Career Well Done: Taking a Moment to Honor a Berry Genius
October 18, 2022 
Cheers and congratulations to Dr. Bernadine Strik on her retirement from Oregon State University. Her enthusiasm, intelligence, and participation will be missed in the field.
At the end of December 2021, a quiet but dynamic change occurred in our berry community with the retirement of Dr. Bernadine Strik from Oregon State University. Many of you, like me, have admired her work for decades and benefited from her research and Extension programs. As far as berry culture and physiology research and Extension, she was the best.
As I reflect on 40 years of involvement with berry research and Extension, there are a few key characteristics that made the difference among the “difference makers” in this field:
1. Enthusiasm, and Bernadine was the most enthusiastic berry researcher I ever interacted with. Inspired folks get things done, and she is the perfect example.
2. Intelligence coupled with common sense is critical to put innovative ideas in place while keeping in mind the practical use of results. I marvel at her achievements. She blended substantial scientific depth with practical application while always keeping in mind a result that could benefit growers.
3. Data and results make little difference if they cannot be communicated. Bernadine is among the best public speakers I have observed, and I learned many years ago that when she was speaking, I better pay attention because valuable information, delivered in an effective style, was being conveyed.
HER CAREER
Bernadine first joined Oregon State in 1987 as an Assistant Professor. Bernadine’s Extension, research, and teaching programs focused on berry crop physiology and production systems. She conducted some of the most innovative studies affecting berry growers, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. Her most recent research on organic blueberry production yielded many impactful results, particularly in the use of weedmat as a mulch and the importance of fertilizer source and rate. But this is just the tip of the iceberg of all the important studies done on a range of berry crops in her career. Her record of presentations and publications is unbelievable in breadth and depth.
She also served as the Oregon State lead on the USDA-ARS & OSU Cooperative Berry Crops Breeding Program, co-releasing 38 varieties of blackberry, strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry for the industry. She and long-time colleague Dr. Chad Finn created magic in their cooperative breeding program activities. Having a cultural management expert coupled with a top-notch breeder gave their program an added edge in meeting industry needs along with insight in managing the new varieties after release.
Bernadine also excelled in teaching, with her academic duties including teaching three undergraduate and graduate courses and advising 21 graduate students. Her service to the university and professional organizations was broad, including mentoring junior faculty and being on promotion and tenure committees in the department and the college, while also co-convening national and international conferences.
Strik received numerous awards in her career including the Chad Finn Ambassador Award from the American Pomological Society, being named a Fellow in both the International Society for Horticultural Science and the American Society for Horticultural Science, the Duke Galletta Award for excellence in horticultural research by the North American Blueberry Council, the Distinguished Service Award by the North American Raspberry and Blackberry Growers Association, and the Oregon State University Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award.
About 20 years ago I had in hand at the University of Arkansas the first primocane-fruiting blackberry selections ever created. I knew these likely had promise, but I did not know how to manage the plants to achieve commercial yields. I thought: ‘Who is the best person in the world to work with these unique plants?’
It did not take me long to contact Bernadine and ask if she would conduct management research.
She quickly said ‘yes,’ and before long she was making great strides in evaluating cane management techniques to take these plants from very low yielding to full commercial yield potential. Her studies with then graduate student Ellen Thompson resulted in the standard practice of double tipping primocanes, an essential step in maximizing yields. It was a joy to see her magic carried out on these plants!
My most cherished moments at professional or grower meetings were to share the podium with her and Dr. Finn. We had the honor of speaking together at many meetings. I always knew that when Bernadine, Chad, and I got done speaking, there was something valuable shared, everyone smiled, and most were excited about our messages. These were powerful moments in our careers.
Dr. Bernadine Strik, the ultimate berry professional, friend, and legend. Let the berry good times roll!
Subscribe Today For
