Through the IR-4 Project awards program, we recognize employees, industry partners, and stakeholders for their dedication to the future of specialty crop protection and pest management.
Jerry Baron SOAR Award
2026 Jerry Baron SOAR Awards
The nomination period is now open for the 2026 Jerry Baron SOAR Awards. Use the button below to complete the form and submit your nomination(s). In the form, you will find instructions for submitting (required) letters of support. All forms and letters of support must be received by 11:59 pm PST on Friday, July 31, 2026.
Guidelines
The Jerry Baron SOAR Award recognizes external collaborators who excel in serving growers of specialty crops and minor uses. The selected recipient will have demonstrated clear excellence in Service, Outreach, Altruism, and Research (the core tenets of “SOAR”).
Honoring Jerry Baron’s Legacy: The SOAR Award was renamed in 2026 to honor IR-4 Executive Director Emeritus, Jerry Baron. Jerry perfectly exemplified the spirit of this honor and was instrumental in fostering IR-4’s culture of stakeholder engagement and collaboration.
Eligibility & Nominations
— Who is eligible? The award is open to any partner or collaborator associated with the IR-4 Project who champions our mission. Examples include researchers, federal agency partners, grower group representatives, individual growers, and Extension specialists.
— Who is not eligible? Active PMC members and full-time IR-4 staff.
— Who can nominate? Any IR-4 employee (regional or HQ) or IR-4 researcher may submit nominations, and you are welcome to nominate multiple individuals. Collaborators are encouraged to reach out to IR-4 team members to suggest potential nominees.
See the list of past SOAR recipients below.
SOAR Examples
- Service examples: Participating in ad hoc and standing committees; advisory panels; similar activities that enhance the direction and mission of IR-4
- Outreach examples: Consistent vocal support of IR-4 with growers and/or lawmakers; contributing toward recognition of IR-4 in media; elevating IR-4’s profile in the grower community
- Altruism examples: Donating time, extra research, plant materials, etc
- Research examples: Participation in IR-4 research activities for a minimum of 3 years; consistently producing timely research that contributes to new or enhanced product labels
Submission Guidelines
Submit your SOAR nomination(s) using the nomination form. Be sure to include two (or more) letters of support:
— Content: Letters should provide direct examples of how the nominee personifies the spirit of the award and excels in service, outreach, altruism, and research through their collaboration with The IR-4 Project.
— Authors: Letters may be written by anyone in the IR-4 or specialty crop community who can speak to the nominee’s impact.
— Length: Please limit each letter of support to a maximum of two pages.
Deadline & Selection
All nominations, including the letters of support, must be submitted by Friday, July 31, 2026, at 11:59 pm PST.
Award recipients are selected by the IR-4 Headquarters Management Team and will be announced in the fall. With questions, contact ir-4_project@ncsu.edu.
Recipients
2025 — Dr. Thierry Besançon and Armando Monterosso
2024 — Dr. Rich Bonanno, Julie Coughlin, Kimberly Nesci, Dr. Mark VanGessel
2023 — Dr. Ricardo Bessin, Dan Gilrein, Ronda Hirnyck
2022 — Dr. Stanley Culpepper, Ann George, Dr. Joseph Neal & Dr. Edward Peachey
2017 — Barbara Madden & Laura Phelps
2016 — Brian Flood, David Monks, & Andrew Senesac
2015 — Mary Hausbeck, Robin Bellinder
2014 — Joe DeFrancesco, Meg McGrath
2013 — Mike Benson
2012 — Dan Botts
2011 — John Ahrens, Lori Berger
Technical Service Award
Guidelines
The Technical Service Award is an internal award given to an employee by each of the IR-4 regions or HQ for their outstanding technical service to the program over several years. In order to be eligible, nominees should have proven a sustained level of contribution to IR-4 that is clearly above what is considered normal and expected in the nominee’s position. Any type of technical contribution may be the basis of eligibility for the award.
If you are an IR-4 team member looking to make a nomination for this award, visit the intranet awards page for guidelines.
Meritorious Service Award
Guidelines
The Meritorious Service Award is an internal award given by each of the IR-4 regions and HQ. Each unit selects their own nominees for this award based on the following criteria:
- Length of Service to IR-4
- Special service to IR-4
- Innovation in program development and implementation
- Scientific merit encompassing IR-4 contributions
If you are an IR-4 team member looking to make a nomination for this award, visit the intranet awards page for guidelines.
Hall of Fame Award
Guidelines
The Hall of Fame Award is the highest recognition given by the IR-4 Project. It is awarded to anyone from any aspect of the program (internal or partner) who has made a significant contribution to the development and success of the IR-4 Project over time that have resulted in one or more of the following:
- Increased program effectiveness
- Better management
- Increased productivity
- Establishment of liaisons or partnerships with cooperators that enhanced the program
- Enhanced levels of recognition of IR-4 by stakeholders and/or the public
Nominees are made and approved by the IR-4 Project Management Committee (PMC). Recipients must have an announced retirement date or no longer be actively involved with the IR-4 Project.
Recipients
2025 – Jerry Baron
2024 – Dan Rossi
2023 – Bernard Zandstra
2021 – Dan Kunkel
2017 – Paul Schwartz
2015 – Mary Duryea, Robert Hollingworth, Diane Infante
2014 – Rocky Lundy, Lois Rossi
2013 – Marion Miller
2008 – Chuck Mourer
2006 – Bob Holm
2003 – Ray Frank, Hoyt Jamerson, George Markle, Neal Thompson
2002 – Patricia Sarica, Taka Shibamoto
2000 – Robert Libby
1999 – Richard Guest
1998 – Gene Carpenter
1997 – Willis Wheeler
1994 – Ken Dorschner
1993 – Robert Menges, TJ (Jack) Sheets
1991 – John Bourke, Duane Coyier
1990 – Virgil Freed, Baily Pepper
1989 – Harold Alford, Thomas Archer, John Mahlsted, Howard Wilkowske
1987 – Charles Compton, Edward Swift
National Recognition of Excellence
Guidelines
The National Recognition of Excellence Award is given once every three years in conjunction with the national education conference. This award is given to a field or lab researcher who goes above and beyond to keep operations moving.
The PMC establishes an ad hoc award committee to solicit nominations for the award.
Nominees can be anyone associated with IR-4 except active members of the PMC. A maximum of three nominees will be selected to receive the award.
Nominees must demonstrate outstanding achievements well beyond normal job performance, resulting in a significant positive impact on the IR-4 Project.
Once a person has received this award, they cannot be nominated again.
If you are an IR-4 team member looking to make a nomination for this award, visit the intranet awards page for guidelines.
Recipients
2026 – Susan Bierbrunner, Megan James Hickman, Leona Horst
2023 – Dan Heider, Sherita Normington, Wilfredo Robles Vasquez
2017 – Sharon Benzen, Joe Defrancesco, Kathryn Homa
2012 – Roger Batts, Becky Sisco
2009 – Robin Federline, Nancy Ragsdale, Marylee Ross