Thomas Coene
Just in time for the upcoming Apple season in New York State, the New York Apple Association has named Thomas Coene as chairman of the board. Coene and his wife Lindsey farm alongside his parents, David and Elizabeth Coene, and his grandparents, Robert and Judith Coene, at Windmill Farms LLC, a fifth-generation family operation. The family cultivates approximately 500 acres across Monroe and Wayne counties on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, growing apples for both fresh and processing markets. They also operate an on-farm controlled-atmosphere storage facility.
Coene holds a degree in agricultural business management from SUNY Cobleskill. “I look forward to leading the organization and working side by side with the other board members,” Coene said.
Kristen DeMarree has been named vice president. She earned a doctorate in physical therapy from Nazareth University before returning to the family farm, where she is now transitioning to full ownership.
Newly appointed board members Domenic Porpiglia and Jenna Roberts-Bruning join current members Ely Giroux, Kenny Bowman, Marcus Jones, Helene Dembroski, Joy Crist, Catherine Blackler, Mark Russell, Jeffery Fremouw, Carrie Wafler and Kent Schwab. Board members are elected by New York state apple growers to serve three-year terms, with the option to serve up to two consecutive terms.
The New York Apple Association is a nonprofit organization representing more than 500 apple growers across 50,000 acres statewide. New York is the second-largest apple-producing state in the U.S. NYAA supports fresh, processing and direct-to-consumer growers through advertising, promotions, public relations and educational initiatives aimed at strengthening the industry.
This year, NYAA was awarded two state contracts totaling more than $3 million.
“New York is expecting a robust crop this year, with production projected to exceed 30,500 million bushels,” Coene said. “We’ve had a good mix of rain and warm summer days. Harvest in the Hudson Valley will begin around mid-August, followed by Western and Central New York, and then Northeast New York a few days later. Harvest typically wraps up the first week of November, depending on the weather.”
Cynthia Haskins, NYAA president and CEO, announced an omni-channel consumer marketing campaign featuring a large digital billboard in New York City, 225 panel display billboards, and a targeted social media campaign showcasing digital images of New York apple growers. The campaign will highlight “The Big Flavor in The Big Apple,” with branded display shippers and signage throughout the city.
“We have a great opportunity to tell the story of New York apple growers,” Coene said. “Consumers are more interested than ever in where their food comes from, who produces it and how it’s grown.”
NYAA is expanding the Big Flavor campaign nationwide. Retail account managers are securing cooperative advertising partnerships and launching digital and coupon programs. New York apples are available in more than 7,400 retail stores across the country. To help consumers locate them, NYAA is developing a landing page listing participating retailers.
The association also unveiled a new social media initiative that invites the state’s 500-plus apple growers to actively participate in content creation. The grower-driven effort aims to deepen consumer engagement. DeMarree serves as chair of the Social Media Committee.
