2007 Scholarship Recipients

 

Adam Dietrich (Michigan State University)

Adam is working on his Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture. He has spent the last three years working on post harvest of fruit with Dr. Randy Beaudry. He will graduate in May 2008 and is looking forward to working in the Fruit Industry.

 

Soo-Hoon Samual Kim (Michigan State University)

Soo-Houn is working on his Master’s Degree in Entomology. He has done research work in apples with major pests such as codling moth and plum curculio. He would like to continue his studies, pursuing a PhD to become a professor.

 

Claudia Place (Michigan State University)

Claudia is working on her Master’s Degree in Food Science and her area of interest is the Fruit & Vegetable Industry. She has worked on research projects with Dr. Kirk Dolan on cherries, cherry juice concentrate and strawberries. After graduation she plans on pursuing a career in the Fruit Industry.

 

Timothy Schwallier (Michigan State University)

Timothy is working on a two-year degree in Agriculture Industries. He has worked at the post harvest lab in Clarksville for the past three summers. After graduating from the two-year program he plans on pursuing a degree in Horticulture and eventually work in the Fruit Industry.

 

Michael VonWeihe (Michigan State University)

Michael is working on a Master’s Degree in Horticulture. His particular area of interest is high tunnel bramble production. After graduation he hopes to pursue a career of teaching or extension in small fruits.

 

2006 Scholarship Recipients

 

Andrew Fles (Michigan State University)

Andrew is working on his Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture and will graduate in 2007. Viticulture and pomology are interest areas for Andrew. He would like to work in the wine industry, preferably in the State of Michigan mainly because of the opportunities it offers.

 

Stephen Jordan (Michigan State University)

Working on his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Stephen’s area of interest is fungal diseases of grapevines. His plans are to complete his degree in the fall of 2007. After graduation, he would like to continue at the university level doing lab research with a dual emphasis on the biology of plant pathogens of fruit crops, primarily grapes, and devising novel strategies for control.

 

Kevin Rasch (Davenport University)

Kevin is working on his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. He has scouted for UAP and Wilbur Ellis and attended training sessions at the Trevor Nichols Research Center. His plans include consultation for growers and the writing of chemical recommendations to the fruit industry.

 

Michael Swindeman (Michigan State University)

Majoring in Horticulture with an area of interest in fruit production, Michael is very committed to a career in the apple industry. His plans upon graduation are to return to the family farm. His emphasis will be on managing the orchards and increased production and fruit quality.

 

Martin Villarreal (Michigan State University)

Martin in working on his Entomology Bachelor’s Degree at MSU. His area of interest is in fruit tree entomology and biological controls. His aspiration is to further his education and focus on either fruit tree or forensic entomology specialization at an educational, research, or governmental level.

 

 

2005 Scholarship Recipients

 

Adam James Dietrich (Michigan State University)

Adam is working on his Master’s Degree, majoring in horticulture. He has worked on his family’s farm and worked in Postharvest Research on apples and various fruits at MSU. Adam’s plans after graduation include working for a chemical company working for the fruit and vegetable industry in Michigan or managing a fruit packing and processing plant.

 

Brian C. Hosmer (Michigan State University)

Majoring in Viticulture and Enology, Brian will be receiving his Master’s Degree in 2006. He works in his department in the vineyards trellising, pruning, harvesting, irrigation installation, fruit assessment, and has worked for the laboratory and winery. Brian would like to stay in Michigan to share his gained knowledge with other fruit growers to improve fruit quality and reduce usage of sprays by sharing scouting practices and disease/pest information.

 

Juliette King (Michigan State University)

Juliette is working on her Bachelor’s Degree in Agri-business Management and Horticulture. Growing up on a farm, Juliette has been very active in all aspects of farming, including office and retail sales to cherry harvest and labor. She would like to return to her father’s farm and further expand its operations and would like to eventually start a vineyard and winery with a tasting room.

