By Charlie Elrod, Ph.D. , NEAFA V.P.
Sue and the Conventions Committee have been working diligently since this summer to put together a fantastic agenda for the 2025 Annual Meeting to be held February 4th and 5th at the Albany Marriott Hotel. Whether you’re an active member of NEAFA or just an avid reader of the NEAFA News, there will be valuable information and ideas that you can put to work in your day-to-day job.
Whether you’re returning from Lobby Day on Tuesday morning, or just arriving in Albany for the meeting, we’ll kick off the program at 2:00 with an informative panel discussion led by Cornell CALS’ Workforce Specialist, Dr. Rich Stup. The panel will include a variety of panelists who each bring their own unique perspective and expertise to share with attendees. Dana Politis from the NYS Department of Labor will bring her knowledge of local resources available to New York businesses, through regional workforce development offices which can help companies locate, connect and train people to meet their labor needs. Crystal Grimaldi, from Ideal Dairy, will discuss their very progressive approach to managing, training and retaining employees. Ideal does a great job recognizing talent, training employees for advancement and providing an attractive work environment. Shannon Kayhart, from Phoenix Feeds, will focus her comments on the value they have found in turning Phoenix Feeds into an employee-owned company through the formation of an ESOP; an option that should be of great interest to NEAFA members. Lastly, the panel will be rounded out with Anna Richards, of 2020 Consulting. Anna has built 2020 Consulting as broad spectrum business consulting service, offering everything from accounting services to building staffing, growth, financing or succession plans. Under Rich’s expert moderation this will prove to be a highlight of the annual meeting.
Next up, Kristi Krafka, V.P. of Regulatory Affairs at Kemin will provide us with a valuable update on the ever-shifting regulatory environment in which we all work. Given the recent changes in the relationship between AFIA, AAFCO and the FDA this topic should be top-of-mind for any member who works in the feed industry. Marking a change to our typical agenda, this year we’ll have a breakout session in which those interested in feedmill management can hear about new advances in feedmill technology from Dr. Caitlin Evans from AB Vista and a graduate of the renowned Feed Science and Technology program at Kansas State University. Concurrently, our other session will be lead by Larry Van de Valk, Executive Director of LEAD New York, will provide some oversight of what the program is and what benefits can be had through supporting young leaders in your company to participate in LEAD NY.
Wednesday morning will start off with the NEAFA Elections and General Session. NYS Department of Ag & Markets Commissioner Richard Ball will provide some opening remarks followed by the ever popular and insightful Dairy Markets and Outlook from Dr. Chris Wolf. The morning program will be filled out with updates from the NEAFA Sesquicentennial Fellows, Drs. Joe McFadden and Kristan Reed, followed by legislative updates from our NY and VT lobbyists. Finally, before we adjourn to the Awards Luncheon, Leah Wilkinson from AFIA will provide us with an update on broader trends and AFIA priorities impacting the dairy and feed industries.
An annual highlight of this NEAFA meeting is the presentation of the Distinguished Service Award, recognizing one of our own who has consistently given back to our industry through their leadership and involvement. Our keynote speaker, Kim Bremmer from Ag Inspirations, will provide us with practical and readily accessible ways that each of us can tell the story of agriculture, our own businesses and farms to our friends, neighbors or fellow citizens who are increasingly distanced from agriculture. Several of us heard Kim speak at the Mercer Milling Summit this past spring and found great value in her message.
If you haven’t already, visit the Annual Meeting page to register and reserve your hotel room. Lobby day registration is separate and can be signed up for here.