The Suffolk County chapter of New York Agri-Women will host its first meeting at noon on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at Laurel Lake Vineyards in Laurel, New York. Women involved in agriculture and agribusiness on Long Island are encouraged to attend. The event will include lunch and a wine and cheese pairing donated by the vineyard and local restaurant La Bonne Quiche. Cari Rincker, Esq., founder of New York Agri-Women (NYAW), will be present to describe the mission of the organization and welcome potential members.
According to recent statistics, Suffolk County ranked first among other New York State counties in annual revenues, with over $243 million according to the USDA’s 2007 census. Agricultural commodities on Long Island include not only traditional vegetable crops, nurseries, greenhouses and sod farms, ducks and other poultry and eggs, but aquaculture and vineyards as well. A significant portion of Suffolk County farms have women as principal operators, and women also serve in other capacities within this diverse agricultural community.
advertisement
“We hope that the Suffolk County chapter of New York Agri-Women will provide a forum for these women to network and discuss pertinent issues and the unique challenges they face as women in this industry,” said Vicki S. Gruber, a local attorney and NYAW member who is organizing the event. “So far, we have had a wonderful response, and are expecting women and even a few men from the Long Island farming community.”
People interested in attending should contact Ms. Gruber at 516-845-8088 or vgruber@vsgpc.com for reservations and additional information about the lunch.
New York Agri-Women is a state affiliate of American Agri-Women, a national coalition of women in agriculture that provides a forum for communication and the promotion of agriculture. Membership is not limited to women. Information about NYAW and American Agri-Women is available at www.newyorkagriwomen.com and www.americanagriwomen.org.
