Michigan Ag Connection - MACA Honors Educator of the Year

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MACA Honors Educator of the Year
Michigan Ag Connection - 09/14/2018

The Mid America CropLife Association (MACA) honored an academic leader at its recent annual meeting in Des Moines, Iowa.

The MACA Educator of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Aaron Hager, University of Illinois. The award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated significant contributions to American agriculture, especially in the MACA region. Also, the person has demonstrated evidence of consistency in educating the public on the values of production agriculture.

Aaron Hager is a native of west-central Illinois where he was raised on a corn and soybean family farm. He received a B.S. in Plant and Soil Science in 1991 from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; his M.S. in weed science from Michigan State University in May, 1993. Later that month, he joined the University of Illinois as a weed science extension specialist. In 2001, he completed his Ph.D. in weed science and joined the Department of Crop Sciences faculty ranks in 2002.

As an associate professor of weed science at the University of Illinois, Aaron is responsible for weed biology and management research in corn and soybean production systems. His research focuses on examining the biology and management of weed species that are becoming increasingly common and problematic in Illinois. Additionally, Dr. Hager has responsibility for the production and annual revision of extension-related publications and coordination for several weed science educational programs in Illinois.

As a nominator stated, "Aaron continues to do a great job of educating the public. His focus on doing what is right by the grower has always been evident. The ability to keep the conversation at a level that can be not only understood but easily replicated was one of Aaron's best attributes when in front of the customers."

"Here in Illinois his advice and expertise has been second to none for the past 20+ years and his ability to communicate consistently and accurately no matter the situation, is a breath of fresh air," stated another nominator.

The Mid America CropLife Association (MACA) is a non-profit association of manufacturers, distributors/formulators and allied industry of crop protection products in 13 Midwestern states. MACA works to research issues relating to crop production and to work together to improve the crop life cycle, via health, safety and public education.

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