 

Stevie Lynn Malone (Michigan State University)

Stevie Lynn is working on her Bachelor’s Degree in plant pathology. She has extensive experience scouting fruit and vegetable crops and is working for West Central Michigan Crop Management Association. Stevie plans to pursue her Master and PhD degrees in Plant Pathology, and become a university professor and conduct research on fruit and/or vegetable crops to help farmers prevent and control devastating crop pathogens.

 

Nobuko Sugimoto (Michigan State University)

Nobuko’s goal is to receive her PhD in Postharvest Physiology. She is currently working in the area of biosynthesis of apple aroma during ripening from the biochemistry and genetic aspects in the relationship to the apple’s physiology. Her goal is to maintain and improve the flavor in fruits and vegetables to benefit both producers and consumers.

 

 

2004 MSHS Scholarship Recipients

William Bristol (Michigan State University)

William is majoring in Horticulture/Pomology and will be transferring into a four-year horticulture program at MSU. His plans after graduating include returning to the family farm where he will begin to transfer everything from standard rows to high density planting. His plans also include marketing and sales of the family business.

Jason F. Jablon (Michigan State University)

Jason’s major at MSU is in Applied Plant Science. He plans on becoming an IPM scout/crop advisor specializing in tree fruit and in organic solutions to help farmers to be able to switch to organic production. He believes there will be a growing market in this area and he plans on specializing in organic and fresh tree fruit production selling directly to consumers and retailers.

Dario Stefanelli (Michigan State University)

Dario will major in Horticulture with special interest in organic apple production. He has participated in MSU’s Student Organic Farms, has been an Organic Orchard Consultant volunteer, and an active HOGS (Horticulture Organization Graduate Students) member. His plans include working in a fruit industry doing research and to help increase fruit health and quality.

Stephen Tennes (Michigan State University)

Stephen is currently working on his Master degree in Horticulture and is a HOGS (Horticulture Organization Graduate Students) member. In addition to his studies, he is slowly assuming all management responsibilities of his family’s apple orchard, pumpkin patch, cider mill, and farm market. It is his intention to continue to run and expand the farm and become more involved in Michigan’s fruit and vegetable industry.

Yufei Xu (Michigan State University)

A current member of HOGS (Horticulture Organization Graduate Students), Yufei is majoring in Horticulture with special interest in Pomology and Molecular Biology. Yufei would like to build up international collaborations to benefit the Midwest fruit industry.

 

 

 

2003 MSHS Scholarship Recipients

Chrislyn Drake

Melissa Sue Moser

Kevin Rasch

Barbara M. Schmidt

Aaron Smith

 

 

 

2002 MSHS Scholarship Recipients

Mavis Tan

Mavis received a BS degree in Food Science from MSU in August 2002.  She has been accepted into MSU’s graduate program and is working with Dr. Janice Harte on two projects.  One is Chestnut based project development and the other is Apple cider.  She has received various scholarships and been involved with several organizations in her undergraduate career.

 

Creela Overton

Creela is currently enrolled at Grand Valley State College, majoring in natural resource management.  She is the secretary of the Soil and Water Conservation Society on campus.  She has spent the last two summers working in the I.P.M. Scout Project in West Central Michigan.  Her career goal is to become a chemical and pest management consultant.

 

Mercy Olmstead

Mercy is currently enrolled in the P.H.D. program at MSU.  Her area of interest is Cherry physiology and dwarfing.  In her undergraduate years she has worked with the grape and wine industry in CA. & WA State.  Her career goal is to have an extension position with MSU and teach at the college level.

 

Jeff Russell

Jeff is currently enrolled in Southern Illinois University.  His major is Plant, Soil and General Ag.  He has worked with the SIU research orchards.  His career goals are to teach Horticulture at a community college and to grow fruits and vegetables.

 

Katy Winkel

Katy is currently enrolled at MSU majoring in Agribusiness.  Her experience includes working on a Fruit and Vegetable farm, SW Research and Extension and Michigan’s Plum Advisory board.  Her goal is to market produce internationally.

