Van Amburgh to Address Animal Ag’s Carbon Footprint at 2020 Annual Meeting

Taking place February 4th and 5th at the Albany Marriott Hotel in Albany, NY, the 2020 NEAFA Annual Meeting’s theme is managing for our future. From legislative meetings to advocate for agricultural needs to a wide array of seminars and speakers, there are topics and discussions that will benefit all of our members. An annual meeting highlight will be Professor of Animal Science Mike Van Amburgh, the Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow and Atkinson Sustainability Fellow at Cornell University. Van Amburgh will be tackling animal agriculture’s carbon footprint along with Chris Noble, the vice president of Noblehurst Farms and Linwood Agriculture.

“I got pretty frustrated when the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) report came out that said cows were killing the planet, because their math was flawed,” said Van Amburgh. While he plans on going into the reasons why in greater detail at the seminar, one major flaw is how people think about cattle in the larger scale of things. “The people that advocate against cattle do not understand the food system and what cattle consume in the process of making milk. At least 30% of the diet of dairy cattle are byproducts of the human food system (soybean meal, canola meal, cottonseed, beet pulp, etc), thus without the cow consuming that our total food costs would be higher, and the environmental impact would be greater.” 

Van Amburgh currently leads the development of the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS). “It’s an old but unique model because we’ve been working off the same framework for 40 years now. I can just about guarantee that NEAFA members use this model or at the very least research derived from it. It’s used to feed 65% of cows in North America. I was in Italy last week for a training session with 83 people from all over the world, including Taiwan and Vietnam. Worldwide, CNCPS is being used to regulate feed by approximately 30% of all cows.”

Looking at the northeast, Van Amburgh sees a lot that agribusiness leaders should be proud of. “We do a really good job in the northeast managing emissions. We have a good industry and of course there’s always room for improvement which we’re doing, but people don’t always realize how sustainable it already is. The hard part is getting that message of environmental responsibility out to the public in an appropriate way. I’m looking forward to the annual meeting and having a chance to get in front of a group of people that work in the field of agriculture and nutrition, so that we can carry on a conversation about all the positive things that we do and the opportunities that we have to improve.”

Legislative Meetings Part of 2020 NEAFA Annual Meeting

Join the Lobbying Team to Advocate for Agriculture!
By Rick Zimmerman, NEAFA Executive Director

NEAFA representatives gathered in February 2019 in the NYS Capitol to advocate for support of programs critical to the viability of NYS animal agriculture. 

The 2020 NEAFA Annual Meeting will include the opportunity to meet with New York State legislators and advocate for agricultural programs essential at keeping the northeastern dairy industry viable and competitive. Programs such as PRO-DAIRY, Integrated Pest Management, Agriculture Environmental Management, and the Farm Viability Institute all require annual state budget approvals for their continuation. It is essential that the agricultural community show up and share their views with legislative leaders.

All NEAFA members are encouraged to participate the morning of Tuesday February 4th. All the relevant details, including meeting appointments, transportation, necessary materials and issues briefing will be taken care of by NEAFA. All you have to do is show up at the Albany Marriott at 9:00 am, Tuesday February 4th, and be prepared to join the team! Reservations to be part of the legislative meetings can be made while registering for the Annual Meeting. Details can be found on the Alliance’s website by clicking here (https://www.northeastalliance.com/upcoming-neafa-events/2020-annual-meeting)

Annual Meeting Speaker Highlight: Kate Downes, NY FarmNet

The 2020 NEAFA Annual Meeting is right around the corner! Taking place February 4th and 5th at the Albany Marriott Hotel in Albany, NY, this year’s theme is managing for our future. With talks taking place with legislators and a wide array of seminars and speakers, there are topics and discussions that will benefit all of our members. The topic “Managing Stress on and off the Farm” will be delivered by Kate Downes, the outreach director at NY FarmNet.

NY FarmNet is based at Cornell University and provides free and confidential counseling for both business and personal needs of farmers and agribusinesses. “We’re best known for our crisis work with farms in financial trouble or farmers dealing with depression, but we do a lot of proactive work as well for farms that are entering a period of transition,” said Downes. “We send both financial and social help teams to farms, because quite often there’s underlying family tension as well when a business is having financial issues. They’re intricately connected, and people don’t always realize that. So, we give people the resources that they need. When we send a team to a farm, they’ll get a numbers person that is familiar with farm business management, and a people person that can work through problems there. It’s why we’re successful in helping farms survive and thrive.”

Downes has worked with NY FarmNet for 3 years now, coordinating the training for NY FarmNet’s consultants as well as giving presentations and tabling at trade shows and events throughout the state. “I was working at Cornell for another program, and I needed a change,” said Downes. “I had lost my uncle to suicide, and looking at what NY FarmNet does, I was like oh my gosh this is so important. Joining this team ended up being a really good fit for me.” At the upcoming annual meeting, Downes is going to focus on stress management and what that means. “I want to talk about stress on the farm, what the signs of stress look like and how to talk about stress with people. My goal is to just give people the language that they may not have so that they can talk about stress and how to ask for help. It’s important to know how to approach that conversation and how to manage stress through different techniques like deep breathing and mindfulness. Farm stress is not an easy thing to talk about, and we need to talk about suicide to destigmatize it. One reason people don’t ask for help is that they’re embarrassed, and I want to let them know they don’t have to be.”

This seminar is the first time that Downes has worked with NEAFA. “I’m really looking forward to connecting with the NEAFA folks because they’re a group that I haven’t personally connected with before,” said Downes. “I want to make sure they know that we’re a reference and a great resource that is free for farmers. NY FarmNet is available 24/7, 365 days a year. And if you call you will always get a real person on the other end - you don’t have to navigate a menu or anything to talk with someone. We all need to work together and support each other. For those that don’t like to call, we also have a contact form on our website that alerts our office.”

The holidays can be a hard and stressful time for many. If you’re struggling, it’s ok and there are people that can help. You can reach NY FarmNet at 1 800-547-3276, or fill out the contact form at www.nyfarmnet.org. The National Suicide Prevention hotline is 1 800-273-8255, and the crisis text line is 741741, just text HOME. For those under 18 in need of help, they can also call the Kids Help Phone at 1 800-668-6868.

