Jul 16, 2020
Organic growers included in 40 under 40 awards
Several individuals with connections to organic production will be honored in the Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under 40 Awards.
The annual awards program recognizes 40 young professionals who represent the best in the fruit and vegetable industries. The Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under 40 Class of 2020 will be honored at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO, and recognized in the October 2020 issues of Fruit Growers News and Vegetable Growers News.
A full list of award recipients is here. Below are some of the 40 individuals who have connections to organic agriculture:
Kevin Bittner, pomology specialist at Bittner Singer Orchards.
Kevin has worked with his father and brother at Bittner Singer Orchards since graduating from Cornell in 2004 with a degree in horticulture. He is involved in the Barker Lions Club, Niagara County Farm Bureau and ARDP. Kevin is also a graduate of the Lead New York program.
In addition, he serves on the New York Farm Bureau Organic and Director Marketing committee.
Rob Glover, owner and farmer of Rob Glover Farming, LLC.
Born and raised in Bailey, North Carolina, Glover is a third generation farmer.
Rob grows a wide variety of crops including squash, watermelons, honeydew, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, strawberries, and broccoli. He also has organic sweet potatoes as well as organic broccoli.
He is involved in many different organizations propelling the industry forward. He is involved in the Wilson County Young Farmers Association, NC Sweet Potato Commission, Nash County Young Farmer, NC Watermelon Association, National Watermelon Association and others.
Kari Molter, co-owner of Molter Produce.
Molter owns and operates Molter Produce, certified organic since 2008, with her husband, Aaron. They manage approximately 700 acres in Southwest Michigan which includes wholesale and retail ready vegetables, high density orchards, and row crops. She handles the sales/shipping operations on the farm, as well as manages the greenhouse, labor, and their food safety program.
Molter has served on the Berrien County Farm Bureau board since 2017, was a pilot member of the MI GroupGAP program, and is involved with the Michigan Agri-Women. Her and Aaron have two daughters, Helen and Pearl.
Justin Morgan, vice president of Morgan Composting.
Justin is the Vice President of Morgan Composting, the Michigan-based company started by his father and grandfather over 20 years ago. The company’s clients include many organic growers.
Today Justin helps oversee operations including organic composting, compost blend creation, organic potting soil manufacturing, organic granulated fertilizer production, and more for the DAIRY DOO line of products. Justin is passionate about soil health and seeing the next generation get excited about growing their own food.
