Schaghticoke, N.Y. – The Empire State Council of Agricultural Organizations elected its officers and directors for 2006. CAO, which is comprised of 25 agriculture and food industry organizations, enables its members to develop a united effort on issues affecting the viability of agriculture/horticulture in New York State.
Steve Griffen, co-owner of Saratoga Sod Farm was elected CAO chair. Griffen serves on the New York Farm Viability Institute board and works on Cornell University’s college of agriculture and life science’s horticultural advisory committee. He is also a member and past president of the New York State Turfgrass Association, having served on the board for more than 10 years.
NYSTA president, Michael Maffei, CGCS, has been re-elected treasurer of CAO. Maffei has been a certified golf course superintendent with Back O’Beyond since 1971. He has served on the board of directors of the New York State Turfgrass Association since 1988. He is also the current treasurer for the New York Alliance for Environmental Concerns.
Other CAO elected officers include Bruce Croucher, New York State Grange – vice chair; Bill Young, Upstate Farms Cooperative – secretary; Bill Pardee, New York State Seed Association – at targe; and Bruce Krupke, New York State Dairy Foods – at large.
CAO develops legislative recommendations annually. Goals include maintaining key agricultural programs in the state budget, support for the New York Farm Viability Institute and support for measures to improve New York State’s business climate.
CAO elects officers
The Empire State Council of Agricultural Organizations elected its officers and directors for 2006.