Oneida County Farm Bureau hosts annual meeting
On Oct. 21 the Oneida County Farm Bureau hosted their 70th anniversary annual dinner meeting at Franklin Hotel Restaurant in Rome. The dinner menu was made up of locally grown products from Twin Orchards Farm Stand, Jake’s Gouda Cheese, John Collins Farm & Creamery, Neil Collins Family Maple, Simmons Potato Farm, Humphrey Farm, Brabant Farm, Olney’s Garden and Candella’s Farm & Greenhouses. The desserts were provided by Lori VanLieshout and Karen K. Howard.
There were 60 members and elected officials present, including Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, Assemblyman Brian Miller, County Legislators Norman Leach and David Buck and Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol (aka Rancher Rob).
The 4-H Teen Council gave a report on their exchange trip to Montana in 2024 – and this year Montana teens came here. They toured a variety of Upstate locations – Water Safari, Collins Creamery and Niagara Falls were a few places.
Elections for Board of Directors and officers for 2026 resulted as follows: President Neil Collins (Verona); and Vice President Larry Hobin Jr. (Holland Patent). Board of Directors for 2026 are Tyler Wrisley (Boonville); Kathy Gregory-Salvo (Marcy); Pat VanLieshout (Verona); and Austin Elliott (Westmoreland). Members At-Large include Kevin Angel, John Collins, Keith James and Colburn Sherwood. The Office Manager is Lori VanLieshout. Promotion & Education Chair is Karen K. Howard. Young Farmer & Rancher Committee Chair is Tyler Ford.
There was much discussion on the policies that Oneida County Farm Bureau will take to the State Annual Meeting to be considered for New York state policies for 2026.
To conclude the meeting, “Farmer Ben,” on behalf of the Boonville-Oneida County Fair, presented checks to Vernon- Verona-Sherrill and Holland Patent FFA chapters from the proceeds from the Best of Boonville-Oneida County Fair Auction.
Also in attendance was the longest held and oldest Farm Bureau member, Charles Muth of Verona. He has been a OCFB member since 1955. Charles is 99 years young.
by Ben Simons
