Business

Outgoing L.I. Farm Bureau director honored at retirement party

By The Suffolk Times

Mr. Gergela. (Credit: Katharine Schroder)
Joe Gergela at his retirement party Saturday evening at Duckwalk Vineyards in Southold. (Credit: Katharine Schroder)

A retirement party was held Saturday evening for longtime Long Island Farm Bureau executive director Joe Gergela. 

Mr. Gergela, who was born in Greenport and held the post for 26 years, grew up farming in Jamesport with his grandfather, mother and father.

The 58-year-old told The Suffolk Times in April that he was stepping down at the end of the year. His retirement party was held at Duckwalk Vineyards in Southold.

See photos from the event below. Read more about Mr. Gergela’s career here.

Joe Gergela, right, with his mentor former Farm Bureau president Dick McGuire. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)
Joe Gergela, right, with his mentor former Farm Bureau president Dick McGuire. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)
Presenter Bob Nolan, State Director for New York Farm Bureau and former Farm Bureau president. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)
Presenter Bob Nolan, State Director for New York Farm Bureau and former Farm Bureau president. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)
Presenter Karen Rivara, Long Island Farm Bureau president. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)
Presenter Karen Rivara, Long Island Farm Bureau president. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)
Former Farm Bureau president Mark Zaweski presents Joe Gergela with a miniature tractor as a memento. Also in the presentation case is a small container of soil from Joe's Jamesport farm. (Credit: Katharine Schrieder)
Former Farm Bureau president Mark Zaweski presents Joe Gergela with a miniature tractor as a memento. Also in the presentation case is a small container of soil from Joe’s Jamesport farm. (Credit: Katharine Schrieder)
Joe and his wife Donna. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)
Joe and his wife Donna. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)
Joe's son Jonathan films his father's speech. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)
Joe’s son Jonathan films his father’s speech. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)
Friends and colleagues applaud Joe. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)
Friends and colleagues applaud Joe. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)
The tractor and soil. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)
The tractor and soil. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)

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