Harold Thome, center, is honored with the Hall of Fame Award in Grand Rapids on Feb. 8, 2016. <b>(Ross Courtney/Good Fruit Grower)</b>

Harold Thome, center, is honored with the Hall of Fame Award in Grand Rapids on Feb. 8, 2016. (Ross Courtney/Good Fruit Grower)

The International Fruit Tree Association presented its 2016 award winners tonight (Monday) at the annual conference awards banquet at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

  • Researcher of the Year, Dr. Randy Beaudry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
  • Extension Award, Amy Irish-Brown, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids
  • Grower Award, Ed Wittenbach, Belding, Michigan
  • Industry Service Award, Ken Hall, former IFTA president, Poplar Grove, Illinois
  • Hall of Fame Award, Harold Thome, grower, Grand Rapids