Vegetable and Fruit Growers News recognizes Aaron Cato with 40 under 40 award
“Dr. Cato is a strong contributor to the Division of Agriculture, and he is an important resource for stakeholders to address, prevent, and manage fruit, vegetable, and pecan pests." — Mary Savin
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LITTLE ROCK — Fruit and Vegetable News has recognized Arkansas Extension Horticulture Specialist Aaron Cato by including him in its 40 under 40 Awards.
Cato, whose work is in integrated pest management, was selected for the honor by a panel of industry experts. The honorees were recognized at the Great Lakes Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Dec. 10.
“I really appreciate being recognized by Vegetable and Fruit Growers News, these are
national specialty crop trade magazines that I try to read every month,” Cato said.
“There are a lot of very impactful extension specialists across the country that share
information about emerging pests and new forms of control through these publications.
“I really feel like I am working in the right direction with our specialty crop industry
in Arkansas and the Mid-South when being recognized on this scale,” Cato said. “I’m
hopeful I can continue this momentum and help reduce pest impact in our region as
much as possible for growers trying to make fresh produce more of a reality in the
Mid-South.”
Mary Savin, head of the Horticulture Department for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, said the department was very pleased with the recognition.
“Dr. Cato is a strong contributor to the Division of Agriculture, and he is an important resource for stakeholders to address, prevent, and manage fruit, vegetable, and pecan pests,” Savin said. “Dr. Cato produces diverse, relevant, and timely extension programming for horticulture producers in the state and the southeastern region, and he is truly someone to watch and seek for guidance in horticulture pest management.”
Fellow Extension Horticulture Specialist Amanda McWhirt, herself a past 40 under 40 award winner, nominated Cato along with Extension Horticulture Program Associate for Integrated Pest Management, Ryan Keiffer.
“Dr. Cato has done a phenomenal job developing and expanding pest management support to fruit and vegetable producers in the Mid-South and nationwide,” McWhirt said. “He is deserving of this national recognition for his highly impactful program.”
Keiffer said "Dr. Cato's research and extension programs here in Arkansas have highlighted him as a regional authority on fruit and vegetable IPM principles; and I'm very glad to see him recognized by the Fruit and Vegetable 40 Under 40 for his contributions thus far.
“His commitment to delivering research-based information to growers, agents, and industry professionals is unparalleled,” Keiffer said.
“I really want to thank Amanda McWhirt and Ryan Keiffer for putting me up for the award,” Cato said.
The Cooperative Extension Service is the outreach arm of the Division of Agriculture.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media contact: Mary Hightower
mhightower@uada.edu