At its annual meeting on February 23, NARBA presented its annual Distinguished Service award to Bernadine Strik of Oregon State University and Fred Finney, retiring President of NARBA. Congratulations to them both! Professor of Horticulture and Extension Berry Crops Specialist at Oregon State University and the Berry Crops Research Leader at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center, Dr. Bernadine Strik has over 30 years of experience in research, teaching and grower education at OSU and has a berry crops consulting business where she works with growers and companies internationally. She has published over 200 scientific papers and many Extension materials and book chapters on berry crop production and physiology. Her educational and research programs are world-renowned and she has received many awards for her achievements. A NARBA member since 1990, she has been a speaker at numerous NARBA conferences – including this in Ventura – where her expertise in caneberry nutrition management was highlighted. Chad Finn, USDAARS Corvallis, Oregon, gave the introduction for her award.
NARBA has been giving its Distinguished Service award annually since 2010. See the list of previous recipients at www.raspberryblackberry.com/about-narba/narba-distin-guished-service-award/. Photo from left: Julie Schedeen, Chad Finn, Bernadine Strik, Fred Finney. Photo by Jill Bushakra.