Ruskey and Mussen Receive 2010 Pedro Ilic Award
The awards are named for Fresno County small-scale farm advisor Pedro Ilic, whose untimely death in 1994 prompted UC to annually honor those who carry out his legacy of personal commitment to small-scale and family farming. The annual awards honor an educator and a farmer who embody characteristics that helped make Ilic a success. Read more on the Pedro Ilic Award...
Ruskey owns Condor Ridge Ranch, where he has 22 acres of rolling hills under fruit tree cultivation. He runs Calimoya.com, a Web site committed to offering sustainably produced, delicious and satisfying fruit to consumers throughout the country. In addition, Ruskey markets his products at natural food stores, local farmers markets and restaurants.
The outstanding educator recipient, Mussen, served with Ilic on the Small Farm Work Group in the 1990s. “Eric is a worldwide authority on honey bees, but no problem is too small and no question too involved for him to answer,” the nominators write. “He devotes his research and extension activities to the improvement of honey bee health and honey bee colony management practices. Eric helps growers, consumers, UC farm advisors, agricultural commissioners, scientists, beekeepers, researchers, pesticide regulators, 4-H’ers, and state and national agricultural and apicultural organizations. He ignites their interest in maintaining the health of bees, cultivates their friendship, and generously gives of his time and intellect.” Read more...