Confer, who pens the weekly “Exploring the Niagara Frontier” column for All WNY News, is a contributor to several other organizations and media, including the Lockport Union Sun & Journal. It was the May 19 column “Wage hikes will harm non-profits and their clients” as published in the US&J that won the award for the accomplished author and businessman.
Part of the award is a cash prize of $100 sponsored by Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity at Cornell University. AGR is a national Agriculture fraternity with houses at various university campuses. Confer chose to donate the prize to the Ag Society to help its educational efforts.
The New York State Agricultural Society was organized in 1832 to Foster, Promote and Improve the New York State Food & Agriculture Industry through Education, Leadership Development & Recognition Programs.
The Cap Creal Journalism Award was created in 1978, named for farmer, Ag Society member, and Assemblyman Harold “Cap” Creal to inspire more coverage of the positive aspects of agriculture in NY State. Awards are presented in the categories of Printed News Story, Printed Feature Story, Printed Series, Printed Editorial, Audio/Video News Clip, Audio/Video News Feature, Audio/Video for the Internet, Blogs/On-line Feature, or Photograph.
Niagara County Farm Bureau President Jim Bittner, who attended the Ag Society’s annual dinner at which Confer was acknowledged, said “We were excited that Bob was recognized. Over the years, he has written many columns supporting agriculture. He was our keynote speaker at our annual meeting a few years ago. It is exciting for us to have someone who understands
agricultural issues and can communicate them so clearly.”
Confer’s weekly column, Exploring the Niagara Frontier is published each Thursday morning on All WNY News. It focuses on nature and science in Western New York. Other works can be found at BobConfer.net.
Confer, who lives in Gasport with his wife and daughter, is vice president at Confer Plastics in North Tonawanda.