NEAFA Congratulates Congress for Passage of USMCA

The Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance (NEAFA) applauds Congress and the President of the United States for finalizing an agreement for the United States Mexico Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA). “The northeastern agricultural industry, particularly the dairy industry, will benefit from a more balanced trading relationship with Canada and Mexico”, Stated John Clark, NEAFA President. “We are optimistic that this important step will usher more successful trade deals with other important trading partners.” 

The agreement will advance United States’ agricultural interests in two of the most important markets for American farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses. USMCA builds upon our existing markets to expand US food and agricultural exports and support food processing and rural jobs. “The agreement includes updates for the dairy industry, a vital requirement for many of NEAFA’s members”, stated Clark. “According to the USDA, America’s dairy farmers will have expanded market opportunities in Canada for a wide variety of dairy products. Specifically, Canada agreed to eliminate the unfair Class 6 and 7 milk pricing programs that allowed their farmers to undersell U.S. producers.”

Moving forward, NEAFA calls for the Senate to quickly pass USMCA. “Every day that Congress fails to pass this important piece of legislation is another day that US agriculture will fall further behind worldwide competition,” said Clark. “We are thankful that this important update to US trade agreements with Canada and Mexico has been reached and look forward to its final passage in the Senate.”

Register Today for AFIA-KSU 500: Fundamentals of Feed Manufacturing

The American Feed Industry Association has opened registration for its winter online feed manufacturing course, conducted in partnership with Kansas State University, Feb. 11 – March 17.

The five-week, "AFIA 500: Fundamentals of Feed Manufacturing" distance education program provides an in-depth understanding of the feed manufacturing process, while allowing participants to work at their own pace and engage in online discussions with other students and university instructors.

The course covers a variety of topics, including: the process flow from particle size reduction, to batching and mixing, conditioning and pelleting, boilers, post-pellet systems, packaging and loadout, and maintenance.

To date, roughly 500 individuals have earned a certificate for completing this course. Program fees are $499 for members and $685 for nonmembers. The deadline to register is Monday, Jan. 27.

KSU is currently the only U.S. university to offer a bachelor of science degree in feed manufacturing and is home to the IGP Institute. For more than 35 years, the IGP Institute has established a worldwide reputation as a center of excellence for international programs related to flour milling and grain processing, feed manufacturing and grain quality management, and grain marketing and risk management focused on corn, grain sorghum, soybeans and wheat. The courses are taught by a diverse blend of individuals from KSU and within the feed and allied industries and provide in-depth training on all aspects related to feed manufacturing.

Visit the course website for more information and to register. Course size is limited, so be sure to register early!

Delaney Howell to Highlight NEAFA 2020 Annual Meeting

Delaney Howell will be leading the 2020 NEAFA Annual Meeting, February 4-5th in Albany, NY.

The Northeast Agribusiness & Feed Alliance (NEAFA) is featuring Delaney Howell, co-host of Iowa Public Radio’s Market to Market, at their 2020 NEAFA Annual Meeting and Forum at the Albany Marriott Hotel from February 4-5, 2020. The event is a fantastic way to network and hear from excellent speakers on the forum theme: Managing for our Future. 

This year's forum will take on many prevailing issues affecting modern day agriculture. “Managing for our future is essential  for our industry as we continue to experience tremendous internal and external challenges,” stated Conventions Committee Chair, Mark Anderson. “Industry consolidation, trade wars, low commodity prices, and climate change are a few of the issues that will be addressed by an outstanding lineup of speakers.  Our Annual Forum is open to all who are interested in being part of the discussions.”

The event will be lead by ag radio host Delaney Howell and will include a variety of different speakers. Howell is well known for her roles on Market to Market, This Week in Agribusiness and Agri-Pulse. She grew up on a family feedlot farm in Southeast Iowa, and has been involved in agriculture from a very young age. Howell holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Agricultural Sciences and minors in Broadcasting and International Studies from Northwest Missouri State University and a Master's in Agricultural Communications through Texas Tech University.

Other notables at the upcoming annual meeting include Richard A. Ball, the New York commissioner of agriculture will be addressing the current state of agriculture and markets. Joining the commissioner will be Christopher Wolf, Professor of Agriculture Economics at Cornell University as well as Mike VanAmburgh, Professor of Animal Science at Cornell University. Chris Noble, the Vice President of Linwood Agriculture and Noblehurst Farms. Several industry topical seminars will be offered Tuesday afternoon, February 4th. 

Registration and sponsorship information can be found through the NEAFA website at northeastalliance.com or by clicking here.

NEAFA Meets with New England Ag Commissioners; Neonics a Common Topic

by Rick Zimmerman, NEAFA Executive Director

New Hampshire agriculture commissioner When Jasper, center, meets with NEAFA representatives Andy Dugan, Art Whitman and Rick Zimmerman. AFIA's Louise Calderwood joined the delegation that also travelled to Massachusetts and Maine.

Working with state government leaders throughout the northeast is a priority for the Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance (NEAFA). NEAFA put this objective into action earlier this month when a NEAFA leadership team road tripped from Boston, MA, to Concord, NH, and finally to Augusta, ME, to meet with state commissioners of agriculture. This annual event fortifies working relationships and demonstrates our collaboration with state agricultural organizations. This year’s trip allowed us to meet two relatively new agriculture commissioners: Shawn Jasper of New Hampshire, Amanda Beal of Maine, and Massachusetts’ John Lebeaux, who is entering his fifth year in office. All three commissioners were very interested in what we had to say.

Andy Dugan, Chair of the NEAFA Government Relations Committee, travelled with Past Chair Art Whitman, Louise Calderwood of the American Feed Industry Association, and NEAFA Executive Director Rick Zimmerman for two days of meetings, miles and meals. They were joined by state-based national agribusiness company representatives in Boston and Concord, who complimented the discussions. Together, NEAFA and these industry leaders talked about the importance of the agribusiness industries in each respective state and invited the commissioners to tour our facilities. While the conversations were wide ranging, inevitably discussions focused on neonicotinoid pesticides.

