When I started with Extension, I was fresh out of my Ph.D. program with Dr. John Masiunas…and really wet behind the ears compared to what I know now. I have so many people to thank for sharing their expertise and friendship throughout my career, including colleagues, growers, and support industry. Like winning the Oscar, I want to share who has been especially important throughout my career.
Dr. John Masiunas (dec.) was my graduate advisor for both my master’s and Ph.D. program at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Once he knew I wanted Extension for a career, he provided opportunity after opportunity throughout my graduate program to present at commercial grower programs and conduct field research with grower cooperators. Many of you remember John, and that he was rendered a quadriplegic in 1992 following a car accident. John exemplified the willpower and courage it took to overcome such a major life hurdle, returning back to a productive work life just one year later. John and I continued to collaborate on weed management projects until his passing in late 2019, and he will forever remain an inspiration to me.
Carroll “Chris” Doll (dec.), retired Illinois Extension, was my beloved mentor for all things tree fruit, horseradish and Extension up until his passing in 2020 at the grand age of 93. Like John, he demonstrated a passion for knowledge and a true love for Extension work…not to mention his passion for all-things fruit and horseradish production. He also had a love for cards, and it wasn’t until he turned 90 that I was able to actually beat him in a few hands of liar’s poker…still not sure he wasn’t just feeling sorry for me for all the years of losses to him.
On the show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” players have an option for calling a friend. My call list has always included Drs. Brad Taylor (SIU), Alan Walters (SIU) and Rick Weinzierl (Ret., UIUC). How to express what their collegiality and friendship over the years have meant to me? They definitely have my highest respect, being some of my favorite people both professionally and personally.
There are just some people you work with more than others, so I want to mention some of my colleagues who have meant the most to me over the years. Robert Bellm, retired Illinois Extension, was my mentor for all things Extension. Bronwyn Aly, I have known the longest and what a blessing to have a colleague I so respect for over 25 years. Jeff Kindhart (dec.) must have had a photographic memory, the amount of knowledge he possessed and could bring forth was just short of amazing…gone too soon and still missed by those who knew him. And I can’t not share my regard and respect for Nathan Johanning.
I have been fortunate to have had three secretaries and a program coordinator, respectively, who without them, I could not have done my job…Elizabeth “Liz” Determan (ret.), Patricia “Patty” Stanton (ret,), Rosemarie “Rose” Sisco, and Sarah Ruth. Some of my newer colleagues deserve my regard as well…Dr. Kacie Athey with Crop Sciences and Dr. Trent Ford, the Illinois State Climatolgist.
When I think back on all the growers I have known over the years, it is beyond my ability to list them all and not miss someone. I have always been so grateful and amazed how so many growers never said “no” to a request to host a meeting, give a grower talk, provide research space, or provide crop updates. Tom Schwartz was the first grower I met after starting my Extension career, and all I can say is Tom has been a go-to guy for me my entire career. Tom Ringhausen was the second grower I met, and he gave me a test upon our initial meeting. He asked me to identify the fruit sizing guide he had pulled from his pocket. When I answered correctly, he pulled out the stool next to him and invited me to have a seat. I want to thank the Eckert family as a whole, but a special note of thanks to Chris and Jim Eckert and their farm operations manager, Tom Dutkanych. The Rendleman family, especially Ren and Betty Sirles, Wayne and Michelle Sirles, with a very fond remembrance of Ren’s mother, Helen (dec.). Ren called me one time and said he needed to host a meeting so it would rain, and guess what, we all sat on hay bales on the wagon, in the rain, while Ren happily talked about his production methods. The Flamm family, especially Bill (dec.), Ed (dec.) and ‘Slim’ (dec.) Flamm, Jeff and Austin Flamm, and Mike and Parker Flamm. The Eilermans, esp. Jerome (dec.), Marty and Kyle Eilerman, and Paul Eilerman. The Mills family, including Jerry Mills and his daughter Sherry Chase. The Tanner family, including Richard, Marilyn and Craig Tanner. I might note Richard plays a mean game of liar’s poker too! For my Macoupin County connections, a shout out to Jeff Broom, Bob and LaVerne Malham (dec.), and Dale and Becky Conrady. And I can’t forget to share my regard for Joe and Sina Ringhausen and their son Dennis.
I didn’t know them back when they resurrected the Illinois Vegetable Growers Association, but I got to know them later when I joined Extension…so a special thanks to Randy Klein (dec.), Tom Halat and Donnie Ahrens for your unwavering support of the industry, mentoring of future generations of growers, and for their support of Extension.
I need to mention my Illinois Cider Contest amigos, Steve Bock (dec.), Pat Curran, and Raoul Bergersen…for years we worked together running the IL cider contests, and it was always a great time. Jim ‘Rabbit’ Shannon and Tom Schwartz (grower mentioned above) were always my go-to for the supply side of the industry and great traveling companions. The Horseradish Growers of Illinois as a whole…what a great “family” to work for and with, especially Barry and Matt McMillin, Craig, Lindsey and Lauren Keller, Craig and Ken Engeling, Fred, Jeff, Dennis, and Ross Heepke, Jerry and Tim Kruckeberg, Ed and Rob Gerstenecker, George Willaredt (dec.), Carl Weissert (dec.), John and Rob Relleke, Don and David Willaredt, Bob (dec.), Jean and Dan Fournie.
The more I type, the more people who bring a smile to my face in remembrance, so I will leave with this: I have been very blessed to have known so many wonderful people during my career, and it has been a pleasure and privilege to help support the specialty crop industry. I wish I could list everyone, but everyone not specifically mentioned, know you will always hold a place in my heart, and my gratitude for your support.
I would be remiss in not mentioning my thoughts on Extension. I grew up with Extension and was a 4-Her for a time in my youth, and I am doubly grateful for my career as an adult in Illinois Extension. I still believe in Extension and believe it plays a vital role in developing educational programs, extending knowledge, and building partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state’s land-grant institution.
How we get our information is indeed changing, especially with the rapid growth and adoption of artificial intelligence. People who don’t know about or utilize Extension are the ones who question its need, but I would argue it is needed more than ever. In a world where the validity of information is now questionable or even based in reality, Extension remains the unbiased research and outreach arm of the land-grant system. Please continue to support Extension as you have me throughout my career.
Thank you! Elizabeth