February 2021 - 21

GREAT LAKES EXPO
Kokx, Goldy presented awards during Great Lakes EXPO
By Gary Pullano
Editor
Gene Kokx of Eugene Kokx and Sons
Farms in Hart, Michigan, has been named
recipient of the 2020 Master Farmer
Award by the Michigan Vegetable Council
(MVC). Ron Goldy, senior Extension
educator at Michigan State University,
has been awarded the 2020 Master
Farmer Associate Award by the Michigan
Vegetable Council.
The awards were announced during
the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm
Market EXPO held virtually in December.
The Master Farmer Award is presented
annually to an individual or farm business
actively engaged in vegetable production
in Michigan. It recognizes well-managed
and innovative farming practices, as
well as leadership roles in industry and
community organizations.
Kokx's farm is fourth generation.
Long ago the farm was dairy and
potatoes but has been focused on
processed asparagus and zucchini
squash in recent years. Kokx's wife,
Theresa, is part of the farm operation
along with Kokx's father, Gene Sr.
According to the MVC's
announcement, Kokx knows what it
Benton Harbor. Goldy had a wide range
of agricultural experiences in his youth.
This led him to having a vast array while
at MSU, whether it be working with
vegetable producers, fruit producers, or
farm marketers.
Besides performing Extension work on
Gene Kokx of Eugene Kokx and Sons Farms
in Hart. Photos: Michigan Vegetable Council
takes to be an innovative farmer. The
farm practices minimum till as much as
possible and includes lots of cover crops.
Grain is often mixed in as a rotational
crop to keep the fields healthy. Kokx has
been a leader in sharing his knowledge
with others and often allows research to
take place on his farm.
Kokx has been involved in the
asparagus industry his whole career.
He has helped make the industry what
it is today by serving nine years on the
MVC board, 10 years on the Michigan
Asparagus Advisory Board and 25 years
on the Michigan Agriculture Cooperative
Marketing Association.
" The Michigan Vegetable Council
hopes to find a candidate for our award
Ron Goldy of Michigan State University
Extension.
every year that can be as qualified
and dedicated as Gene Kokx, " the
announcement said.
Ron Goldy - Master Farmer
Associate Award
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.
Goldy is a senior Extension educator
for Michigan State University (MSU)
Extension. He has a unique appointment
as he serves 50% Extension and 50%
research at the Southwest Michigan
Research and Extension Center in
fresh market vegetables such as tomatoes,
cucumbers, squash and peppers, Goldy
performs research beneficial to these
same growers. Goldy has provided the
industry with research on irrigation that
has helped growers keep nutrients in
the right place on the sandy southwest
Michigan soil.
" The Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable,
and Farm Market EXPO would not be
what it is today without Ron Goldy, "
MVC's announcement said. " Ron leads
numerous education sessions on both
vegetable and farm market topics. Ron
has been a leader of the farm market
section of the EXPO. Each year Ron takes
the farm market guests on a bus tour to
numerous west Michigan farm markets.
Ron makes sure to get to the places that
have the latest innovations in agritourism.
The Michigan Vegetable Council would
not be the successful organization which
it is today without the services of Ron
Goldy. " VGN
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February 2021

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