Fleetwood Bank Celebrates Local Farming at Annual Agricultural Dinner

The event brought together over 120 agriculture professionals and FFA students to honor Berks County's agricultural heritage.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:44pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a carefully arranged composition of premium agricultural objects like a weathered wooden crate, a bundle of freshly harvested wheat, and a glass jar filled with golden honey, set against a clean, monochromatic background that uses dramatic lighting and deep shadows to represent the timeless, grounded values of the local farming community.A celebration of Berks County's agricultural heritage, Fleetwood Bank's annual dinner brings together the community's farming leaders and future stewards.Fleetwood Today

Fleetwood Bank hosted its annual Agricultural Dinner at the Oley Fair Centre in March, bringing together more than 120 local agriculture professionals, FFA students, and community leaders to celebrate the importance of farming and agriculture to the Berks County economy. The event featured speakers, a meal prepared by the Oley Fire Company, and recognition of the region's agricultural legacy and future.

Why it matters

As a community bank, Fleetwood Bank has a strong focus on supporting local industries, especially the agricultural sector which is a major economic driver in Berks County. The annual dinner highlights the bank's commitment to the farming community and the next generation of agricultural leaders represented by the FFA students in attendance.

The details

The Agricultural Dinner featured remarks from Fleetwood Bank's president and CEO Timothy Snyder, who emphasized the bank's local focus and role in agricultural lending. Other speakers included Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture official Chris Davis, Pennsylvania State FFA Officer Sally Bollinger, and Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach, who discussed the $1 billion economic impact of agriculture in the county. The event also included the Pledge of Allegiance, a performance of the National Anthem, and a meal prepared by the Oley Fire Company volunteers.

  • The annual Agricultural Dinner was held on March 25, 2026.
  • The event coincided with National Ag Week and America's 250th anniversary.

The players

Timothy Snyder

President and CEO of Fleetwood Bank.

Chris Davis

Executive director of the Commission for Agriculture Education Excellence and Acting Deputy Secretary of Plant Industry and Consumer Protection at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Sally Bollinger

Vice president of the Pennsylvania State FFA Officer team.

Christian Leinbach

Berks County Commissioner.

Kevin D. Bieber

Commercial lender and relationship manager at Fleetwood Bank, active board member of the Pennsylvania State Fair Association since 1998, and president of the Oley Fair since 2003.

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What they’re saying

“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

“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.”

— Christian Leinbach, Berks County Commissioner

What’s next

Fleetwood Bank plans to continue hosting the annual Agricultural Dinner to celebrate the local farming community and support the next generation of agricultural leaders through its partnerships with FFA chapters.

The takeaway

Fleetwood Bank's commitment to the agricultural sector and its role as a community bank deeply invested in the local economy is exemplified by its annual Agricultural Dinner, which brings together industry professionals, community leaders, and the future farmers of Berks County.