As America celebrates 250 years and National Ag Week, Fleetwood Bank celebrated farming and local agriculture during its annual Agricultural Dinner at the Oley Fair Centre in March.
“Nationally, community banks are responsible for 80% of all agricultural lending, and as the only bank headquartered in Berks County, lending decisions are made by people you know in our community, deposits stay in our branches throughout Berks County, and Fleetwood Bank is owned by shareholders that you know – they are your friends and neighbors throughout Berks County. You can’t bank more local than that,” Timothy Snyder, president and CEO of Fleetwood Bank, said in a statement.
More than 120 local agriculture professionals kicked off the March 25 dinner, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to pay tribute to 250 years of America.
More than 120 local agriculture professionals attended Fleetwood Bank’s annual Agricultural Dinner at Oley Fair Centre on March 25. (Photo courtesy of Angela Cremer, Fleetwood Bank)
Tim Snyder, president and CEO of Fleetwood Bank, clears plates from attendees during Fleetwood Bank’s annual Agricultural Dinner at Oley Fair Centre on March 25. (Photo courtesy of Angela Cremer, Fleetwood Bank)
Sally Bollinger, vice president of the Pennsylvania State FFA Officer team, spoke during Fleetwood Bank’s annual Agricultural Dinner at Oley Fair Centre on March 25. (Photo courtesy of Angela Cremer, Fleetwood Bank)
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More than 120 local agriculture professionals attended Fleetwood Bank’s annual Agricultural Dinner at Oley Fair Centre on March 25. (Photo courtesy of Angela Cremer, Fleetwood Bank)
Jade Smolarski, a junior FFA member at Oley Valley High School, sang the National Anthem, and Jeremy Foose, Chaplain of the Oley FFA, provided the invocation. Volunteers of the Oley Fire Company prepared a meal for the guests.
Kevin D. Bieber of Fleetwood Bank — an active board member of the Pennsylvania State Fair Association since 1998 and president of the Oley Fair since 2003 — said seeing a room full of so many hardworking local industry professionals alongside six Berks County FFA chapters representing the future of agriculture in our community was something special.
Kevin D. Bieber of Fleetwood Bank, an active board member of the Pennsylvania State Fair Association since 1998 and president of the Oley Fair since 2003, said seeing a room full of so many hardworking local industry professionals alongside six Berks County FFA chapters representing the future of ag was something special during Fleetwood Bank’s Agricultural Dinner at Oley Fair Centre. (Photo courtesy of Angela Cremer, Fleetwood Bank)
“Agriculture is the backbone of Pennsylvania’s economy, a state with more young people in ag than any other state throughout our country,” said Bieber, commercial lender and relationship manager of Fleetwood Bank.
Students from the Brandywine Heights, Conrad Weiser, Kutztown, Oley Valley, Schuylkill Valley and Tulpehocken FFA were in attendance.
Keynote speaker Chris Davis of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture spoke about the importance of giving someone an opportunity. A Berks County resident, Davis is the executive director of the Commission for Agriculture Education Excellence and Acting Deputy Secretary of Plant Industry and Consumer Protection.
Keynote speaker Chris Davis of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture spoke about the importance of giving someone an opportunity during Fleetwood Bank’s annual Agricultural Dinner at Oley Fair Centre on March 25. (Photo courtesy of Angela Cremer, Fleetwood Bank)
Keynote speaker Chris Davis of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture spoke about the importance of giving someone an opportunity during Fleetwood Bank’s annual Agricultural Dinner at Oley Fair Centre on March 25. (Photo courtesy of Angela Cremer, Fleetwood Bank)
Sally Bollinger, vice president of the Pennsylvania State FFA Officer team, and 2025 – 2026 Berks County Dairy Princess Brinley Hess also addressed the crowd.
Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach discussed how important agriculture is to the Berks County economy.
“The commodities throughout Berks County account for $704 million in Berks County,” Leinbach said. “Combine that with the related industries, such as veterinary services, sciences, and equipment, and this industry is estimated to be valued at $1 billion right here in Berks County. Agritourism alone brings in $39 million in Berks County.”
“The future of farming in Berks County is in our young people, and Fleetwood Bank’s willingness to invest in them and the future of agriculture in Berks County is encouraging,” said Leinbach.