Honor Apple Grower Award

Assembly Resolution No. 323 BY: M. of A. Manktelow COMMENDING Paul Wafler upon the occasion of being named Grower of the Year by the International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA) WHEREAS, The agricultural industry is part of the foundation upon which our distinct American heritage is built; New York State and the entire United States is dependent on our agricultural industry for a variety of food products; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the efforts of our farmers as they continue their hard work of cultivating the land, facing the many challenges of nature such as flood, drought and heat, in order to grow our food; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Paul Wafler upon the occasion of being named Grower of the Year by the International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA), celebrated at its Annual Winter Conference and Tours in Rochester, New York; and WHEREAS, Fritz Wafler immigrated from Switzerland to Canada when he was 26 years-old, and shortly thereafter, moved to New York to start the fruit farm with his wife, Lois in 1960; two years later, they opened a nursery; and WHEREAS, A true trailblazer, Fritz Wafler was always looking for ways to improve his business; he conducted a great deal of research at the library, and traveled to Europe many times to learn new and advanced growing techniques which positively promoted the industry; and WHEREAS, Today, Lois Wafler continues to own and operate Wafler Farms with her son, Paul and his wife Susan who handle much of the day-to-day operations; Paul learned from the master and has diligently worked to perpetuate his father's legacy of innovation; in the future, he hopes his sons, Kyle and Jacob, may take over the family business; and WHEREAS, Wafler Farms currently grows 600 acres of apples, with Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji and Evercrisp being among its top varieties; and WHEREAS, Through the years, Wafler Farms has substantially contributed to the economic vitality of its community and the entire Empire State; the Farm employs full-time individuals, including Nursery Manager Bill Pitts and Sales Assistant Carrie Herzog, and 60-100 part-time employees; and WHEREAS, Devoted to agriculture and the apple industry, the Waflers are members of Lake Country Cold Storage and an owner of Empire Fruit Growers, who pack their own apples for marketing by New York Apple Sales; and WHEREAS, The Wafler family has served as dedicated advocates for the farming industry that has been the mainstay of their family for generations; their involvement within the community, as well as their apple and nursery enterprises, tells a story of stamina, caring attitude, and family, which will carry them long into the future; and WHEREAS, Through their diligence and expertise, the Wafler family has brought great pride and recognition to their farm, the local community, and the State of New York; and WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowledges the success of this exceptional family farm and its contributions to the local and State economies, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy the sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Paul Wafler upon the occasion of being named Grower of the Year by the International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA); and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Paul Wafler, Wafler Farms.