Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/769560
8 JANUARY 15, 2017 Good Fruit Grower www.goodfruit.com New leader of UC Davis postharvest center F ood safety expert Trevor Suslow took over leader- ship of the Postharvest Technology Center at the University of California, Davis in September, and he's hoping to bring fresh energy, a greater focus on food safety and research capacity to the group. "The center is a group of extension specialists and affiliated facility that do the teaching and workshops," Suslow said. "It's not a research center, but that's one of my goals to try to make that happen." Suslow replaced Beth Mitcham, a postharvest pomologist in the Plant S c i e n c e s D e p a r t m e n t who stepped down after eight years leading the center. Suslow is no stranger to the center; he's been working with staff there in various ways since he joined the UC, Davis Department of Plant Sciences in 1995 as an exten- sion research specialist. Currently, the center's primary mission is education and outreach, and it hosts training on methods for reduc- ing postharvest losses and improving the quality, safety and marketability of fresh produce. It also disseminates the findings of affiliated researchers, but doesn't do any direct research at this time. Suslow said he'd like to change that so the center can do applied research to meet a growing need he sees from growers and produce processors for reputable third-party assessments of qual- ity and safety strategies. "One of my key goals for 2017 is to build up a tech- nical staff that can take up short-term applied projects on behalf of our clientele," Suslow said. "In my mind, we need to find ways to fill in the holes left by the drop in extension specialists with these nontenure track appointments." Taking the helm at the center means more administrative responsibility, but Suslow said he plans to continue his own research efforts. He focuses on strategies to improve postharvest quality and microbial safety of fruits and vegetables. That includes risk assessments for E. coli, salmonella and listeria in conventional and organic production systems from farm to packing facility. Quick Bites People and industry in the news. Read more Fresh Updates at goodfruit.com/fresh-updates Michigan State Hort Society honors Trinka, Veliquettes D ave Trinka and twin brothers Gene and Dean Veliquette were hon- ored by the Michigan State Horticultural Society with its Distinguished Service Award during the Great Lakes Expo Dec. 7 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Trinka is the vice pres- ident of agri-research and horticultural services for MBG Marketing. He over- sees all horticulture and research initiatives for the cooperative. The group represents blueberry growers in eight states and Canada. He also is the chairman of MBG's blueberry breeding company. He previously served as the horticulturalist and member relations manager for Michigan Blueberry Growers. Dean Veliquette is president of Cheries R Us Inc., which produces up to 20 million pounds of cherries per year from 2,800 acres. He and Gene, along with another brother, Norm, formed Cherry Ke in 1972. Since then, they formed several companies known for quality products, environmentally sound growing practices and innovative equipment designs and adaptations. Gene Veliquette, who died in 2015, was represented by his widow, Linda. Dave Trinka Dean Veliquette Linda Veliquette Trevor Suslow