Nine U.S. state legislatures, including four in the northeast, have either enacted or are considering bills to address the complex issue of pollinator health, including the presumed impact of neonicotinoid pesticides. Neonicotinoids became commercially available in the late 1990s, and by 2014 virtually all corn and about a third of the U.S. soybean acreage was planted with neonicotinoid-treated seeds due to their perceived safety and efficacy. Recent studies have implicated this class of pesticides as a contributing cause to the decline in pollinators nationwide.

Several northeastern states are considering a wide variety of approaches to limit the use of neonicotinoid pesticides. The New York Senate Environmental Conservation Committee for example, is considering a bill that proposes to prohibit all use of atrazine, metalaxyl and neonicotinoids. Legislation currently in the Massachusetts Committee on Ways and Means proposes neonicotinoids to be registered as restricted use pesticides.

Some states have already enacted legislation to increase regulatory oversight of neonicotinoid use. In 2017, Connecticut passed legislation requiring development of best practices to minimize the airborne release of neonicotinoid insecticide dust from treated seeds. The following year, Vermont pass legislation into law that requires some forms of neonicotinoids to be registered as restricted use pesticides. Unlike Massachusetts, agricultural uses in Vermont are exempt from oversight by the new law.

NEAFA supports effective science-based pest control methods that pose minimal risk to pollinator communities. Integrated pest management programs are essential to assist farmers as they adopt best practices to protect their crops and minimize the impact of pesticides on pollinators.  

Bees are exposed to many different stresses, not just pesticides, and therefore it is important to consider all the relevant threats when considering public policies attempting to address pollinator decline. In addition, it is important to take into consideration the impacts of alternative pesticides, many that are more environmentally hazardous, that farmers may be forced to use if neonicotinoids become unavailable. This is the message that we delivered to Commissioners Lebeaux, Jasper, and Beal, and it is timely guidance given the status of the debate in their respective states.

Advocate, Collaborate, Educate: NEAFA’s primary objectives in action in New England this month.

NEAFA Member Highlight: Tom Wheeler, Carolina Eastern-Crocker

Tom Wheeler (L) and Bill Crocker (R) of Carolina Eastern Crocker have been serving western New York agriculture community together since 1999.

Tom Wheeler has been at the helm of Carolina Eastern-Crocker (CEC) in western New York as its general manager since it was established in 1999 as a joint effort between Bill Crocker and Carolina Eastern, based out of Charleston, South Carolina. “We run all of the operations in Western NY, and Carolina Eastern supplies us our fertilizer inputs. Both companies have been family owned for three generations as well.”

Wheeler worked with Crocker for three years before CEC came to be. “CEC has three locations currently,” said Wheeler. “Our LeRoy location was originally founded by the Crocker family in 1930 to service the local agricultural community, which is where I started at in 1996. In 2003 we expanded to Stafford, NY, which is where our central offices are now, and in 2017 we opened another facility in Pavilion, NY. We currently cover all of Western New York from the border with Lake Ontario to Pennsylvania.” CEC serves on NEAFA’s Agronomy Committee, through employee and certified commercial applicator Joe Augello.

The company provides numerous products and services to the region. “We have dry and liquid fertilizers, organic fertilizers from our Pavilion location, crop protection products, agricultural lime, gypsum, and seeds,” said Wheeler. “We also provide custom application and spraying of fertilizers, including variable rate application, and we sell fine ground corn meal among the numerous other services and products that we offer.”

Wheeler himself comes from a long agricultural background, growing up with a small registered Holstein herd and graduating from Alfred State College with a degree in Animal Science. Being there since the start of CEC in 1999, Wheeler has seen continued expansion and growth that has improved what the company has to offer its customers. “We’ve grown dramatically from our early days here at CEC,” said Wheeler. “We started as a small company that had one road tractor, one 6 wheel auger delivery truck for fertilizer, and only 2-3 trucks that first year in our original LeRoy location. Now we have 13 road tractors and 10 auger trucks, plus a number of seasonal rentals for both, over 25 trailers, delivery trucks and employ approximately forty full time and thirty seasonal staff members. We’ve grown dramatically in all aspects, from our fertilizer options and corn meal, they’ve all grown dramatically. CEC is now one of the largest Pioneer Seed dealers in the northeast.

Through it all, Wheeler has found the camaraderie of the industry to be something that he enjoys. “The people that you meet is a great part of working here,” said Wheeler. “You develop relationships and friendships with your customers while working with farmers to make their businesses better, and it’s nice to see them do well because of our help.”

NEAFA 2020 Annual Meeting: Managing for our Future

K-State’s Chad Paulk to Address Feed Mill Biosecurity

As the winter season continues its march on the Northeast, the Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance (NEAFA) is busy preparing for the 2020 annual meeting on February 4th and 5th at the Albany Marriott Hotel in Albany, NY. This year, the annual meeting’s theme is managing for our future. With legislative appointments and a wide array of seminars and speakers, there’s something that will benefit all of our members. This month, learn more about the first seminar of the annual meeting, delivered by Chad Paulk, an assistant professor at Kansas State University’s Grain Science Department and their Feed Science Group. Paulk’s discussion will focus on feed mill biosecurity and ingredient traceability.

With an area of expertise that focuses on animal food safety, Paulk will focus on biosecurity issues within feed mills. “We’ve learned a lot about disease survivability in feed ingredients at feed mills,” said Paulk. “My goal is to share my experiences, and how animal food safety has played a role in the dairy industry. I hope to provide an insight into how it could influence the industry in the future.”

Paulk has taught at Kansas State for three years, and previously taught at Texas A&M’s Department of Animal Science for 2.5 years. “I’ve always had an interest in improving food production, and during my studies I learned of the importance of feed in its role for safety and the efficiency of production,” said Paulk. “I’ve focused since then on collecting data that can be used by those in agriculture so that they can improve their decision making. We target the biggest questions that producers may have and help them solve those problems.”

This is the first time that Paulk has worked with NEAFA and its membership, and Paulk is looking forward to expanding discussions on food safety to include the industries in the Northeast. “I’m interested to learn about the feed manufacturing practices in the northeast, and if biosecurity is on their radar,” said Paulk. “As well as what they’re doing to implement that at the mill level, and what some of their biggest concerns and needs are. I think this will be a great opportunity to continue our discussions to include more of the feed industry’s needs.”

