Mar 16, 2016

Bakker given Distinguished Service Award

John Bakker, executive director of the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board, the Michigan Onion Committee and the Michigan Carrot Committee, received the Distinguished Service Award from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University on March 8.

Bakker was one of three individuals recognized with the Distinguished Service Award, given to individuals or partners who have made outstanding contributions to Michigan’s agriculture and natural resources industries, and who possess high standards of integrity and character and positively reflect and enhance the prestige of CANR. Recipients demonstrate a commitment to MSU and CANR by continuing outstanding levels of leadership and volunteerism at the state, national or international level.

For more than two decades, Bakker worked as a pest and fertility crop consultant and field researcher for fruit and vegetable growers. He has been an advocate for the agriculture industry and for Michigan State University, where he studied soil science, horticulture and entomology.

Bakker led the effort to secure two federal grants for asparagus growers – a $7.5 million grant from the Asparagus Market Loss Program and a $2 million grant from the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program. He was recognized with the MVC Master Farmer Associate Award in 2014 and the Friend of Oceana Agriculture Industry Award in 2009.

The other Distinguished Service Award recipients were William E. Moritz and Don Sklarczyk.