October 2020 - 12

Drew Afton
Specialist/Agri Supplier
Cory Blumerick
Senior Crop Insurance Specialist,
Development, Nestle/Gerber
Drew grew up and lives in west Michigan
with his wife and three children. He's worked
in a variety of capacities in the produce industry in Michigan and has
an master of science in plant biology from Michigan State University.
GreenStone Farm Credit Service
Cory is from Traverse City, Michigan. He
attended Michigan State University and the
Nathan Bender
Chief Operating Officer,
Tasteful Selections LLC
Nathan Bender grew up in Columbus,
Nebraska and attended the University of
Nebraska Lincoln, graduating with an agriculture business degree.
After graduating, he moved to Bakersfield, California, where he and
his father started growing baby potatoes in 2007. Tasteful Selections
has grown from 250 to over 15,000 acres. Nathan started in the
farming operation, then managed the packing plant and is currently
the chief operating officer. Nathan and his wife Malisa have two
amazing daughters: Madelyn, 6; and Morgan, 2.
University of Hawaii where he studied plant and soil science, and
worked in nematology. He then transitioned to an irrigation design and
installation specialist in Hawaii until relocating back to Michigan with
his wife Roxanne and daughter Lily Rose. He started with GreenStone
as a crop insurance specialist in 2014 and now leads its Fruit and
Specialty Crop Insurance Team.
Hannah Burrack
Professor/Extension Specialist,
North Carolina State University
Hannah Burrack is a professor and Extension
specialist in the Department of Entomology
& Plant Pathology at North Carolina State University where she has
worked since 2007. She leads the Specialty Crop IPM laboratory where
she develops biology based strategies to improve pest and pollinator
management in berries, grapes, tobacco, industrial hemp and other crops.
She is particularly interested in the biology of invasive species and enjoys
solving insect problems with Extension agents and growers.
Kevin Bittner
Pomology Specialist,
Bittner Singer Orchards
Kevin has worked with his father and brother
at Bittner Singer Orchards since graduating
from Cornell in 2004 with a degree in horticulture. He is involved in
the Barker Lions Club, Niagara County Farm Bureau and ARDP. Kevin
is also a graduate of the Lead New York program.
Dario Chavez
Assistant Professor,
University of Georgia
Dario J. Chavez is from Riobamba, Ecuador
and his family has farmed for four generations.
Chavez became the Peach Research and Extension Specialist at the
University of Georgia in 2014. His work focuses on plant production
based on the plant's genetic potential, orchard management practices,
growing environment and their interactions. He has created a new
program focusing on peach orchard management, tree longevity,
irrigation practices, root interaction with tree health, production and
plant breeding and genetics.
Brett Blaauw
Assistant Professor/Extension
Specialist, University of Georgia
Originally from southwest Michigan, Brett
is currently an assistant professor and
Extension specialist of peach entomology at the University of Georgia
and Clemson University. He is the regional peach entomologist
for Georgia and South Carolina with additional responsibilities
for a variety of other fruits, including apples and grapes. Through
addressing producer needs, his work highlights the importance of
IPM and the support of beneficial insects for the sustainability of
Southeastern fruit production.
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12 | VegetableGrowersNews.com
Susan Colucci
Technical Sales Representative II,
HM.CLAUSE/Harris Moran Seed Co.
Colucci graduated from North Carolina State
University with a master's in plant pathology.
After graduating, she worked in the mountains
of North Carolina with commercial vegetable growers as an area agent
for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. Since 2013,
Colucci has been a technical sales representative for HM.CLAUSE (Harris
Moran) throughout the Southeast. When she is not educating everyone
she knows about vegetables, Colucci enjoys being a dog mom to Hank
and Willie.
http://www.VegetableGrowersNews.com
October 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2020
