Charlie Elrod, Ph.D., President NEAFA
To start, we need to clear up one ongoing mystery which has puzzled the communications committee for a few years now. Every month, there are several NEAFA News readers who appear to be from Sweden and seem to be among our most loyal readers. First, thank you for reading, but second, who are you and what is your connection to NEAFA? We would love to learn more about you!
As 2025 winds down to its finale, I next want to take the opportunity to thank all our members for your support throughout the year. Without your continuing commitment to NEAFA, through your dues, participation in the Sustaining Sponsor program, serving on a committee or our board of directors, we would not have been able to accomplish so much over the last year without you. A few callouts:
To our Executive Administrator, Sue Van Amburgh, we simply would struggle to get anything done without your attention, institutional memory, and dedication. “Thanks” really is insufficient to convey our deep reliance on and appreciation for your efforts;
To our Executive Board, Bonnie Bargstedt, Jenny Mills, Matt Sheffer and Mike Thresher, for your commitment to showing up, contributing your time, expertise and wisdom;
To our Board of Directors, we truly appreciate your dedication and insights to direct our alliance and keep us moving forward;
To the co-chairs of the Membership and Education committees, Luke Lines and Bonnie Bargstedt (membership) and Sarah LaCount and Heather Dann (education), we owe deep appreciation for your tireless efforts to recruit new members, cajole wavering members and elicit new sustaining sponsors, while the education committee continues to organize and provide outstanding programs for our industry;
To our partners in advocacy, Julie Marlette and her team at Hinman-Straub and Emma Shouldice and her team at Shouldice and Associates for their insight and diligent work on our behalf in the legislative halls of Albany and Montpelier.
And to a few of our great collaborators, namely Allyson Jones-Brimmer of NEDPA, and Renee St. Jacques and David Fisher of NYFB, we are all stronger for your willingness to work with us for the common good of our industry.
As we look ahead to 2026, it’s time to renew memberships and consider joining or raising your support of the Sustaining Sponsor program. In an effort to provide more value at the top tiers of the program, we have added some additional benefits for Diamond and Platinum levels of sponsorship. In addition to the usual benefits we have added:
Diamond
Copy of the member list in Excel format in addition to the printed directory.
Two product promotional emails sent on behalf of the sponsor to the membership list.
One promotional podcast for your company, recorded with one of the PRO-Dairy specialists, featuring your company’s history, products and research.
Platinum
Copy of the member list in Excel format in addition to the printed directory.
One product promotional email sent on behalf of the sponsor to the membership list.
The Sustaining Sponsor program has become a cornerstone of NEAFA’s efforts to Advocate, Collaborate and Educate. If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll consider participating at whatever level suits you. If you have participated, please consider bumping up a level (or two!). We feel it provides good value for your investment in the future of the agriculture industry of the Northeast. If you’re ready to commit, you can do so here.
I’ll close in wishing you, your families and your businesses a joyous end to the year and warmest wishes for your continued success and well-being in the new year.