Join us in congratulating Dr. Terry Bates, Senior Research Associate, at Cornell University (Horticulture) New York State Agricultural Experiment  Station. Terry has been granted the first ASEV Extension Distinction Award. The ASEV Extension Distinction Award recognizes a current extension educator based on his or her outstanding contribution of: (1) information in enology or viticulture through his or her extension program, or (2) the translation of novel research findings into commercially applicable tools for enologists or viticulturists.

Terry’s nomination attested to his leadership in the applied research and extension effort in vineyard mechanization on ‘Concord’ grapes in the Lake Erie region. It was also noted that based on Terry’s research trials, growers now have a new, tested tool – mechanical crop estimation and thinning – to adjust cropping levels to seasonal conditions. Terry also directs the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory (CLEREL), which since opening in 2009 provides a new model for integrating research and extension for the industry. He leads the extension effort, which includes a Farm Business management specialist, IPM coordinator, and viticulturist. Ongoing research efforts involve educating the industry on economic impacts, demonstration in commercial vineyards, and dissemination of results through field meetings, annual conventions, and newsletter articles. Terry is a past president of the ASEV Eastern Section chapter. He has authored or co-authored well over 20 technical articles in extension and trade publications. Terry’s collaborations have had a nationwide impact as well as a direct economic impact on the Lake Erie region grape producers. We look forward to Terry’s presentation at the 2014 National Conference in Austin and to presenting him with his well-deserved honorarium and plaque.