Covert Fruit Grower Receives MSU Distinguished Service Award
3/6/08
Contact: Francie Todd
517-432-1555, ext 168
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Paul J. Rood, Jr., of Covert, Mich., has received the Michigan State University (MSU) Distinguished Service to Agriculture and Natural Resources Award.
MSU President Lou Anna Simon and Jeffrey Armstrong, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, presented the award March 4 during the Agriculture and Natural Resources Week luncheon at MSU.
Rood owns Paul Rood Orchards, a centennial farm specializing in tree fruits. A major producer of pears in the eastern United States, the orchard also produces and markets plums and apples.
Rood has participated in numerous field research trials on his farm. In addition, he has supported MSU Extension and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) in local educational and research programs and as an advocate for industry support. Rood received three degrees from MSU: a bachelor’s, a master’s and a doctorate, all in horticulture.
Actively involved within the fruit industry for many years, Rood is noted for having developed a program to provide pears to farm markets in the Midwest instead of sending them to out-of-state processors. He is a member of the Michigan State Horticultural Society, the Michigan Pear Research Association and the Michigan Apple Research Committee, and was appointed to the Michigan Plum Advisory Board by Gov. Granholm in 2005.
Rood is one of two individuals recognized this year with the MSU Distinguished Service to Agriculture and Natural Resources Award for their success in Michigan agribusiness or natural resources-related enterprises and their commitment to leadership in community, state and national activities. The other recipient is Donald Gibbs, of Onondaga, Mich.
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