Senator Peter Oberacker, Chenango County Farm Bureau (CCFB) President Bradd Vickers, and Assemblyman Joe Angelino were present at the 68th annual CCFB Convention held on October 25th at Fred's Inn in Norwich. (Photo by Kelli Miller)

NORWICH – The Chenango County Farm Bureau (CCFB) held its 68th annual convention at Fred's Inn on October 25. The Bureau elected board members, passed and reaffirmed policies, and speaker Craig Jochum spoke on green energy, i.e. solar panels.

At the front tables were CCFB President Bradd Vickers, Senator Peter Oberacker, Assemblyman Joe Angelino, former Mayor of Norwich Joe Maiurano, New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher, member and owner of Greene Pasture Ranch Victoria Pezzino, and member, director, and guest speaker Craig Jochum.

About 70 attendees filled three lengthy tables in the front dining room. The evening began with the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer, and a vast array of dinner and dessert choices.

Vickers shared that the local bureau was awarded its 17th American Farm Bureau County Activity of Excellence Award.

"When we won our first national awards we thought, ‘Wow, that's pretty cool' and now we've won 17," said Vickers.

Vickers announced the organization is one that grows from the bottom up, not top down and said, “Tonight, your ideas will make a difference.”

He then asked members and non-members, professionals, and farmers; past and present, to stand and give a short introduction.

CCFB member and bookkeeper Rainy Vickers explained every CCFB expense is paid by that card and the transfer of funds was to pay off the credit card. All receipts are online and in a binder for review.