The IR-4 Project is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 SOAR Award: Ricardo Bessin, Daniel Gilrein, and Ronda Hirnyck.
The SOAR Award honors external partners who exemplify the areas of Service, Outreach, Altruism and Research, while supporting specialty crop growers and the mission of The IR-4 Project. This year’s winners have made significant contributions not only to their individual research areas, but to the specialty crop industry as a whole. Learn more about the awardees below, from the perspectives of their nominators.
Dr. Ricardo Bessin, Extension Professor, University of Kentucky
Ric Bessin is an Extension Professor in the University of Kentucky’s Department of Entomology. He has served as the IR-4 State Liaison Representative (SLR) for Kentucky for many years. In addition to being his department’s Extension coordinator and go-to specialty crop expert, Bessin is the Pesticide Safety Education program lead and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) coordinator.
SERVICE — Bessin’s service to the specialty crop community has spanned many years through his role as IR-4’s Kentucky SLR. In this role, he has consistently voiced the needs of growers. His knowledge and expertise in entomology have helped deliver many effective solutions to specialty crop producers. He is known for the heart he brings to Extension work, always going above and beyond.
OUTREACH — Bessin regularly engages in outreach at regional and national growers meetings, field days, and professional workshops, building awareness and capacity for specialty crop growers to utilize new pesticide registrations.
ALTRUISM — Bessin’s altruism is apparent through his eagerness to serve as a voice for stakeholders in his region by generating high-priority IR-4 project requests for pest management needs and advocating for these needs at the Food Use Workshop. He is also an invaluable mentor in the academic community, encouraging faculty engagement with IR-4. Bessin spends countless hours on youth education and outreach through his involvement in 4-H.
RESEARCH — Bessin dedicates much of his time to applied research that targets pest management problems with limited solutions or demonstrated issues of resistance. This information has not only accelerated new pesticide registrations, but has also assisted in establishing use patterns and rates that lead to new labeled uses.
Daniel Gilrein, Entomology / Associate AG Program Director, Cornell University
Dan Gilrein exemplifies the four tenets of the SOAR award in his work for specialty crop producers—from vegetables to ornamentals, with a particular emphasis on environmental horticulture. Gilrein has a welcoming demeanor, a passion for helping growers succeed, and an “encyclopedic knowledge” of pesticide regulation.
SERVICE — Gilrein has worked hard to learn about the needs of specialty crop growers (including both ornamental and food crops). He seeks solutions and tests them, then helps growers understand how to use that knowledge to produce quality high value crops. Gilrein is a veritable treasure box of knowledge that he continuously expands and shares.
OUTREACH — Gilrein is a huge proponent of IR-4 and other sources of assistance for specialty crop growers. He attends many grower meetings, serves on committees, publishes articles and visits growers of all kinds. He serves as editor and contributor to Branching Out, a Cornell IPM newsletter. Beyond normal working hours and expectations, Gilrein makes himself available as a trusted, reliable resource for growers.
ALTRUISM — As humble as anyone can be, Gilrein sincerely strives to help others without any expectations or goals for recognition. He helps because he wants to help.
RESEARCH — Gilrein’s outstanding entomology work is varied and top notch. He understands pests in ornamental and food crops in both field and greenhouse, and submits impeccable, timely reports.
Ronda Hirnyck, Extension Specialist—Pesticides, University of Idaho
Ronda Hirnyck is an outstanding, long-time IR-4 State Liaison Representative (SLR) for Idaho. Since 1997, Hirnyck has been a vocal participant in the Food Use Workshop (FUW) , actively supporting the growers and commodity groups from her state and region. In particular, Hirnyck has been a trusted advocate for quinoa, sugar beet, beans, grasses, hops, lentils, mint, onion, potato, wheat and teff.
SERVICE — Hirnyck champions the needs of the various commodities she represents as an active and consistent FUW participant. She also provides statewide training in safe pesticide application and Integrated Pest Management (IPM), houses an EPA Region XI Field Center, and helps increase stakeholder engagement with IR-4.
OUTREACH — Hirnyck’s avid IR-4 outreach has fostered new leaders in the IR-4 community, such as Commodity Liaison Committee Chair, Todd Scholtz. Her dedication to education and to orienting new specialty crop researchers to IR-4 programs has been incredibly impactful in the Western Region.
ALTRUISM — Hirnyck exemplifies altruism through her ability to consistently place the needs of her stakeholders before herself. She finds new and innovative ways to allocate resources and makes sure that the needs of IR-4 are always at the forefront of her program. She does all of this with a contagious enthusiasm.
RESEARCH — Hirnyck’s residue research program is extensive, handling over 400 trials during her time at the University of Idaho. She also takes part in the development, handling and progress of Integrated Solutions and Performance trials. She oversees many projects, coordinating researchers for trials that fit within their purview. She plays an integral role in many IR-4 priorities.
Thank you, SOAR recipients and nominators, for all you do to further the mission of the IR-4 Project!
Learn more about the SOAR Award criteria and past recipients here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive announcements such as calls for future award nominations.
About The IR-4 Project
The mission of the IR-4 Project is to facilitate regulatory approval of sustainable pest management technologies for specialty crops and specialty uses to promote public well-being. By working directly with local crop growers across the country, IR-4 conducts research and develops data necessary for the registration of pest management tools, ensuring that they are safe for use. To learn more, visit our website.