Congratulations to Dr. Jim Walgenbach, who was inducted last Friday into the WNC Ag Hall of Fame!

The WNC Community Development Association (now WNC Communities) started the Hall of Fame to honor those who have made major contributions to the advancement of WNC agriculture. Dr. Walgenbach is one of approximately eighty people to be inducted since the award was established in 1991. (A full list of recipients, which includes many former researchers from the MHCREC, is at the WNC Communities Ag Hall of Fame page.) The Hall of Fame itself is housed in the Davis Event Center at the WNC Ag Center in Fletcher.

Dr. Walgenbach has led the entomology program at MHCREC since 1986. In that time he has worked with insect pests of apple, tomato, and other crops to develop Integrated Pest Management practices that are effective, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable. His extension presentations, publications, and personal relationships with growers have made his research practical and relevant to the whole farming community. He has also mentored numerous post-doctoral researchers, PhD and Master’s students, and countless summer employees over his forty seasons of field work.

Again, congratulations to Jim!