From Fleetwood Bank
On Wednesday, March 25, Fleetwood Bank hosted its annual Agricultural Dinner at the Oley Fair Centre, located at 26 Jefferson St. in Oley, PA. Over 120 local ag professionals kicked off the evening by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to pay tribute to 250 years of America. 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. Generous volunteers of the Oley Fire Company prepared a delicious meal for the guests.
At the helm of this event was Commercial Lender and Relationship Manager of Fleetwood Bank, Kevin D. Bieber. As an active Board Member of the PA State Fair Association since 1998 and the President of the Oley Fair since 2003, Bieber’s industry connections led to a great evening of speakers and a wonderful representation of the future leaders of agriculture in our area. “Seeing a room full of so many hardworking local industry professionals alongside six Berks County FFA Chapters representing the future of ag in our community was something special. Agriculture is the backbone of Pennsylvania’s economy, a state with more young people in ag than any other state throughout our country,” reflected Bieber. Students from the Brandywine Heights, Conrad Weiser, Kutztown, Oley Valley, Schuylkill Valley, and Tulpehocken FFA were in attendance.
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,” he explained. “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.”
Sally Bollinger, Vice President of the Pennsylvania State FFA Officer team, and Brinley Hess, the 2025-2026 Berks County Dairy Princess, also addressed the crowd. The keynote speaker was Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Chris Davis, who is the Executive Director of the Commission for Agriculture Education Excellence and Acting Deputy Secretary of Plant Industry and Consumer Protection. This Berks County resident concluded his speech by reminding attendees of the importance of giving someone an opportunity.
“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,” stated Timothy Snyder, President and CEO of Fleetwood Bank.
In celebration of Community Banking Month this April, learn more about why it is important to bank local.
About Fleetwood Bank
Founded in 1907, Fleetwood Bank specializes in delivering the highest quality products, service, and convenience in financial services with a friendly and familiar face. With over 100+ years as a community bank, they pride themselves on being the only bank based in Berks County, PA. Fleetwood Bank offers online and mobile banking, business and personal deposit accounts, loans, cash management services, mortgages, and more. Manage all of your individual and business financial needs at the intersection of convenience and personability with Fleetwood Bank. They employ over 60 educated and motivated team members to improve the quality of life in the communities they serve. Fleetwood Bank is a member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. Hometown hospitality is consistently provided across all seven branches located in Blandon, Fleetwood, Kutztown, Lyons, Oley, Shoemakersville, and Wyomissing. For more information, and to see for yourself why Fleetwood Bank was voted Berks County Living’s Best Financial Institution and the Reading Eagle’s Readers’ Choice for Best Bank three years in a row, visit fleetwoodbank.com.
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