CADE To Undertake Organizational Review

The Center for Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Development (CADE) today announced that it will begin a review of its organizational structure and needs, following the resignation of its Executive Director, Chris Harmon, and expects to initiate a search for a new Executive Director in the second quarter of 2012. Harmon, resigned his position effective December 2, 2011 to pursue other interests. The resignation was accepted on behalf of CADE by Sarah Manchester, Chair of the Board of Directors.

“CADE has been fortunate to have Chris as it’s Executive Director. He has been enormously important to the success CADE has had in helping to build agricultural infrastructure in New York State,” Manchester commented “We will miss Chris but we wish him well and we are confident that CADE will continue to be a strong force for agriculture in New York State.”

“We will seek a new Executive Director but we are not going to rush into it,” added Manchester. “Instead, we will use this as an opportunity to assess our future organizational needs while we continue to serve existing and new clients with current staff and consultants.”

During Chris’ tenure, CADE has, among other projects, worked successfully to increase livestock processing capacity in New York State, as evidenced, for example, by the construction of a new USDA slaughterhouse in Hartwick and expansion of production capacity at other NY slaughterhouses. CADE has also partnered with New York farmers to increase farmer profitability, such as by developing new product lines and opening new markets. CADE’s programs emphasize practices that are environmentally sound and that promote local economic development.

CADE will continue operations as usual during the organizational review. Inquiries can be directed to Nicole E. Day, Director of Programming & Communications (telephone: (607) 433-2545; (607) 434-2924 email: nicole@cadefarms.org).

CADE, the Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship is a non-profit organization established in 1991 with a mission to increase the number and diversity of successful farm enterprises and related businesses in New York. CADE connects producers of farm products to markets by providing professional, individualized and confidential business and marketing consulting to agricultural entrepreneurs. CADE works to build a vibrant local food system, in which locally owned agricultural businesses thrive and consumers are nourished by healthy sustainably produced food. With a knowledgeable staff supplemented by consultants experienced in production, business development, marketing and distribution, CADE is a catalyst for strengthening multiple sectors of regional food systems.


25 Elm Street, PO Box 641, Oneonta, New York 13820
Tel: (607) 433-2545 Email: info@cadefarms.org
Website: www.cadefarms.org
Twitter: CADEFarms