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ARS Employees
Recognized at Agriculture Secretary's 2004 Honor Awards Ceremony
By Luis Pons
June 25, 2004 WASHINGTON, June 25--U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ann M.
Veneman today honored staff of USDA's Agricultural Research Service for exemplary
contributions in agricultural research. These awards were presented this
afternoon at the 58th Annual Secretary's Honor Awards Ceremony held in the
Ronald Reagan International Trade Center.
"These awards highlight the dedication and talents of ARS employees who
contribute in so many ways to improving the world around us," said ARS
Acting Administrator Edward B. Knipling. "The accomplishments of each of
these honorees exemplify public service at its best."
ARS honorees were recognized for developing a soybean variety lacking that
vegetable's major human allergen, improving soybean irrigation and production
system technology, making advances toward better understanding risks posed by
protozoan parasites to the environment and to food and water supplies, and
other accomplishments.
The Honor Awards are the most prestigious awards given by USDA and the Plow
Award is the highest USDA Honor Award. These awards were presented to the
following individuals and teams:
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More about
Herman's research.
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- Eliot M. Herman, ARS, St. Louis, Missouri--Plow award for developing a
hypoallergenic soybean that yields a higher percentage of soybeans versus other
protein in animal rations and human foods.
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- Protozoan Parasite Epidemiology Team, ARS, Beltsville, Maryland--Plow
award for conducting intensive surveillance research for protozoan parasites by
incorporating novel molecular epidemiological approaches that have greatly
enhanced our understanding of risks to the environment, food and water supply.
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More about
Heatherly's research.
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- Larry G. Heatherly, ARS, Stoneville, Mississippi--Plow award for leading
research in soybean irrigation technology, the stale seedbed planting system
and the early soybean production system for the mid-southern region of the
United States which resulted in increased yields and profits.
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More about Fanta's
research.
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- George F. Fanta and team members, ARS National Center for Agricultural
Utilization Research, Peoria, Illinois--Honor award for outstanding efforts in
developing a starch-lipid composite material for food and industrial
applications called "Fantesk" and for effectively transferring this
technology to industry.
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More about wheat
starch research.
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- Gregory M. Glenn and William J. Orts, ARS Bioproduct Chemistry and
Engineering Research Unit, Albany, California--Honor award for creating a
market for U.S. wheat producers through the use of wheat starch to develop
food-service packaging products.
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More about Vargas'
research.
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- Roger I. Vargas and team members, ARS U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural
Research Center, Hilo, Hawaii--Honor award for developing an effective and
sustainable area-wide program to suppress fruit flies in Hawaii. This program
will enable the expansion of fruit and vegetable production in rural Hawaii.
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More about Casey's
research.
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- Thomas A. Casey and team members, National Animal Disease Center, Ames,
Iowa-- Honor award for discovering and commercially developing imaging
technology that provides the meat-processing industry with a new mechanism to
detect organic carcass contamination.
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More about Anderson's
research.
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- Gerald L. Anderson and team members, ARS Northern Plains Agricultural
Research Laboratory, Sidney, Montana--Honor award for developing and
implementing a biologically based, integrated leafy spurge management effort
throughout the United States and Canada. This approach preserves natural
resources, controls leafy spurge and protects the environment.
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More about Carruthers'
research.
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- Raymond I. Carruthers and C. Jack DeLoach, ARS Western Regional Research
Center, Albany, California, and ARS Grassland, Soil and Water Research
Laboratory, Temple, Texas--Honor award for leading a consortium that developed
and implemented an innovative, cost-effective and environmentally friendly
biological control management strategy to control invasive salt cedar in
riparian areas.
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- David L. Suarez and team members, ARS Southeast Poultry Research
Laboratory, Athens, Georgia--Honor award for developing and implementing rapid
diagnostic tests, vaccine evaluation and policy development to control an
exotic Newcastle disease outbreak in the United States.
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More
about conference.
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- Richard V. Greene and team members, ARS Office of International Research
Programs, Beltsville, Maryland--Honor award for outstanding management and
logistical oversight in implementing a global-scale ministerial conference on
agricultural science and technology.
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- Wayne H. Funkhouser, ARS Animal and Natural Resources Institute,
Beltsville, Maryland--Honor award for extraordinary dedication and creativity
in protecting consumers' health and well-being through his support of the Food
Safety and Inspection Service Food Safety Mobile. The Food Safety Mobile
delivered food and safety information to a variety of communities.
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