2024 Distinguished Service Awards

David C. Smeltzer

Farming has always been in David C. Smeltzer’s blood. His great-great-grandfather established the family’s fruit farm in northwest Michigan in the 1880s, and for over a century, his family has proudly continued this tradition.

Dave grew up working summers on the farm and joined the operation as a partner in 1979 after graduating from Alma College. Shortly after, he was honored to be appointed to the Northwest Research Station in Suttons Bay.  By 1991, he and his wife settled in Onekama Township. That same year, he joined the Onekama Township Planning Commission, serving for 17 years, including 11 as Chair.

Over the years, Dave has been deeply involved in organizations that reflect his commitment to agriculture and the community. He currently serves as Chair of the Michigan Cherry Committee. His dedication has also extended to serving on the boards of the Michigan State Horticultural Society, Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation, the Benzie-Manistee Horticultural Society, the Benzie-Manistee Farm Bureau, the Manistee County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, and the Manistee County Conservation District.

As his children grew, he became an active volunteer in their school activities. He coached softball, assisted the ski team, and served as stage manager and set builder for the high school’s annual community play. For several years, he coached summer softball for the Manistee County Recreation Association. Today, Dave continues to give back as a high school basketball official and a softball/baseball umpire. Through the MHSAA Student Legacy Program, he mentors young referees, helping the next generation develop confidence and skills.

For 18 years, Dave’s also been involved in a local jail ministry, a deeply meaningful service. In recent years, he’s helped organize and host community events. In 2019, his farm hosted Michigan’s only Progressive Agriculture Safety Day, welcoming over 300 K-12 students and 100 volunteers to promote farm safety and rural health in collaboration with community partners.

Family is at the heart of everything he does on the farm. It’s a point of pride that he’s farmed in this region for generations—not just with blood relatives, but also with a dedicated team. Two long-time employees dedicated over 40 years to his farm, leaving a lasting legacy of loyalty and shared purpose in agriculture. Their contributions are a testament to the deep bonds formed within this industry.

Dave feels incredibly fortunate to live and work in such a beautiful part of Michigan. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities as he gets to work outside, connect with the environment, and contribute to Michigan’s original “green industry.”

The Michigan State Horticultural Society is pleased to present the 2024 Distinguished Service Award to David C. Smeltzer.

Dr. Vance Baird

William Vance Baird joined the Horticulture Department at Michigan State University in 2009 as Chairperson, leaving Clemson University where he had been on the faculty for 20 years -- and served as interim Chairperson for his last year and a half there.  At Clemson, he progressed through the faculty ranks and was designated an Alumni Distinguished Professor in 2006.  His scientific expertise is in the areas of plant response to environmental stress, gene expression, nuclear genome structure/function in tree fruit, and subcellular effects herbicide in weed and crop development.

At MSU, Vance works closely with representatives across the diversity of Michigan’s specialty crops industries to foster strong and beneficial relationships among faculty members in the Horticulture Department and industry stakeholders at multiple levels.  He has been an advocate for faculty lines with meaningful mixtures of applied research and outreach responsibilities – as well as a balance between fundamental and practical programs.  In doing so, he has worked collaboratively to assure sufficient resources for the continuation of impactful programs of existing faculty, as well as for the successful establishment of junior faculty beginning their careers at MSU -- with expectations they develop strong ties to the vegetable and fruit industries. He also serves on the Directorate of CANR’s Institute of Agriculture Technology’s certificate program in partnership with Michigan’s Community Colleges.

For over a decade he has participated in Project GREEEN as a reviewer for both applied and Extension proposals, and on the Director’s Action Team.  In addition, he is the Director of the Plant Biotechnology Resource and Outreach Center that, among other activities, develops fruit-tree transformation systems, and micro-propagated blueberries and asparagus, for industry partners.

Vance has been an ex-officio member of the Michigan State Horticultural Society board since 2009. In that time, he has faithfully attended meetings, connecting growers to the Horticulture Department. Vance has been a strong advocate for keeping industry-facing positions filled to best serve the needs of Michigan’s fruit growers.

Recently, Vance was honored with the Outstanding Leadership and Administration Award from the American Society for Horticultural Science. This national award is given to only one person annually and is the perfect recognition for the work he has undertaken the last 15 years as the leader of one of the largest horticulture departments in the country.

The Michigan Vegetable Council is pleased to present the 2024 Master Farmer Award and the Michigan State Horticultural Society is pleased to present the 2024 Distinguished Service Award to Vance Baird.

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