Michigan grower, former vegetable council president dies at 62

The former president of the Michigan Vegetable Council and a fixture in the state’s agricultural industry has died.

Victor Shank, 62, died Jan. 5 at his home in Dowagiac, Michigan.

Shank, who served on the MVC from 2003-2011 and as its president from 2007-2008, was honored with the organization’s Master Farmer Award in 2019. The award is given in recognition of outstanding farming practices and leadership as well as cooperation with Michigan State University researchers and Extension educators.

Shank also served on the Michigan Asparagus Marketing Program Advisory Board and was president of Central Produce Sales, which produces fruits, vegetables and seed corn. The business facilitates the production and delivery of up to 11,000 acres annually of green beans to processors who can or freeze them.

Shank farmed for more than 30 years, growing asparagus, apples, seed corn, snap beans, zucchini and cherries. He studied agricultural economics at the University of Arkansas.