Longtime American Fruit Grower Contributor Honored For Work In Berries

Tourgoers of the NARBA conference got a chance to see some high tunnel research at Virgina State University's research station in in Petersburg, VA. (Photo credit: NARBA)

Tour goers of the NARBA conference got a chance to see some high tunnel research at Virginia State University’s research station in in Petersburg, VA. (Photo credit: NARBA)

Charlie O’Dell was presented with the NARBA's 2016 Distinguished Service Award. (Photo credit: NARBA)

Charlie O’Dell was presented with the NARBA’s 2016 Distinguished Service Award. (Photo credit: NARBA)

Charlie O’Dell, American Fruit Grower® and Western Fruit Grower® magazine’s expert on berries, was presented with the National Raspberry & Blackberry Association’s 2016 Distinguishing Service Award following his presentation at the conference’s luncheon entitled “A Lifetime In Berries” on March 3 in Williamsburg, VA.

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O’Dell was approached in 1982 by George McConnell to take his place as the regular berry contributor for American Fruit Grower and Western Fruit Grower magazine.

“He kindly visited me at my campus office in 1982 and asked if I would be interested in writing the berries articles for this respected national fruit industry magazine. I said ‘yes,’ and was very honored, traveled to Willoughby, OH to meet Richard Meister and staff and am so grateful to be able to continue doing these berries articles for the past 34 years,” O’Dell said. “I am still learning and sharing with berry growers what I learn. American Fruit Grower® has provided me a voice for berries far beyond campus, way beyond Virginia, a dream come true!”

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Following O’Dell’s speech, he received a standing ovation, and then the surprise presentation.

“It was a total surprise to me,” he says. “It is a beautiful plaque too that will hang in a prominent place at home!”

The NARBA conference, held March 1-4, offered the nearly 250 attendees tours of local growing operations, the research station at Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA, as well as other local industries who purchase berries from area growers.

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