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Adrian Huisman receives OFVGA Award of Merit

January 24, 2011  By Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association


NEWS HIGHLIGHT

Adrian Huisman receives OFVGA Award of Merit

The long-serving general manager of the Ontario Tender Fruit
Board and the Fresh Grape Growers Marketing Board was recently recognized for
his contributions to the Ontario horticulture sector.

January 20, 2011,
Guelph, Ont – The long-serving general manager of the Ontario Tender Fruit
Board
and the Fresh Grape Growers Marketing Board was recently recognized for
his contributions to the Ontario horticulture sector.

Adrian Huisman was named
the recipient of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA)
Award of Merit, presented at the organization’s recent annual meeting.

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“It was an honour for me
to present this award to such a deserving individual,” says Brian Gilroy, chair
of the OFVGA. “Adrian has devoted his career to working on behalf of fruit
growers and he is responsible for supporting and enabling many of the
industry’s successes.”

Huisman began his career
with what was then known as the Ontario Fresh Tender Fruit Marketing Board in
1966. During his long-standing tenure with the organization, he faced many
challenges, including substantial surpluses of sour cherries and processing
grapes; the devastation brought about by invasive diseases such as the Plum Pox
Virus, and imposed retail market changes.

In 1979, Huisman helped
shepherd growers through the amalgamation of the fresh and processing tender
fruit boards and oversaw the construction of the current head office of the
tree fruit and vine industries. In 2004, he played a key role in the creation
of the new Ontario Apple Growers organization, serving as its first general
manager.

“For 45 years, Adrian
has been a strong advocate for fruit producers in Ontario and a valuable resource
for all of agriculture,” says Gilroy. “He lives and breathes this industry and
his keen, practical, analytical and solution-oriented mind has provided long
term leadership to our industry.”

The OFVGA Award of Merit
is presented annually to an individual who has made outstanding contributions
to the fruit and vegetable industry.


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