 

 

 

 

2001 MSHS Scholarship Recipients

Cathy Pisano

Brian Rajzer

Gary Thornton

Randall Vos

Kasey Watts

 

 

 

2000 MSHS Scholarship Recipients

Jennifer L. Anderson

Ernesto Huaracha

Amy T. Irish-Brown

Emelee A. Reifschneider

Benjamin Stanley Schilling

 

 

 

1999 MSHS Scholarship Recipients

Timothy J. Beemer

Tim will receive his Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, with an emphasis in pomology, on Friday this week. He hopes to attend graduate school for pomology. Tim, the son of Norma and John Beemer, is from Northville, MI (near Detroit), has been involved in the MSU Marching Band and is an Eagle Scout and Assistant scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America. He has worked with Phil Schwallier and Ron Perry, and for Kropf Orchards. He hopes to work for a grower services company with orchard and vineyard clients, or manage an orchard.

 

Jessica S. Hackert

Jessica, the daughter of Roy and Sue Hackert of Ludington, will receive her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business Management in May 2001. Jessica has been active in many student organizations and on-campus activities. She has worked for Hackert Farms and with Dr. Don Ricks at MSU. She hopes to return to the farm at some point in the future. She would like to be involved in the public policy aspect of the fruit industry and hopes to intern with a Michigan Congressman.

 

Daniel J. Wampfler

Dan is the son of David and Ann Wampfler of Midland, MI. His major is horticulture with an emphasis in viticulture and enology and he is scheduled to graduate in May 2001. He has worked in an organic research lab at Dow Chemical Co., in the Chemistry Dept. at MSU and with Dr. Stan Howell of the Dept. of Horticulture. His current work with Dr. Howell includes vineyard, winery and laboratory work. His future goals include close involvement with the grape industry of Michigan.

 

 

 

 

1998 MSHS Scholarship Recipients

Lisa Winkel

Lisa is the daughter of Rodney and Jeanette Winkel of Watervliet. She is a senior at MI State Univ. majoring in Agribusiness Management. She has worked five years at Coloma Frozen Foods, two years at Cherry Marketing Institute and at Greg Orchards and Produce as needed. She has been on the Dean’s list for six semesters, has twice received the Michigan Frozen Food Processors Assoc. Scholarship, has received the Panhellenic Council Overseas Study Scholarship, the Glynn McBride Assoc. of Farmer Cooperatives Scholarship, the MSU Study Abroad Scholarship, and the MSU College of Ag. Study Abroad Scholarship. She has been active in many civic and public service activities as well as student organizations. After college, she hopes to obtain a job with an agribusiness firm either in sales or office management. After gaining some experience she would like to return to the family business, Greg Orchards & Produce, to manage a fresh fruit packing plant. She also envisions the addition of a farm market with u-pick and a restaurant for families and tourists. (More info on attached bio.)

 

John Rasch

John is the son of Vincent Rasch and Maryann Teisman both of Grand Rapids. John is a Junior at Michigan State University majoring in Horticulture. He currently works at the Ed and Don Rasch Farms. In 1997 hed worked as an IPM scout intern for Grower Service Corporation. He has received the Aubrey Riebel Scholarship and the Michigan Competitive Scholarship. In the past he participated in Michigan Boys’ State and was an assistant coach of a Pioneer Little League team. John has also been a speaker at the Michigan Apple Promoters “Apple Blossom Day” for the past two years. After graduation he would, at this point, prefer to farm, but may instead become involved in some other aspect of the horticultural industry. (more info on attached bio.)

 

 

 

1997 MSHS Scholarship Recipient

Melanie Kaeb

Melanie is from Lowell, Michigan and is completing her senior year at MSU studying Biochemistry and Biotechnology. Her on campus advisor is Dr. Mark Whalon. Melanie is interested in the biochemical, biological and the ecological insect interactions which are occurring in Michigan apple orchards. In the future, she would like to work for the Michigan apple industry in a research, extension or pest monitoring role after completing a master’s degree at Michigan State University.