Apr 3, 2025

IFTA recognizes industry leaders

At their western New York conference, members of the International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA) honored individuals for their contributions to the horticulture industry.

Growers, horticulturists, researchers and Extension personnel received recognition during a business meeting and awards session at the organization’s 68th conference in Rochester, New York.

Robert “Bobby” Brown, owner of Orchard Dale Fruit Co. of Waterport, New York, was presented the Outstanding Grower of the Year Award.

Brown is a grower willing to open his farm to Cornell researchers to conduct trials, take chances on new technology and sacrifice what might be best for a growers’ own interests.

“He mentors and teaches and brings other people there to understand what’s good for the industry is good for them and helps bring younger folks along and teaches them,” said award presenter Brett Kast of Kast Farms in Albion, New York.

“In fruit growing in general, there’s no secret recipe,” Brown said. “There’s no silver bullet. You can search for that for years to grow better fruit. One thing IFPA has done for me is help me find our own recipe for our own farm and share ideas with some of our team. It has done the same for all of us over the years. Thanks for all the tours and the trips and opening up each others’ brains with information on their farms.”

Art Agnello, professor emeritus in Cornell’s Department of Entomology, received the Outstanding Extension Educator award.

Agnello started in Geneva, New York, as a tree fruit Extension entomologist. Over the next 35 years, Agnello conducted research on a range of topics including pest management issues and crafted models that are essential to today’s grower operations, including establishing the apple maggot trap design and numerous studies evaluating pheromones, said Kast.

One thing IFPA has done for me is help me find our own recipe for our own farm and share ideas with some of our team. It has done the same for all of us over the years.”

Jon Clements, University of Massachusetts (UMass) Extension fruit team leader, won IFPA’s 2025 Industry Service Award. Clements has been on the cutting edge of digital outreach and education, said award presenter Andre Tougas of Tougas Family Farm in Northborough, Massachusetts.

“John pushed Massachusetts and New England growers to modernize their orchards, planting tall spindle blocks and farms across the state through his MOP up Massachusetts Orchard Production Management upgrade program,” Tougas said. “John’s passion is in tree fruit, horticulture, and digital communication and technology and where those two topics intersect. It would take too much time to list all the ways John has reached and helped New England growers and growers across the country and world.”

IFTA Hall of Fame Robert “Bob” Black of Catoctin Mountain Orchard in Thurmont, Maryland, was inducted into the IFPA Hall of Fame.

Reserved for individuals who make lasting impacts on the IFTA, the award is the organization’s highest honor and isn’t presented every year for good reason, said Jennifer Baugher-Benton of Adams County Nursery in Aspers, Pennsylvania.

Described as “a dear friend to the association,” Black, a second- generation farmer, was lauded for his community involvement, ability to connect with others and genuine desire to learn, Baugher-Bent said.

“One of Bob’s favorite sayings is ‘Every day is a learning day.’ He has carried this spirit into his involvement with IFTA,” she said. “Bob has attended IFTA meetings for countless years. He served on the board and is on the IFTA research committee. He has always been willing to share his own experiences to this group of growers. I know Bob is grateful for all of the quality take-homes IFTA has provided over the years. So many new ideas to apply to his own operation leading to improvements in the way they do things on their farm.”

Christopher Watkins, professor in Cornell’s School of Integrative Plant Science, Horticulture Section, received IFTA’s Outstanding Researcher Award for his postharvest science research program. Terence Robinson, a Cornell professor of horticulture, presented the award, which recognized Watkins’ industry contributions in postharvest storage issues.

Additionally, Kyle Ardiel of Apple Springs Orchards in Ontario, Canada, succeeded Craig Tanner
of Tanners Orchard in Speer, Illinois, as IFTA chair. Amy Irish Brown, Molly Thurston, Michael Flinchbaugh, Justin Finkler and Joe Rasch were nominated and elected to serve three-year terms on IFTA’s board of directors.

Doug Ohlemeier, Assistant Editor