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.