Cornell Nutrition Conference: The Annual Tradition Continues to Serve the Industry

The 2019 and the 81st Annual Cornell Nutrition Conference (CNC) took place last month in Syracuse, NY, with approximately 550 people learning and networking together to serve the animal agriculture industry. The Northeastern Agribusiness and Feed Alliance (NEAFA) was happy to take part in this longtime tradition that attracts people from around the globe. “NEAFA’s longstanding relationship with the Cornell College of Animal Life Sciences (CALS), and specifically their Animal Science Department, is something that we work diligently to maintain and strengthen,” said NEAFA President John Clark. “We are fortunate to have leaders like the CNC Committee, particularly Larry Chase, Tom Overton, Mike VanAmburgh and most recently Joe McFadden and Kristan Reed that consistently work to strengthen and empower agriculture in the northeast.”

Fifteen different papers were presented at the conference, and according to Larry Chase of Cornell University, the conference typically draws attendees from the US, Canada, and five to seven foreign countries. Chase retired from Cornell in 2014 but continues to help coordinate the conference by staying on the CNC’s program committee. Chase spoke on several different topics throughout the 2.5-day program, something that he has done yearly since 1975. Chase was kind enough to provide NEAFA with some historical background about the CNC, and the topics that it has covered since its inception in 1938, itself an expansion of a program run by the Cornell Poultry Nutrition School in 1934 through 1937.

“The CNC has evolved as our feed industry, animal production industries and faculty resources have changed,” said Chase. “The early conferences had a broad range of topics including farm economics, human nutrition and talks covering a wide range of animal species including dairy, beef, sheep, swine, fish, horses, poultry and pets such as dogs and cats. These talks represented the range of responsibilities that our conference participants worked with on a daily basis in their jobs. These topics were covered by a wide range of Cornell faculty and invited outside speakers. Over time, the focus of the conference has shifted to being primarily dairy related with a few papers on other species. A primary reason for this shift is that the job responsibilities of our participants are primarily dairy nutrition and management related.”

The conference is organized by the program committee, overseen by a general chairman, and a rotating program chair each year. “A rotation system is used for a Program Chairman each year that is responsible for putting together the program topics and speakers,” Said Chase. “Another significant change has been designating one of our office professionals to assist with conference logistical details on a continuing basis. These individuals (Dee Brothers, Robin Huizinga, Heather Fredenburg, Lorissa Haines, Karen Holcomb and Heather Darrow) have made significant contributions to the success of CNC. They quickly develop a rapport with our conference participants and sponsors. The conference runs smoothly primarily due to their efforts.” 

While many important papers and topics have been discussed at CNC throughout the years, one from 2009 in particular stuck out to Chase. The paper in question? Sauropod dinosaurs and gigantism: a report of an international conference – P. J. Van Soest – 2009 CNC. “This paper was a report from an international conference held in Germany in 2008,” said Chase. “Dr. Van Soest touched on subjects including homeothermy, blood pressure, types of plants consumed by herbivorous dinosaurs, gut microorganisms and fiber retention time. Since no direct measures were available for these in dinosaurs, speculations on some of these areas were made using large contemporary herbivores (elephants and rhinos).”

For those that missed CNC, consider taking the Feed Dealer Seminars scheduled for December. “This series of programs was initiated in 1946 at the request of the New York State Feed Dealer’s Association,” said Chase. “The goal was to provide training and information to feed industry representatives at the local level that were unable to attend CNC. This series of seminars continues today at 8 locations throughout New York and Vermont.” NEAFA is co-hosting the December 11th Middlebury VT. program, and details for all the seminars can be found by clicking here. Or check out the ad for the December 11th Dairy Nutrition Conference posted in the NEAFA News monthly newsletter.

John's Jottings

Fall is in full swing, and our customers are in the midst of their harvest. They deserve our thoughts & prayers for a safe and bountiful harvest. Taking a moment to be safe and encourage others to do the same can save lives, limbs, and more.

One of the important annual fall events for the animal nutrition industry took place recently. The 81st Annual Cornell Nutrition Conference is rich in tradition and gathers approximately 500 people in Syracuse to spend 2.5 days learning and networking with others. NEAFA’s longstanding relationship with the Cornel College of Animal Life Sciences (CALS), and specifically their Animal Science Department, is something that we work diligently to maintain and strengthen. We are fortunate to have leaders like the CNC Committee, particularly Larry Chase, Tom Overton, Mike VanAmburgh and most recently Joe McFadden and Kristan Reed. Thank you to Heather Darrow who does an amazing job coordinating the whole event.

Autumn also brings the hope and anticipation of planning for next year. In the case of our customers, even before the full crop has been harvested, they are gathering information and planning for spring planting. How much, where, and what crops will be planted. It amazes me the information that is now available that literally fits in the palm of their hand.

NEAFA is currently putting the final touches on our Annual Meeting plans, which is scheduled for Feb 4th and 5th at the Albany, NY Marriott. A great speaker lineup is coming together to address the wide-ranging interests of our members. Keynote speakers include Chris Wolf, Cornell’s new Professor of Applied Economics and Policy, and Delaney Howell, the host of Ag News Daily.

Speaking of the NEAFA Annual Meeting… Have you signed up to show your support for NEAFA and the work it does to represent our integral industry in New England & New York?

NEAFA prioritizes three main objectives: advocacy, collaboration, and education. We work as a voice representing you in state capitals from Augusta to Albany, as well as in Washington DC. NEAFA collaborates with numerous groups, including feed and grain associations such as AFIA, NGFA, VT Feed Dealers and NYSABA, or at the producer level with groups like NEDPA, Farm Bureau, and others. NEAFA also collaborates with land grant institutions to help advance the efforts of PRO-DAIRY for example. Continuing education is important as well, and is demonstrated each spring with the Herd Health Conferences and the New England Dairy Conferences.

NEAFA will continue to be a strong voice for agriculture and specifically the feed industry, but we can only do that with your help. That means becoming a member and annually renewing your membership. My good friend and fellow Board Member Jeff Matuszczak, says it best: “We need to remember we are all in this together. We need to consider if we don’t stand up to be counted, who will?” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

NEAFA needs your continued support as we act as your voice and provide professional services. The future is uncertain, but to help manage those ambiguities, organizations like NEAFA can help. We hope to see you in Albany this upcoming February 4-5. You will come away knowing more about our industry and related ones, feeling refreshed and enthused. It’s your industry, and you make it a little better by being part of it.

