Leslie Huffman, apple specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, retired March 1.

She joined OMAFRA in 1981 and worked in fruit and vegetable extension and as the weed management specialist for horticultural crops. Since 2008 she has been the province’s apple specialist. She was a frequent traveler with the International Fruit Tree Association.

Earlier this year, she received the Golden Apple Award for outstanding contributions to the apple industry, presented at the annual banquet of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association.

She and her husband, Doug Balsillie, will focus their attention on the fruit farm they operate with their four daughters near Harrow.