2003 Distinguished Service Award

George R. Stover

George R. Stover was born and raised in Berrien Springs. He died on May 2, 2003, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. He is being recognized by the Michigan State Horticultural Society for his outstanding service to our state’s fruit industry.

He graduated from Berrien Springs High School and attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture from Michigan State University. His tireless work on the family farm included growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers. George sold many of his commodities on the family’s roadside stand and participated in several farmer markets in the Chicago suburbs.

George was dedicated when it came to helping the agricultural industry. He was involved in several agricultural organizations that impacted producers in Michigan and across the country. He was a member of the Michigan Processing Apple Growers Marketing Committee, Michigan Plum Growers Marketing Committee, and Berrien County Farm Bureau. He served a term as county Farm Bureau President, as well as serving on various county Farm Bureau committees. George also served on MACMA’s Board of Directors, and he served on the MACMA Red Tart Cherry Growers Marketing Committee.

In 1993 and 2003, George was the recipient of the Michigan Processing Apple Growers Distinguished Service Award, recognizing and appreciating his outstanding leadership, commitment, and unprecedented service to the Michigan Apple Industry.

On December 4, 2003, George received posthumously the 2003 Michigan Farm Bureau Distinguished Service Award.

Because of the many contributions he made to the fruit and vegetable industry, we are pleased to present the 2003 Distinguished Service Award to George R. Stover.

Jordan B. Tatter (Lifetime of Service Award)

Jordan B. Tatter was recognized statewide and nationally as a leader in agriculture and natural resources. He was born on July 16, 1937, in Grinnell, Iowa and died on January 18, 2003.

He graduated from Watervliet High School. Jordan completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in entomology, botany, and plant pathology from Michigan State University. He was also in the Honors College inaugural class and was a member of the Sigma Xi scientific honor society.

He began his career as an apple grower and an agricultural consultant, co-founding Prescription Farming in Eau Claire. He then worked as a district agent for fruit crops with the Michigan State University Cooperative Extension Service. From the Extension he went into private business, helping to build Hanson Cold Storage (formerly Southern Michigan Cold Storage) into one of the largest and most successful refrigerated warehousing corporations in the United States as President and CEO.

Govenor John Engler appointed Jordan to the Michigan Agriculture Commission in 1991 where he served as Chairman of the Commission four times and was still serving on the Commission at the time of his death. He served two years on the Michigan Natural Resources Commission. He represented the Michigan Department of Agriculture on numerous task forces and advisory committees. He was later appointed to the Seccia Commission to improve State services to Michigan Citizens and chaired the committee on improving State Services to Rural Citizens. He also served on the Govenor’s Act 51 Commission. This body made recommendations to the legislature on how to better use State transportation funds.

He served on the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Stakeholder Advisory Board and on the board of the MSU Foundation. He was a charter member of the MSU Extension and Experiment Station Council.

Jordan was president of the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses, a member of the Michigan Food Processor Association, the Michigan Frozen Food Packers Association, served on a number of corporate boards and was a member of the board of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.

He was Chairman four of his six years on the Board of the Detroit Branch of the United States Federal Reserve Bank. He was a member of the Watervliet School Board. Jordan was an active member of the Berrien County Republican Party. He was also a proud member of the Watervliet Lions Club and board member of Sarrett Nature Center.

This year, the Michigan State Horticultural Society and the Michigan Vegetable Council are combining their Distinguished Service and Master Farmer Associate Awards and presenting a Jordan B. Tatter Lifetime of Service Award.

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