Dec 16, 2024

GLEXPO Distinguished Service Awards

Michigan hort society names award recipients

By Madi Schafer, Contributing Writer

Celebrating the achievements of individuals whose contributions have shaped Michigan’s agricultural landscape, the Michigan State Horticultural Society (MSHS)’s Distinguished Service Award and Master Farmer Awards honored David Smeltzer and Vance Baird.

The awards were presented at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO on Dec. 11, 2024. 

David Smeltzer

For David Smeltzer, agriculture is more than a profession — it’s a family legacy that spans more than a century. His great-great-grandfather established the family’s fruit farm in northwest Michigan in the 1880s.

After graduating from Alma College in 1979, Smeltzer joined the family operation, quickly earning recognition as a leader in the agricultural community. His service on the Northwest Research Station in Suttons Bay, Michigan, marked the beginning of decades of involvement in agriculture and community development. Settling in Onekama, Michigan, in 1991, Smeltzer joined the Onekama Township Planning Commission, serving for 17 years, including 11 as chair.

As chairman of the Michigan Cherry Committee, Smeltzer has championed the interests of growers statewide. His roles on boards including MSHS and the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation reflect his deep commitment to advancing horticulture.

A devoted family man and community volunteer, Smeltzer has coached softball, managed stage productions, and officiated high school basketball and baseball games. Through the Michigan High School Athletic Association Student Legacy Program, he mentors young referees, nurturing future leaders in sports and beyond. Smeltzer’s 18 years of service in the local jail ministry and his efforts to promote farm safety show his passion for fostering a safe and inclusive community.

In 2019, Smeltzer’s farm hosted Michigan’s only Progressive Agriculture Safety Day, welcoming more than 300 students and 100 volunteers to promote safety and rural health. 

Vance Baird

Since joining Michigan State University (MSU)’s Horticulture Department as chairperson in 2009, William “Vance” Baird, has been a driving force in advancing Michigan’s specialty crop industries. With a distinguished career at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, prior to MSU), Baird brought expertise in plant response to environmental stress, gene expression and fruit tree genome research.

At MSU, Baird has strengthened ties between the university and Michigan’s fruit and vegetable industries, advocating for a balance between applied research and practical programs. His leadership has ensured support for faculty and the integration of junior researchers into Michigan’s agricultural ecosystem.

As director of MSU’s Plant Biotechnology Resource and Outreach Center, Baird has spearheaded initiatives in fruit tree transformation systems and micropropagation for blueberries and asparagus. National recognition includes the Outstanding Leadership and Administration Award from the American Society for Horticultural Science.

For more than a decade, Baird has been an integral part of the MSHS board, ensuring strong connections between growers and the academic community.