Farm Credit East Encourages Stockholders to Vote in 2022 Director Elections

The 2022 director candidates were formally introduced at Farm Credit East’s Annual Meeting in March, and subsequently, voting stockholders were sent ballots to vote in the 2022 Director Elections. As a customer-owned cooperative, the annual director election is an important opportunity for stockholders to express their voice in ownership and direction of the cooperative. Farm Credit East encourages members to vote. Online voting is available for those stockholders who have opted-in to receiving electronic communications. Please check your email!

Ballots must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13.

In 2022, there are six candidates running for the three seats up for election on the Farm Credit East Board of Directors. Seat one is for a three-year term while seats two and three are for four-year terms. Following are this year’s six highly qualified candidates.

SEAT ONE, FROM THE CENTRAL REGION

• Michael N. Brooks, of Elmer, NJ, is a managing partner of Dusty Lane Farms LLC, a 2,000-acre irrigated vegetable and grain farm. The diverse vegetable farm grows white potatoes for the chip industry, peppers, spinach, sweet corn, cabbage, corn, soybeans and wheat. Mike manages all day-to-day operations of the business.
• Amy L. Walker-Bailey, of Fort Ann, NY, is chief financial officer of Walker Farms, LLC, a 1,300-cow family dairy operation. In this role, Amy analyzes finances and provides information to aid in decision making. The family also operates a large farm store, which Amy is the general manager and chief financial officer responsible for all daily business decisions.

SEAT TWO, FROM THE CENTRAL REGION

• Philip “Jamie” Jones, of Shelton, Conn., is a managing member of Jones Family Farms alongside his parents, Terry and Jean, and wife, Christiana. Established in the 1850’s, the Jones family’s 500-acre farm produces and direct markets strawberries, blueberries, pumpkins and Christmas trees. Additionally, Jamie established a vineyard and winery that currently produces 6,000 cases.
• David S. Lucas, of New Woodstock, NY, is president of Lucas Homestead, LLC, which owns and rents 700 acres, and president of H. W. Naylor, an FDA registered animal health manufacturer operating under the Dr. Naylor brand to produce topical medications used on all forms of agricultural animals in the U.S. and abroad. David has owned this company for the last 14 years.

SEAT THREE, FROM THE WESTERN REGION

• Earl C. LaGrou III, of Oakfield, NY, is chief financial officer and secretary of Lamb & Webster Inc, an agricultural equipment company conducting business in sales, parts and service. In this position, Earl is responsible for all financial transactions and the financial health of the company. He also leads human resources, advertising and general operations, overseeing 70 employees.
• Terry R. Zittel, of Eden, NY, is the business executive and treasurer of Amos Zittel & Sons, Inc., a fifth-generation 400-acre wholesale vegetable and flower business growing fresh market, hand harvested vegetables as well as rooted liners and a potted flower crop. Terry has over 39 years of experience implementing and managing a fully integrated accounting, inventory, order entry and point of sale system for all the enterprises.

Each voting stockholder is encouraged to vote for one candidate for each of the three positions. This year, stockholders can mail in their ballot or vote online. A third-party election tabulator will count the votes and declare the winners within five business days of the voting deadline.