John’s Jottings out for now.

John

Rene Lorenzo Lavoie 1941- 2019

The Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance (NEAFA) is sorry to announce the passing of industry paragon Rene Lorenzo Lavoie on September 24th, 2019. “Over the past few years we’ve lost many who worked hard and made a difference in this industry,” said NEAFA President John Clark.  “Rene would be among those who made contributions both to the companies he worked for and the trade associations he had a passion to represent. While working in the industry with Rene, I found that he was always welcoming and eager to embrace changes that would improve his business and the industry as a whole. He will be deeply missed by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing and working with him.”

Reproduced below is Lavoie’s obituary from buhrig.com.

Rene Lorenzo Lavoie, age 78, of Mechanicsburg, and formerly a longtime resident of Newburg, passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2019.  Rene was born on Wednesday, July 2, 1941 in Richford, VT to the late Lorenzo Lavoie and Irene Marie (LaFountaine) Lavoie.  Rene was the widower of Charity Ann (Wright) Lavoie, whom he married on June 9, 1962, and who died on April 15, 2011.  In addition to his parents and wife, Rene is preceded in death by his son, William Lucian Lavoie; and his two brothers: Peter Lavoie and Richard Lavoie.

Rene’s survivors include his wife, Catherine “Eileen” Eileen Knott-Lavoie; his three children: Rene L. Lavoie, II and his wife, Lisa, of Canastota, NY, Amy L. Crisp and her husband, Ron, of Winterville, NC, Marcie L. McCardell and her husband, Michael, of Mechanicsburg; his ten grandchildren: Andrea, Scott, Amber, Gregory, Matthew, Lyndsay, Joshua, Whitney, Amanda, Jason; his four great-grandchildren: Lana, Tyler, Brylee, Kallie; his daughter-in-law, Katherine Lavoie of New York; his five siblings: Stephen Lavoie and his wife, Carolyn, of West Virginia, Shirley Wright and her husband, Larry, of New Hampshire, Mary Thompson of Vermont, Jane Thompson and her husband, Tom, of Vermont, Barbara Lavoie of Vermont; and several nieces and nephews.

Rene grew up in a small farming community in Vermont where he graduated from Richford High School as part of the class of 1959 and from Kansas State University in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in feed technology.  He was one of the first graduating students to proudly receive that degree.  After graduation, he returned to his roots and dedicated his life to serving the dairy industry.  Rene dedicated his life to his career in the feed industry. He loved the smell of cow manure, and always said it “smells like money”.  Rene retired from Cumberland Valley Cooperative Association in Shippensburg, after many years of service working as a general manager.  He was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Mechanicsburg and a former member of Our Lady of the Visitation Church in Shippensburg, where Rene did lots of volunteering.  He was always giving back to the community and also volunteered with Carlisle Cares and Meals on Wheels.  Rene served as past president of both PennAg Industries Association in Harrisburg and Eastern Federation of Feed Merchants.  He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, where he served as a Grand Navigator.  Rene also enjoyed going antiquing with his late wife, Charity, square dancing, making people laugh, cooking, and dining at nice restaurants.   The most important thing to him was family.  Rene enjoyed spending time with his family and he cherished the memories they made together throughout the years.

Contributions in celebration of Rene’s life can be made to the Diocese of St. Thomas and the Virgin Island, P.O. Box 301825, 29A Princesse Gade, St. Thomas VI 00803-1825, US Virgin Island or to any charity of the donor’s choosing.

Rene’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Rene’s full obituary, view his memorial video, and sign his official guest book at Buhrig.com.

NEAFA Board Meets at Cornell with Faculty, World Leaders

By Rick Zimmerman, NEAFA Executive Director

The Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance Board of Directors had the opportunity to hear from Cornell faculty and administration leaders during the September 26th  Board meeting at Morrison Hall, the Cornell Department of Animal Science’s headquarters.

NEAFA board members gather with Alliance for Science Global Leadership Fellows following the September 26th board meeting where the fellows presented their stories on the importance of sound science in policy decisions driving their country’s ability to feed their citizens.

The meeting focused on committee updates, approval of legislative priorities, and reports from Cornell faculty members. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Associate Dean Beth Ahner kicked off the presentations with an update and outlook of the College’s plans for the department of animal science. Dr. Tom Overton, the newly appointed chair of the department, joined the conversation, expressing his optimism towards addressing several ongoing challenges, including reestablishing the Animal Science Advisory Committee. The NEAFA Board pledged their ongoing support to work with Cornell to assure that their animal science program remains one of the best in the world. 

Newly hired faculty members, Joe McFadden and Kristan Reed, both NEAFA Partner Sesquicentennial Fellows, briefed the board on their current research projects.  “Both of these new faculty members hit the ground running when they arrived at Cornell,” stated John Clark, NEAFA President.  “NEAFA’s successful campaign to raise $1 million to seed these two faculty positions is paying off in spades as Reed and McFadden complement the Animal Science Department, and their work is on point to addressing dairy cattle nutrition issues.” Reed is also serving on the NEAFA Board of Directors. 

Naboho David an Alliance for Science Global Leadership Fellow from Burkina Faso in west Africa, speaks to board members about his desire to collaborate with US farmers on animal breeding and feeding strategies.

Another topic during the meeting was the Global Leadership Fellow (GLF) program from Cornell’s Alliance for Science. Three current fellows briefed the NEAFA board on their background and purpose for becoming a GLF. Cornell’s Alliance for Science is a group focused on growing the role of sound, peer reviewed science in public policy discussions and consumer based decisions throughout the world. The GLF program is a 12-week intensive training course held on the Cornell University campus. It is designed to equip and empower emerging international leaders who are committed to advocating for science-based communications and access to scientific innovation in their home countries. NEAFA’s Good Works Program is proud to help support the GLF program. 

NEAFA’s next board meeting is scheduled for December 9th, 2019, via webinar, and will focus on continuing the many programs advancing our mission objectives of advocacy, collaboration and education.  

Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development Council Hosts New York Labor Roadshow III, November 18-22, 2019

As a member of the Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development Council, the Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance (NEAFA) urges our members to attend the upcoming New York Labor Roadshow III, so they can be aware of numerous and significant changes in store for their farmer customers.  The cost of the roadshow is $55 per person, payable at the door.

The roadshow will touch on a number of topics, including compliance with wage and hour laws and how to balance overtime and Day-of-Rest requirements. Also covered will be insurance updates for disability, paid family leave, and employment practices liability. Other topics include understanding unions and labor organizing, managing the collective bargaining process, the increasing importance of farm supervisors, preventing sexual harassment and the recent updates to the New York law, compliance priorities and enforcement plans for 2020, as well as the NYS Department of Labor Industry Quality Assurance Program Updates.

For more information or to sign up, click here.

Dates and Locations:

• November 18. Genesee Community College-Batavia Campus, One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020-9704. Room T119 Lecture Hall, Conable Technology Building.

• November 19. The Lodge at Hidden Valley Animal Adventure, 2887 Royce Rd, Varysburg, NY 14167.

• November 20. Ramada by Wyndham, 21000 NY State Rt 3, Watertown, NY 13601

• November 21. Hilton Garden Inn Clifton Park, 30 Clifton Country Road, Clifton Park, NY, 12065

• November 22. Cayuga‐Onondaga BOCES, 1879 West Genesee Street Rd, Auburn, NY 13021. Conference Room 1, 2, 3.

NEAFA Member Highlight: Jenny Mills

Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance Board of Directors member Jenny Mills has been a part of the agricultural fabric of the Northeast since she was a child, growing up on a dairy farm in central New York. Mills currently works as the strategic marketing dairy industry lead for Provimi North America, the premix and nutrition business subsidiary of Cargill. Prior to that, Mills worked for Elanco Animal Health for fifteen years, straight from graduating from Cornell University with a masters in calf nutrition in 2004.

Mills’ love of agriculture comes from her desire to help feed the world. “Working to help improve dairy feeding practices and provide education to the agricultural industry in general is all about feeding the world,” said Mills. “There’s going to be about 2 billion more people by 2050, and we have to figure out how to feed them on the same resources we have today.”

At Provimi, Mills works with dairy innovations. “We work to see how do we bring these innovations to the market, make business plans, create sales, etc. to execute this,” said Mills. “We work to improve feed nutrition and create digital technology to allow nutritionists to increase efficiency and have access to the most current information possible.”

While at Elanco, Mills joined NEAFA in 2004, and became a board member approximately 10 years ago. “I really enjoy working with the people in agriculture and the feed industry, as well as serving the industry by helping to promote NEAFA’s core pillars,” said Mills. “Through advocacy, education and collaboration, I enjoy working across all parts of the industry to promote what NEAFA is all about.”

As a board member for NEAFA, Mills is the chair of the communications committee. “I enjoy getting to know all of the different members at NEAFA, learn about their businesses, and then representing them and working with NEAFA to advocate to the state legislature on agriculture’s behalf. Working on the communications committee, I feel that we’ve really brought the brand forward by working on social media, our newsletter, and getting information on the industry out to non-members. There’s always room to improve and continuing to promote our key issues throughout the northeast and beyond.”

Mills still lives in central N.Y with her husband, who is also in the dairy industry. They have two children, Lily and Logan, and both are involved with 4H as well as the Junior Holstein Association. Lily was also the bronze medalist in the juvenile girls figure skating category at the US Figure skating championships this year. Her brother Logan enjoys playing basketball and trainining in taekwondo. “We try to make sure they have a good dose of both agriculture and non-agricultural activities growing up.”

Feed Ingredient Trading Corporation Founder Rich Casler Announces Retirement

Rich Casler, Chairman of the Feed Ingredient Trading Corporation’s (FITC) Board of Directors, has announced his retirement from the company that he co-founded with Tom O’Connell 31.5 years ago. Casler has handed the reins of the business to Greg McCulloch, the new majority shareholder as well as a long-time employee and part owner of FITC over the years. 

After 43 years in the agriculture and feed industry, Casler is looking forward to spending more time with his family and to travel more. “I will have nothing but fond memories of all these years,” said Casler. “The industry attracts honest, hardworking people, and I have been privileged to know an awful lot of them.  I will miss dealing with each of you given the relationship we have built over the years.”

Casler is a charter member and long-time leader of the Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance where he served as secretary, executive committee member and bylaws expert. Rich was honored with NEAFA’s Distinguished Service Award in 2017.

Casler will remain involved with FITC going forward, as he was elected to the board of directors by the new shareholders as the new chairman. “My role here will be to provide insight and perspective to the new owners from an “old geezer’s” point of view,” said Casler. “To see if anything I have learned over these years might be useful to the new team here at FITC for the next 15 months.” 

NEAFA Announces New Affiliate Membership Program

The Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance (NEAFA) Membership Committee and Board of Directors recently added a new category of membership focused on academic and agricultural extension personnel. Members are encouraged to share this new opportunity with those they know that could benefit from being a NEAFA member.

“The new membership category has numerous benefits for academics, cooperative extension professionals and other agricultural supporters”, stated Membership Committee Chair Corwin Holtz “The membership committee wanted to provide a lower priced membership option for those professionals who work tirelessly to support the agriculture industry through their research, education and outreach efforts. NEAFA values the expertise of our academic and extension colleagues and we want give these industry leaders the opportunity to be part of our organization and participate on our committees.”

This membership category does not provide for annual meeting voting rights, but NEAFA welcomes affiliate members to become active committee members, support sponsored programs, and be part of the overall support for the agribusiness community. Affiliate members will also receive the NEAFA newsletter, which keeps members up to date on programs, activities, and agricultural issues that NEAFA is addressing on a regional and national basis.

To join the Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance, please click here.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out directly to Membership Committee Chair Corwin Holtz at holtz296@outlook.com, or to NEAFA Executive Director Rick Zimmerman at rzimmerman@zga-llc.com.

John’s Jottings: Threats? Opportunities? Friends? A Look at the Current Climate in Agriculture

by John Clark, NEAFA President

I must admit, that like for many others recently, life has come at me full tilt the past few weeks. Our upcoming Board Meeting, several active committee meetings, and the work that “pays the bills” has taken my focus off of contemplating an appropriate article for this month’s newsletter.

