February 2019 - 21

GREAT LAKES EXPO NEWS
Michigan agriculture. The organization's
annual scholarship will now be known
as the Dave Smith Michigan Vegetable
Council Scholarship.
During Smith's career as executive
director, he played a key role in merging
the annual fruit and vegetable industries
annual education program and trade
show into the Great Lakes Fruit,
Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO.
His role in planning, coordinating and
managing the EXPO continued his entire
career with the council.
The annual event now attracts 4,000
Master Farmer Associate Award winner Mark
Mayer with his wife Carla.
said that Golden Stock Farms is known
for its dedicated service and leadership in
the industry. Family members have been
actively involved and held leadership
roles in many agricultural groups here
in Michigan, including the Agricultural
Marketing and Bargaining Board, the
Michigan Agricultural Cooperative
Marketing Association, and the Michigan
Asparagus Advisory Board.
Mark Mayer - Master Farmer
Associate Award
Mark Mayer of Arbre Farms in
Walkerville has been named recipient of
the 2018 Master Farmer Associate Award
by the Michigan Vegetable Council.
This award is presented annually to an
individual or business actively supporting
the vegetable production industry in
Michigan. It recognizes leadership roles
in industry and community organizations
and support of vegetable crop research.
Mayer is the director of field
operations at Arbre Farms in Walkerville.
Arbre Farms is a processor of frozen
vegetables and cherries. Prior to Arbre
Farms, Mayer worked at Central Produce
Sales. As for the vegetable season, Mayer
works with all crops that come through
the facility, starting with asparagus, then
peas, next green beans, many squashes
and carrots.
It is widely known that green beans
are Mayer's specialty. He has the ability
to help growers figure out why a crop of
green beans is doing poorly and often can
help improve the yield for that season.
Mayer spends his days working with
growers to help get the different crops to
the plant at Arbre Farms. He will often
go out and do field scouting, looking for
disease and insect problems. Being in
the industry for a long time, Mark has
established working relationships with
many, none more important than those
with MSU Extension.
Currently, Mayer exchanges
information with Ben Werling, the
current MSU Extension vegetable crop
educator in the area.
Michigan Vegetable Council
Service Achievements
The Michigan Vegetable Council
recognized Dave Smith, the organization's
retired executive director, for his 20 years
of dedicated service to the council and
LIBERTY
Liberty squash is grown on a
strong, open, and spineless plant
promoting ease of picking and
reduced damage at harvest. This
VOLOAGRI variety produces
attractive glossy fruit that
maintain a cylindrical shape and
twist off easily at maturity.
ROADSTER
Roadster, from Sakata, is a
determinate large to extra large
round tomato with minimal
blossom end scar, smooth,
firm fruit and exceptionally
high eating quality.
SPARK
Spark, from Hollar, is a
very uniform, striped
ornamental variety with
a dark green handle that is
strongly attached to the fruit.
Excellent for Fall decorations.
guests, includes 70 educational sessions,
hosts 450 exhibitors and creates and
opportunity for special events, receptions
and valuable networking. The EXPO is
the largest agricultural specialty crop
even in the eastern United States.
" We wish him well in retirement, "
said council president Doug Horkey.
" Additionally, we extend our best
wishes and thanks to Sue Smith for her
willingness to provide valuable help at
the EXPO as well as her assistance over
the years in running the home office of
the council. "
The Michigan Vegetable Council
also extended service achievement
recognition to Sue Smith, Betty Elder,
Roger Brook and Ben Kudwa. VGN
Michigan Vegetable Council's (MVC) retired
executive director Dave Smith with his wife
Sue. Dave Smith received an MVC Service
Achievement award.
RAISING THE BAR
OUTLAW
Outlaw is a new bean that features extremely
straight, glossy pods that resist breaking and
bruising. This new bean from Syngenta has
excellent germination and stands well through
the season.
RAISING THE BAR
IN QUALITY, FLAVOR, AND YIELD
Bringing you the best products in partnership with
Hollar, Sakata, Syngenta, and VOLOAGRI.
Visit ruppseeds.com to request or download your copy
of our 2019 catalog including 40 new products.
800-700-1199 * ruppseeds.com
VGN | FEBRUARY 2019 | 21
http://www.ruppseeds.com http://www.ruppseeds.com
February 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2019
