GREENE – Chenango County Farm Bureau President Bradd Vickers was surprised by his board of directors Monday night when they named him this year’s Advocate of Agriculture.

With more than 150 meetings attended and correspondences written on behalf of the organization in 2010, both locally as well as in Washington D.C. and other states, and regular contacts made with some 35 different legislators, little slips by the longtime organization’s president.

New York State Assemblyman Peter Lopez, R-Sidney, was on hand to present the award to Vickers. He said Vickers is “a shining example of the phrase, ‘If you want to get something done, ask a busy person’” and well known for following his personal motto, “‘Lead, follow, or get the heck out of the way!’”

“He has worked tirelessly with numerous legislators to push bills forward that Farm Bureau supports or stopping bills that would be detrimental to agriculture. He considers a lot of the legislators as personal friends,” Lopez said.

Vickers, who has led the organization since 2001, expressed both shock and appreciation, “You got one by me! I hope everyone knows that I don’t do this for appreciation. I do it, obviously, because my feet are well planted in the soil.”