By the NEAFA Board
When Rick Zimmerman informed the board last summer of his intentions to “slow down some” and retire his duties as the Executive Director of NEAFA, it gave the board members and long-time staff time to reflect on the many gifts that Rick has given Northeast agriculture over the past forty-plus years. At our upcoming Annual Meeting, we will celebrate all that Rick has done for Northeast agriculture (and continues to do!) as well as shaping the Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance into the organization it is today. We are proud to announce that Rick Zimmerman will be the recipient of NEAFA’s Distinguished Service Award, to be presented at the Annual Meeting Thursday, June 23, 2022.
So let’s reflect on those gifts that Rick has shared with all of us!
The gift of passion for agriculture:
For the past 36 years Rick has been engaged in various roles addressing challenges and issues impacting the agricultural industry.
Andy Dugan, Past President, NEAFA and General Manager, Gold Star Feed and Grain reminisced that “Rick has the highest integrity coupled with a tremendous passion for agriculture.”
As Director of Governmental Relations for New York Farm Bureau for over 13 years, Rick helped ramp up the organization’s lobbying effort to be the effective public policy program that it is today. Rick led the organization to an impressive record of successful legislative achievements including farm property tax reform, workers compensation reform, and protecting farmers from oppressive anti-agricultural proposals.
Clifford Crouch, Former Member of NYS Assembly stated, “Rick is the consummate lobbyist who never missed a step and stated his position clearly.”
The gift of vision for future of agriculture:
While serving as Deputy Commissioner for Economic Development at the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets for more than seven years, Rick successfully developed and implemented programs and services that enhanced the growth and development of New York’s agriculture industry. Programs such as Grow New York, Pride of New York, Agriculture Environmental Management, and Food and Agriculture Industry Development Grants were developed and expanded under his leadership.
Several members of the NEAFA board can remember Rick taking NEAFA’s Executive Director role in 2007. With Rick’s guidance, NEAFA has gone through some remarkable evolution the past 15 years, including:
Update of strategic intent to include education, collaboration, and advocacy as the three key pillars of NEAFA
New look and feel to NEAFA logo and website
Partnership and collaboration with other key organizations in the Northeast, including Pro-Dairy and Northeast Dairy Producers Association.
Increased board and member involvement on committees to execute programs and policy, including communications, government relations, transportation, membership, and conventions
Worked with board to initiate Good Works event at our annual Golf Tournament, raising over $150,000 for use with youth agricultural education events.
Led NEAFA Annual Meeting planning and execution efforts, often pairing the meeting with lobbying efforts in Albany, NY
John Clark, Immediate Past President of NEAFA commented, “Rick is a true professional in all respects. While his lobby efforts are widely known, he should be lauded for his leadership in the growth of NEAFA and specifically the Committee system. Rick facilitated and allowed the Committees to work autonomously and bring their work back to the board. This created a very effective system that advanced the organization as a whole. Rick also worked incredibly hard on the Annual Meeting. The support for the Annual Meeting under Rick’s leadership grew exponentially. He dedicated countless hours to making sure all the details of the Annual Meeting were in place. Under his leadership, the Annual Meetings came off seamlessly. Much of his work was behind the scenes to make this happen. His service is noted and appreciated.”
Julie Suarez with Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences remarked, “Rick has been a forceful and diligent advocate for agricultural business interests in the NYS Capitol throughout many phases of his storied career – from his time at New York Farm Bureau, the Department of Agriculture and Markets, and his private lobbying firm. He helped build NEAFA to a well-established trade association with educational and communications based programs, as well as an effective public policy voice, and his accomplishments will have a long-lasting impact.”
The gift of collaboration with many agricultural organizations:
Rick started his career as manager of his family dairy farm, and staying true to those roots, has done an outstanding job of working with several agricultural organizations to collaborate – whether for lobbying for resources for programs or organizing educational events in partnership with several groups working together with NEAFA, Rick has been the catalyst that saw opportunities with pooling resources among several groups.
Pat Hooker, former New York Commissioner of Agriculture reflected, “Rick may have left his family farm for Albany forty years ago, but he brought his work ethic, dedication and passion for the industry with him.”
In addition to the Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance, Rick’s client list includes:
Biotechnology Innovation Organization
Crop Life America
Farm Credit East
New York Alliance for Environmental Concerns
NYS Vegetable Growers Association
Syngenta Crop Protection
He has been instrumental in many legislative battles involving the NY Farm Bill and multiple aspects of the agriculture industry, working with many of the groups above to successfully lobby and educate stakeholders.
“NEAFA will surely miss Rick’s leadership and communication ability. His knowledge, commitment, and ability to engage the board and membership is unparalleled” commented Rick Grant, past President NEAFA and President, Miner Institute.
Danielle Penney-Stroop, current President of NEAFA said, “I could not have asked for a better mentor, supporter, and friend from day 1 on the NEAFA board, and during my time with LEAD Class 17. I consider myself truly blessed to have collaborated with an unparalleled Agricultural advocate that epitomizes hard work and integrity. I am forever grateful for his encouragement, support and guidance. Congratulations Rick!”
On behalf of the NEAFA board, we are so proud to award this year’s Distinguished Service Award to our retiring Executive Director, largest advocate and friend, Rick Zimmerman. Thank you for your passion, vision and continued collaboration with agriculture in the Northeast!