2003 Extension Award
Stephen Hoying

Steve Hoying organizes many tree fruit extension events, including very valuable orchard tours. One of the many benefits of attending IDFTA events is the tours sponsored by the association. These tours can last for a few hours to several days. The planning and coordinating involved in putting together diverse, meaningful stops that attempt to cover the broad interests of the membership is Steve Hoying's forte. Some of the best tour compliments are received for tours in New York. This is not because the apple industry is better in New York than in other regions but because of Steve Hoying and the Extension educators at Cornell University. The individual who has coordinated all the tours in New York since the early '80s is Steve Hoying.

Steve Hoying grew up in Ohio and Australia. After receiving a degree in entomology at Michigan State he came to Cornell Cooperative Extension in 1982. He is the horticultural specialist based with the Lake Ontario Fruit Team, however he travels throughout the state for stone fruits and follows up the planting trials started by Dick Norton. He is also a partner in conducting grower field trials with research colleagues, particularly Dr. Terence Robinson, at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva.

Steve has been an active member and presenter at many annual IDFTA meetings. He is the consummate extension agent -- always available, always having new ideas and always sporting a "can-do" attitude.

2003 Researcher Award
Dr. Herb Aldwinckle

Dr. Herb Aldwinckle is a native of England. He obtained his B.A. at Cambridge University and Ph.D. at London University.

After graduation he worked in the Plant Pathology Departments at University of London; University of California, Davis; University of California, Berkley; and in 1970 moved to Geneva, New York. He currently is Professor of Plant Pathology at Cornell University's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva.

Dr. Aldwinckle’s focus is disease resistance and genetic engineering of fruit crops, apple germplasm exploration and evaluations, and coffee bean biotechnology.

Dr. Aldwinckle collaborated with Dr. Jim Cummins in the development of the Cornell-Geneva (CG) disease-resistant rootstock series. His genetic engineering efforts transferred fire blight resistance to apple rootstocks and varieties. In 1997 and 1999 Dr. Aldwinckle led expeditions into central Asia, China and Turkey to collect indigenous apples, both seed and clones, for the USDA National Plant Germplasm Repository located at Geneva.

Over the years his fire blight research with rootstock and genetic engineering research have received funding by the IDFTA. He has spoken several times to this organization, including the Robert F. Carlson lecture in 1997. His work on tree fruit diseases, genetic resistance and genetic engineering hold promise for the future of the fruit industry.

2003 Grower Award
Darryl Oakes

Darryl Oakes grew up on the farm he operates today in Lyndonville, New York. After attending Penn State he returned to the farm in 1974 and joined the business with his father, Jim Oakes. Today’s farming operation includes Darryl’s wife, Linda, nephew Jeff, and sister Wendy. They grow over 200 acres of apples and tart cherries. Their fruit is sold wholesale, retail, PYO, for cider and store door delivery.

Many IDFTA members know Darryl from conference grower panel discussions, his serving the association as a board member and President and from visiting his farm on IDFTA tours. Darryl has always been one to try new ideas on his farm. This often occurs after returning from IDFTA meetings. His staff often asks, "What are we changing this year?"

Darryl has been very involved in the fruit industry including the IDFTA, Cooperative Extension, New York State Apple Growers Association, Premier Marketing Coop and New York State Horticultural Society. He is also active in his local school board and church. When he is not busy at any of these functions, he is acting in plays for a nearby theater group.

Darryl is a grower who has always had an “open book” approach toward fellow growers and the industry as a whole. Whether for an IDFTA tour, extension meeting or unexpected visit from a neighbor, Darryl, Linda and their family have benefited the fruit industry and the IDFTA.