Dr. Ronald Perry , Professor

Joined Department

August 1, 1980

Appointment

34% Research, 33% Extension, and 33% Teaching

Education

Ph.D., Horticulture, Texas A&M University, 1980
M.A., Horticulture, Texas A&M University, 1975
B.S., Fruit Science, Caly Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA, 1968

Specialization and Areas of Interest

• Orchard and Vineyard Technology

• High density orchard establishment and management

• Root system morphology and physiology related to soil dynamics

• Wine Education

Professional Experience

Professor Horticulture, Horticulture,MSU, Aug 07-present
Professor and Chairperson, Horticulture, MSU, 2002-07
Professor and Acting Chairperson, Horticulture, MSU 2000-02
Professor Horticulture, MSU 1993-2000
Associate Professor, Horticulture, MSU, 1985-1993
Assistant Professor, Horticulture, MSU, 1980-1985
Lecturer and Research Assoc. Hort Science Dept.Texas A&M, 1975-1980
Research Associate Hort Science Dept.Texas A&M, 1972-1975
Orchard and Vineyard Forman, Crops Science Dept, Cal Poly, SLO, 1966-68

Bio Sketch

I began my career at Michigan State University in 1980 as a tree fruit extension specialist and conducted research on tree fruit rootstocks, soil relations and high density orchard development and management. I served as Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Horticulture from 2000 to 2007 while maintaining an applied research program in ground floor management in organic apples and continuation of assessing new rootstocks for apples. In 2007, I returned to the faculty where I have a 3-way appointment which includes teaching 3 courses; HRT 332 Tree Fruit Production, HRT 430 Exploring Wines and Vines (created) and HRT 206 Pruning Woody Perennials (co-created and co-teach). I also conduct research and outreach in fruit and vineyard technology. Working close with the fruit industry has always been the most enjoyable part of the job. It has meant working closely with extension educators and growers to solve problems and help our industry transition into the new era in the fruit industry. I have been a resource for various workshops and served as the Educational Coordinator of the Michigan State Horticulture Society. On a wider scope, I also served as Executive Secretary of the International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association (today IFTA) from 1986-1989. I was introduced to orchards as a member of a fruit and nut producing family in the Santa Clara Valley of California. There, our father ran a small family orchard producing apricots, cherries, prunes and walnuts. After high school I furthered my education and interest in fruit production by attending Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo, California and received a B.S. in Fruit Production, in 1969. Following a 3 year stint in the US Army, I worked as a fruit research technician/associate and lecturer in the Department of Hort. Sciences at Texas A&M University, where I concurrently completed the requirements for a Masters and PhD in Horticulture. For my Masters degree, I authored an extension bulletin on a feasibility study for wine grape production for the state, and for my PhD, studied the characteristics of grape root systems and rootstocks as it relates to phytopathogensis of a soil borne pathogen native to SW US. As a research associate, my primary responsibility was to establish wine grape variety trials throughout the state and developed a micro-vinification laboratory to evaluate wine quality associated with field performance. While on faculty at Texas A&M, I also taught courses in propagation, temperate fruit production, viticulture, citrus and subtropicals and tropical horticulture. As Chairperson of the Department of Horticulture, I served as MSU CANR representative on the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council, the Michigan State Horticulture Society, among other commodity organizations. Over the years I have also judged wine in competitions for the State of Michigan, Great Lakes Wine Competition, Taster's Guild and the Indy Wine Competition in Indianapolis.

Honors

* Fruit Man of the Year Award, Michigan Association of Pomesters, 2009

* Distinguished Service Award, Michigan State Hort Society, 2007

* Master Farmer Associate Award, Michigan Vegetable Council, 2007

* ASHS Outstanding Extn Pub. 2005 JASHS, HortSci, and Hort Tech. Gut, L, P. McGhee & R Perry

* Distinguished Researcher Award from the International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association, 1991

* Carnegie Fellow, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, Mar - Sept, 1991

* Distinguished Service Award from the Leelanau County Horticultural Society

* Distinguished Fruit Specialist Award, Michigan State University Extension

 

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