Ronald Prentice graduated from Bangor High School in 1951. During High School he lived and worked on various farms and was a member of the FFA. One of these farms was the Norris and Evelyn Mackinder farm in Grand Junction, MI. The Mackinder family welcomed him as one of their own and later supported him to attend Michigan State University.
Ronald graduated from MSU in 1957 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture. He was also certified to teach Agriculture. After a short military career, Ron began working at Michigan Fruit Canners in Fennville in the Ag Department as a Fieldman and in 1961 he became Head Fieldman. During his career Curtis Burns, Inc. bought Michigan Fruit Canners. He held many positions in the company including Plant Manager, Industrial Relations and VP of Production and Warehousing. Ron became President in 1980 and took early retirement from the company in 1988. He then went to work in 1989 for Cherry Ke, Inc. and Shoreline Fruit, Inc. until April of 2007. He currently manages Cherry Growers, Inc. Ron serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of CherrCo, Inc.
Ron also has served in a number of organizations. These include the Douglas Community Hospital Board; Fennville High School Board of Education as the President; Michigan Food Processors Association, Life Member and past President; National Food Processors Association; PA 344 Ag Marketing and Bargaining Board; Chairman of the Pacesetters-Blossomland United Way Campaign and Member of the Twin Cities area Chamber of Commerce.
Ronald has received several awards throughout his career. He received the first “Fieldman of the Year” Award in 1960 from Michigan Fruit Canners. In 2008 he received the Cherry Industry Man of the Year award.
Ron has two adult sons, David and Danny, from his first marriage. His second wife, Shirley, who had five children, passed away in 2001. In 2004, Ron married Barbara Johnson.
The Michigan State Horticultural Society is pleased to present the Distinguished Service Award to Ronald Prentice for his many years of service to the Fruit Industry.