Business

Riverhead Chamber honors its 2014 award winners

Joe Gergela
Joe Gergela. (Credit: Joseph Pinciaro)

LINDA DEITERICH GOLD KEY

Joe Gergela, retiring executive director of the Long Island Farm Bureau

Presenter Bob Kern, 2XS Consulting: “Joe’s influences cross party lines, where he’s well respected on both sides of the aisle as the voice of agriculture.”

Mr. Gergela: “I don’t think agriculture is fully appreciated. There’s a lot at stake … small business farming is driving business out here … One of the fights we have is preserving open space. I’m concerned about that … we need to be able to preserve land as an alternative to development … I’m gonna go to the grave fighting for my farmers.”