It’s a struggle not focusing on the negatives that we face currently as an industry. The continued business threats that exist for myself, customers, friends, and the associates that I have the distinct privilege of working with. Labor issues, trade wars, low commodity prices, droughts, floods, regulations, and the continued loss of honest hard-working dairy farm families that were excellent stewards of the land for generations. It can all be hard to take in. And yet we must come to peace with these obstacles, look for the positives in life and move forward from there.

There are plenty of positives in life, and support from new and old friends alike helps us move past the negatives that we all must continue to face. For me, our new intern Marie has been a small blessing. Working for us part time while still milking cows at home, she brings youth, enthusiasm, and a different view point on dairy to my world. It’s the proverbial breath of fresh air. Old friends help lift my spirits as well, people that I’ve counted on for years to share my thoughts, concerns, and joys in life with. Rene sharing his work at the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) and spending time sharing what DFA means to the producers and the whole community. Sharing that their goal is to provide a market for producer’s milk – it’s just beautiful in its simplicity. And new friends like NEAFA’s new member Michael Howlett, are a help as well. Despite Howlett’s frenetic travel schedule to DC and back, he found time to share his philosophy of, “we don’t make farmers be price takers. We operate this way – when a farmer calls we connect them with an end user.” Again, simplicity brings success. I encourage you to take the time to reach out to the friends and colleagues in your world. You’ll find a wealth of knowledge, and people generous enough with their time to share it.

If you’re struggling with connecting with friends and colleagues that understand the difficulties you’re facing, NEAFA provides a platform in numerous formats to help network with people and meet them. Help your friends and colleagues that can benefit from this by spreading the word about signing up to become a member. Corwin Holtz, the chair of our membership committee, is ready and waiting to help with that. Secondly, attend our Annual Meeting on February 4-5, 2020 in Albany, NY at the Albany Marriott Hotel. I enjoy the Annual Meeting precisely because of the people it brings together that we don’t get a chance to see on a daily basis. It is a great, relaxed place to recharge, to learn about the industry, to gather trends and yes, make new friends and catch up with old ones. If you’ve never been or if you’ve been to every one of the NEAFA’s past 15 meetings, you can benefit. Stay tuned for details.

Dealing with the changes in the markets, the friends above have helped me navigate it. They share their knowledge and expertise. Listening to Rene, I learned what a tremendous reach DFA has, and how its members have great tools to work with. While they see strength in the market, they also see continued consolidation. For the commodity complex that Michael deals with, he sees strength in the market price. More importantly he sees the best farm managers preparing for the long term. He sees that long term producers will work hard to have margins and not eat into their equity.

To our members, thank you for being friends, for your hard work, and your continued involvement with the issues that our industry faces. Hopefully we will see you at the Cornell Nutrition Conference, our Annual Meeting, or sometime in between.

John’s Jottings over and out.

EPA officially repeals Obama-era WOTUS rule

Corps and EPA also codify regulatory patchwork created under differing court decisions.

by Jacqui Fatka

Editor’s note: The following article has been republished courtesy of Feedstuffs. The original article can be found here.

At an event Thursday afternoon in Washington, D.C., the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers formally repealed the 2015 rule that expanded the definition of “waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The agencies are also recodifying the long-standing and familiar regulatory text that existed prior to the 2015 rule, thus ending a regulatory patchwork that required implementing two competing Clean Water Act regulations and created regulatory uncertainty across the U.S.

The rule is the first step — Step 1 — in a two-step rule-making process to define the scope of “waters of the U.S.” that are regulated under the Clean Water Act. Step 1 provides regulatory certainty as to the definition of such waters following years of litigation surrounding the 2015 WOTUS rule under the Barack Obama Administration. The two federal district courts that have reviewed the merits of the 2015 rule found that it suffered from certain errors and issued orders remanding the 2015 rule back to the agencies. Multiple other federal district courts have preliminarily enjoined the 2015 rule pending a decision on its merits.

R.D. James, assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works, said he and EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler "signed a final rule that repeals the 2015 rule and restores the previous regulatory regime exactly how it existed prior to finalization of the 2015 rule. Before this final rule, a patchwork of regulations existed across the country as a result of various judicial decisions enjoining the 2015 rule. This final rule re-establishes national consistency across the country by returning all jurisdictions to the long-standing regulatory framework that existed prior to the 2015 rule, which is more familiar to the agencies, states, tribes, local governments, regulated entities and the public while the agencies engage in a second rule-making to revise the definition of ‘waters of the United States.’”

EPA stated that the two agencies identified procedural errors that warranted a repeal of the 2015 rule. For example, they said the rule did not implement the legal limits on the scope of the agencies’ authority under the Clean Water Act intended by Congress and reflected in Supreme Court cases. The agencies added that the 2015 rule failed to adequately recognize, preserve and protect the primary responsibilities and rights of states to manage their own land and water resources.

The WOTUS rule also approached the limits of the agencies’ constitutional and statutory authority absent a clear statement from Congress. Meanwhile, it also suffered from certain procedural errors and a lack of adequate record support as it relates to the 2015 rule’s distance-based limitations, the agencies said in a statement.

With this final repeal, the agencies will implement the pre-2015 regulations, which are currently in place in more than half of the states, informed by applicable agency guidance documents and consistent with Supreme Court decisions and long-standing agency practice. The final rule takes effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

In December 2018, EPA and the Corps proposed a new definition — Step 2 — that would clearly define where federal jurisdiction begins and ends, in accordance with the Clean Water Act and Supreme Court precedent. In the proposal, the agencies provided a clear definition of the difference between federally regulated waterways and those waters that rightfully remain solely under state authority.

Barb Glenn, chief executive officer of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), welcomed the repeal but said the work is not done. “As the EPA and Army Corps continue developing a replacement WOTUS rule, adding a physical indicator standard will help ensure landowners are provided with the necessary certainty. We look forward to working with our federal partners to achieve our shared goals of protecting our nation’s water resources and defining clear federal boundaries,” Glenn said in a statement.

