Why Sharing Is Caring and Winning for Ag Interests in New England
August 10, 2021 The Dalai Lama once said, “Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.” Surely, he had American Fruit Grower® magazine’s Apple Grower of the Year award in mind, and more specifically, the New Hampshire-based recipients of this year’s honor.
The Hardy family — father Chip and sons Trevor and (posthumously) Tyler — apparently knows a thing or two about spreading the wealth of their knowledge.
It received eight unique nominations toward Apple Grower of the Year. And in each instance, the person doing the nominating — either a grower or Extension official in the New England area — singled out the family’s ability to collaborate.
Some of those comments are mentioned in the August issue cover story. Here are a couple more that further illustrate the Hardy family’s exceptional ability to lend their expertise throughout the Northeast corner of the country:
“Chip and Trevor Hardy are on the forefront of innovation in fruit growing at their farm and are always willing to share what they do, as well as ideas. They are involved in many of the regional and national Extension programs and projects, as well as allowing researchers the opportunity to trial at their farm. Both have been, and still are, involved in Extension activities for decades. Trevor has been to UConn to teach a class on irrigation to the Small Fruit Production undergraduate course, and with COVID restrictions, he videotaped the class this year, knowing how important it is to share his wealth of knowledge with the next generation of fruit growers and Extension educators. Along that same vein, Brookdale Fruit Farm takes in college interns during the summer season to provide them with real-world experiences as they prepare for careers. I have had two of my students intern there in the past two years.” — Mary Concklin, University of Connecticut, Raspberry Knoll Farm
“Their contributions to the agriculture community can be documented by their financial support to agricultural organizations, their leadership with various agricultural organizations and community government, actively supporting and conducting research and demonstration projects with faculty and Extension personnel from the University of New Hampshire, and hosting agricultural events for farmers and the general public.” — George Hamilton, Emeritus, UNH Cooperative Extension
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