Brian Maynard, Ron Strasko honored by IPPS

HARTFORD, CT -- Before a crowd of about 150 people, the International Plant Propagators Society Eastern Region presented the 2016 Award of Merit to Brian Maynard, and the 2016 Fellow award to Ron Strasko. The awards were presented at the IPPS Eastern Region annual meeting, which took place Sept. 22 in Hartford, Conn. The Nominating and Recognition Committee ranked many nominees based on qualifications and the winners were determined by highest scores.

The Award of Merit is the most prestigious award bestowed on a member by the Eastern Region. It is for an individual who has made a significant contribution to the field of plant propagation and production. This can be in the form of scientific discovery or the application of facts to the propagation and production of plants, development of new practices or techniques, services rendered to the science and practice of plant propagation and production, or extraordinary service to the society.

Maynard has been a professor of horticulture at University of Rhode Island since 1992 and an IPPS Eastern Region member since 1986. He is no stranger to IPPS awards, having received the IPPS Research Award in 1992 and having been named a Fellow of the Eastern Region in 2003. He chaired the Local Site Committee for the 1997 and 2010 Eastern Region conferences and has served on 10 other IPPS committees. Brian has published over 20 papers in the IPPS Proceedings on subjects such as old stock plants for cuttings; subirrigation on rhododendrons & stockplant etioliation.

The Fellow Award was created to acknowledge outstanding members of the IPPS, Eastern Region, who have contributed to the advancement of the Society and to the field of plant propagation and production. This recognition is for contributions to the IPPS through participation, service, leadership, research, teaching or extension work. Only active members with at least 10 years of membership are eligible.

Strasko receives his award from IPPS Recognition Committee Chair Peggy Walsh Craig.

Strasko founded Creek Hill Nursery in Leola, Pa. in 1990, and has pioneered the use of modular systems for live roof installations. Strasko has published in the IPPS Proceedings on ornamental grasses and on tip cuttings and has three plant patents for ornamental grasses. His service to IPPS includes the 2012 Local Site Committee, Chairing the Area Meeting Committee in 2005 plus two terms on the Long Range Planning Committee. Ron has been an IPPS Eastern Region member since 1987and served as a Director to the Eastern Region Board from 2003-05.