Jamesport farmer Mark Zaweski, who describes his career in farming as one that began “as soon as I could walk,” will be honored by the Long Island Farm Bureau Saturday night with its Amherst Davis Memorial Farmer Citizen award.
The award is given to a Long Island Farm Bureau member who has served not only the organization but has dedicated himself to agricultural and other activities in the broader community.
Zaweski, 55, is a 21-year member of the Jamesport Fire Department and serves on the Riverhead Town and Suffolk County Farmland Select committees, which evaluate farm properties for preservation. He served on the L.I. Farm Bureau’s board of directors from the early 1990s until last year; he is a past president of the organization.
The fourth-generation farmer operates MKZ Farms, growing nursery stock and vegetables at several locations in Jamesport. He and his wife Emilie have seven children. So far, none has shown an interest in taking over the family farm.
“I’d like to have some one in the next generation follow me,” Zaweski said. “But it’s kind of a double-edged sword, with how hard it is to farm here now,” he said, citing the high cost of energy, regulations and the growing population consisting of people who, he said, move here from suburban Long Island because they love the scenery but then don’t like living next to farm operations.
“So I don’t know,” he said about the lack of an obvious successor. “Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise.”
Zaweski said he loves farming, which he’s done full-time since high school graduation, and couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
“I’m very honored to be recognized by Farm Bureau with this award,” he said. “When you look at the people who’ve received it before me, it’s quite a distinguished group.”
Past recipients of the Amherst Davis Memorial Farmer Citizen award include Lyle Wells, Bob Nolan, Debbie Schmitt, Bill Ruland and Al Krupski.
“The award recipient is someone who not only gives to the organization and the industry of agriculture but to the greater good of the community,” said LIFB executive director Joe Gergela.
“It’s a very prestigious award, our most important award,” Gergela said, “and Mark is a very worthy recipient.”
Zaweski will be feted at the L.I. Farm Bureau’s 96th Annual Awards Reception on Saturday, March 29 at Riverhead Polish Hall.
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