Mar 8, 2021

Michigan State University will honor 11 ag, natural resources leaders

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University will honor 11 leaders in agriculture and natural resources on March 12.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University (MSU) will honor 11 leaders in agriculture and natural resources for leadership at the community, state, national or international levels during a virtual ANR Awards Program on March 12.

CANR Distinguished Service Awards

CANR Distinguished Service Award recipients are recognized for outstanding contributions to Michigan’s agriculture and natural resources industries and who possess high standards of integrity and character to positively reflect and enhance the prestige of the CANR. These recipients demonstrate a commitment to MSU and CANR by continuing outstanding volunteerism and leadership on behalf of or in conjunction with the university on a local, state, national or international level.

The 2021 CANR Distinguished Service Award recipients are:

• Stephen Herbruck, Greg Herbruck and Harry “Herb” Herbruck, of Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, in Saranac, Mich.
• Brian Sackett, of Sackett Potatoes, in Mecosta, Mich.

Alumni Service Award

The CANR Alumni Service Award selection is made from candidates who have demonstrated continuing outstanding volunteer service to MSU, the CANR or meritorious public service on a local, state, national or international level. Candidates must possess the highest standards of integrity and character to positively reflect and enhance the prestige of the CANR. The 2021 recipient is:

• Mark Moorman, Ph.D., director of food safety, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Distinguished Faculty Award

Distinguished Faculty Awards recognize faculty members who have brought distinction to the CANR through teaching, research and/or outreach and provided leadership that has helped students, faculty members and/or citizens reach their potential for excellence. Recipients are:

• Karim M. Maredia, Ph.D., professor in the MSU Department of Entomology and Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences (PSM).
• Gale Strasburg, Ph.D., professor in the MSU Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alumni Award

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alumni Award recognizes alumni for their professional accomplishments, service and contributions in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion to the CANR, their field and community. Receiving the DEI Award is:

• Leonard A. Savala, III, Ph.D., director of the Office of Multicultural Student Engagement at Wayne State University (WSU).

Honorary Alumni Award

The Honorary Alumni Award is given to someone who has made a distinctive contribution to the CANR on a state, national or international level; has relieved the suffering of disadvantaged people; or contributed to any unique program that benefits humankind. Receiving the Honorary Alumni Awards are:

• Kenneth J. Rauscher, president of the Lansing Area Agricultural and Natural Resources Club.
• Karen Schroeder, vice president and co-owner of Mayberry Homes.

Outstanding Alumni Awards

Two awards for CANR Outstanding Alumni were given to those who have distinguished themselves by obtaining the highest level of professional accomplishments, and who possess the highest standards of integrity and character. Recipients are:

• Dean E. Beyer, Jr., Ph.D., retired research biologist Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and adjunct professor for the MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.
• Max Gonzenbach, retired CEO, Valley Queen Cheese Factory.

Outstanding Young Alumni Award

The Outstanding Young Alumni Award honors individuals who have distinguished themselves by obtaining a high level of professional accomplishment and who possess high standards of integrity and character to positively reflect and enhance the prestige of the CANR within 10 years of graduation. The recipient is:

• Kaytlyn Brinkman, northern regional manager for the American Tree Farm System at the American Forest Foundation.

Farm Lane Society

In addition, 10 individuals were inducted into the Farm Lane Society at a virtual event on March 5.

The Farm Lane Society honors individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and to foster their continuing involvement in the College and Alumni Association. Honorees are former CANR Alumni Association Board members or recipients of a CANR Alumni Association Award or the CANR Distinguished Service Award from the previous year. This year’s Farm Lane Society cohort included:

• Thomas Bailey
• Troy Bancroft
• George Bird
• Susan Chamberlain
• Doug Cron
• Dirk Drost
• Frank Ettawageshik
• Trever Meachum
• Truman Surbrook
• David Weatherspoon

The ANR Awards and Farm Lane Society events are part of the ANR Month activities celebrating Michigan’s impact and contributions to agriculture and natural resources. ANR Month (formerly ANR Week) has served as a platform for enterprising new developments in agriculture and natural resources in Michigan since 1914. For over a century, attendees have networked, learned about new developments in their fields and looked toward solutions for the future.

Learn more about ANR Month.

Photo a top: From left, Greg Herbruck, Stephen Herbruck and Harry “Herb” Herbruck, of Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, recipients of the 2021 CANR Distinguished Service Award recipients. Photo: MSU