Dean Norton of Elba, president of NY Farm Bureau, seeks national post

Staff Reports Posted 3 August 2015 at 12:00 am

Dean Norton

ELBA – Dean Norton of Elba, the current president of New York Farm Bureau, announced today he is seeking to become vice president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

“This is an important time for agriculture in New York and throughout our great nation,” Norton said in a statement released by NYFB. “As farmers, we have many opportunities and challenges ahead of us, and my years of leadership in Farm Bureau at the state and national levels have prepared me well to take them on as AFBF’s vice president. The office would allow me to expand my advocacy for hard working farm families across America and give my home state a more visible role in this vital organization.

“For me, family is essential to having a strong agricultural sector, and that is what makes this decision personal for me. I will work hard to ensure that the future is strong for our sons and daughters who are the next generation of farmers, and I wouldn’t have made this decision without the loving support of my wife Melanie, our two children, and our families.

“Serving in this role will allow me to still be president of New York Farm Bureau, and if I am successful in this endeavor, I will do all that I can to make both organizations even more effective. I appreciate the support that I have received so far, and I look forward in the coming months to working with and listening to Farm Bureau members from across the country ahead of AFBF’s Annual Convention in Orlando this January.

“I am excited about the prospect of helping to lead AFBF as we work to continue the successful momentum developed under outgoing President Bob Stallman.”

Norton’s wife Melanie grew up in Albion. Norton works as a senior agriculture consultant at a CPA firm in Batavia. His family owns a dairy farm in Elba. In addition, he and his wife operate DMCK Cattle Co., LLC renting dairy cows and tillable land along with selling beef cattle.

Dean has served on the American Farm Bureau Board of Directors representing the Northeast since 2010 as well as the AFBF Executive Committee. He was elected NYFB president in December of 2008, and he has served on a variety of NYFB commodity committees. He also was Genesee County Farm Bureau president for four years, and served four years on the NYFB State Board of Directors prior to being elected president of NYFB.