By AAEA Podcast Host Katie Navarra
Dr. Kevin Folta was one of two recipients to receive the 2021 AAEA Distinguished Service Award. Folta is a professor and chairman of the Horticultural Department at the University of Florida.
Dr. Kevin Folta (middle) smiles alongside Legacy Chairman Larry Dreiling (left)
and then-President Gil Gullickson as he holds the 2021 AAEA Distinguished Service Award.
The award was presented to Folta at the 2021 Ag Media Summit.
(Photo Courtesy: Chuck Zimmerman)
Dr. Folta has a litany of scientific accomplishments, including understanding which genes control flavor in strawberries, and how light can slow down mold in blueberries.
Folta is also well-known for his flair of communicating his knowledge of biotechnology and agricultural science to the public. However, sharing those messages hasn’t always been easy. Listen as he explains the challenges of being a science communicator.
Katie Navarra is an award-winning writer based in Upstate New York. She grew up on a family-run vegetable farm that included retail greenhouses. She taps into her agricultural roots and wordsmithing skills to support the agriculture industry.
She also provides custom leadership development coaching experiences with people using horses, and in traditional settings. She is an accredited coach through the International Coaching Federation and a certified E3A Equine Facilitator. Within her coaching practice, she asks questions that lead people to define what they really want out of life. She can be found online at katienavarra.com.