House Agriculture Committee ranking member Michael Conaway (R., Texas) commended the Trump Administration for repealing the “land grab” attempted under the Obama Administration through its WOTUS regulation. “WOTUS attempted to stretch the reaches of federal power under the Clean Water Act from navigable and interstate waters, which are rightly protected, to encompass ditches, playas, stock ponds and literally any body of water – regardless of how small or temporary the water may be. The Trump Administration’s efforts to bring the scope of EPA’s regulatory activity back to interstate and navigable waters not only ensures that EPA’s mission comports with Supreme Court rulings but also applies a commonsense understanding of what constitutes waters of the U.S., providing legal certainty to all Americans,” Conaway said in a statement.

Agricultural groups welcomed the action by the current Administration.

The American Farm Bureau Federation conducted a multiyear effort to raise awareness of what it viewed as overreaching provisions on thousands of its members.

“No regulation is perfect, and no rule can accommodate every concern, but the 2015 rule was especially egregious. We are relieved to put it behind us. We are now working to ensure a fair and reasonable substitute that protects our water and our ability to work and care for the land,” Farm Bureau president Zippy Duvall said.

"We're pleased the EPA is moving towards a commonsense WOTUS rule that works with — not against — farmers to protect our nation's waterways," said National Pork Producers Council president David Herring, a pork producer from Lillington, N.C. "The previous WOTUS rule was a dramatic government overreach and an unprecedented expansion of federal authority over private lands. Today's action will remove the threat that the 2015 WOTUS rule posed for our ability to efficiently grow the amount of food needed by people around the globe while providing regulatory certainty to our farmers and businesses. We look forward to working with this administration to finally implement a new WOTUS rule."

Citing the many ambiguities and uncertainties of EPA’s proposal for what became the 2015 rule, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) had at that time urged EPA to rethink it in 2014. In its analysis, NMPF found that the EPA and Corps proposal did not meet the requirements of various Supreme Court rulings that were the catalyst for the 2015 regulation.

“NMPF is pleased to see the 2015 WOTUS rule officially repealed and remains committed to working with the EPA as they draft the new WOTUS definition,” NMPF said in a statement.

Chad Gregory, president and CEO of the United Egg Producers (UEP), welcomed the actions, saying, “UEP had opposed the elements of the 2015 WOTUS rule that claimed jurisdiction that was far too broad and inserted federal agency regulatory controls over largely dry water courses and wet areas that are too remote from anything that is navigable to warrant coverage under federal law. The 2015 rule’s wide claim of jurisdiction added nothing to benefit remote waters, but it did create confusion and unneeded burdens on people in rural areas."

Dean Webster Obituary: Industry Leader Leaves Legacy of Good Works

Long time feed industry leader Dean K. Webster, died on August 24, 2019 following many decades of service to his family, his community and to the northeast agriculture industry. “Working for and with Dean Webster was definitely my honor and privilege,” said NEAFA member Mike Smith of Feed Ingredient Trading Corporation. “Dean was the face of Blue Seal Feeds, and before that H. K. Webster for many years. He was honorable, honest, and strong, and quite often the voice of reason.  His loss is a loss for all of us.”

Former NEAFA President John Mitchell also had memories of working with Webster. “Dean was a real leader, not only in Northeastern Ag but in the national feed industry,” said Mitchell. “He was a key strength of the New England Grain and Feed Association, the predecessor of NEAFA. Dean was a true Gentleman that had the ability to not only paint visions, but to have them succeed. With his great wisdom and calm personality, he was the guy you wanted next to you in the middle of a storm. He was the kind of guy you wanted to get to know, a mentor to myself and I’m sure to many others.”

Webster’s obituary is reproduced below from Bibber Memorial Chapel. https://bibberfuneral.com/book-of-memories/3955340/Webster-Dean/index.php

Dean K. Webster, formerly of Andover, MA, died on August 24, 2019. Dean was born in 1929, the son of D. Kingman and Mina (Muirhead) Webster. He was graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover in 1947 and William College, Williamstown, MA in 1951. Having spent summers in the U.S. Marine Corps Officers Training Program in Quantico, VA, he served in Korea from 1951-1953 as an officer.

Upon returning to the States, Dean joined the H.K. Webster Co., a family business, located on West Street in Lawrence, MA. With his cousin, R. Kingman Webster, the two ran the family business, renamed Blue Seal Feeds, Inc., and expanded throughout the northeast with their satellite mill program.

Dean became President of Blue Seal Feeds in 1968 as the company celebrated its 100th anniversary. That same year he married Eliza T. Mason of Richmond, VA and they settled in Andover, MA, where they were blessed by the births of their two daughters.

Dean’s years in the Greater Lawrence area were marked by his outstanding service to the community. He served as President of the Greater Lawrence YMCA, Chairman and later President of the Merrimack Valley United Fund, President of the New England Feed and Grain Council, President of the American Feed Manufacturers Association and received their distinguished service award in 1984 for his leadership and service to agriculture and for innovations in the feed manufacturing industry and farming.

Upon his retirement from the company in 1994, Dean received the Ralph B. Wilkinson Award from the Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce for his outstanding community service and honorary membership in the New England Feed & Grain Council.

With Dean’s commitment to the animal feed industry, he also donated his time and resources to the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, which eventually culminated in the building of the Webster Family Library. Dean was also a generous supporter of Phillips Academy, the former St. Mary’s High School in Lawrence, MA, as well as the Central Catholic High School and Presentation of Mary Academy located in Lawrence and Methuen, MA respectively.

Dean was delighted to be blessed with 7 grandsons. After his retirement, Dean and Eliza moved to Maine where Dean enjoyed family visits, playing golf, his bridge group, reading and travel.

Dean is survived by his wife Eliza, his daughter Ann and her husband Tom Mead of Nokesville, VA, his daughter Lee and her husband David Barone of Lexington, MA and grandsons Joshua, Daniel, Andrew and Peter Mead, Andre Amazeen, Dean and Alex Barone, and nieces and nephew.

A private Graveside Service with military honors will be held on the morning of Thursday, August 29th, followed by a public Memorial Service at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, in Kennebunk, Maine at 2:00 p.m. on the same date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name are encouraged to: Lawrence YMCA, 40 Lawrence Street, Lawrence, MA 01840.

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Dean‘s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com.

Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043.