Produce industry leaders join Bayer CropScience in recognizing innovation

Bayer CropScience has enlisted leaders from three top produce industry groups as judges for the first-ever Bayer CropScience Produce Innovation Award. The winner of the inaugural award program will be announced Feb. 24 – 25 at the 2015 Ag Issues Forum in Phoenix.

Produce Innovation Award judges are Tom Stenzel, president, United Fresh Produce Association; John Keeling, executive vice president and CEO, the National Potato Council; and Bryan Silbermann, CEO of the Produce Marketing Association. Adrian Percy, global head of research and development at Bayer CropScience, completes the judging panel.

The award will honor a leader in the produce industry whose thinking, practices and use of technology enhance the role of produce in creating better lives. Bayer CropScience is accepting applications for the award through 5 p.m. on Jan. 12, 2015.

“We are honored that top influencers from key produce industry organizations share our excitement about discovering growers whose innovations lead the way in enhancing lives,” said Rob Schrick, Bayer CropScience strategic business management lead – horticulture. “The industry has a tremendous positive influence on health and nutrition, both in individual lives and for society overall.”

The Bayer CropScience Produce Innovation Award will recognize a grower whose innovative efforts improve yield and quality of a produce crop; increase accessibility of produce to a broader group of people; or increase demand for produce by expanding awareness and appreciation for the health benefits of fruits and vegetables, including tree nuts and potatoes.

The award is open to any grower who receives a significant portion of income from the production of a crop within the citrus, grape (including wine grape), pome fruit/stone fruit, tree nut, vegetable, berry or potato industries. In addition to recognition as a produce innovator, the winner will receive a $10,000 grant to advance their award-winning innovation or to support a project in their local community that also increases the positive contributions of produce in people’s lives, as well as an all-expense paid trip to the Ag Issues Forum in Phoenix, and a $2,000 gift card to the Apple Store to further efforts in business technology.

For more information or to submit an application, visit Bayer’s website.