Amber Betts
WSDA Communications
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Ann George (L), accepts the WSDA Director's Citation award, presented by WSDA's Brad White (R). |
So it was no surprise to those around her that Ann George,
Executive Director of the Washington State Hop Commission, was presented with
the honor at a regular Washington Hop Commission meeting March 23, 2022.
“Ann has shown
incredible dedication, devotion, and passion for the promotion of hops and agriculture
in general in our state. As she prepares to retire, she leaves quite the
legacy behind,” WSDA Director Derek Sandison said. “It is my absolute honor to
present her with this award.”
Dr. Brad White, WSDA’s plant protection assistant director,
presented the award on behalf of WSDA Director Sandison at a recent meeting of
the Washington Hop Commission.
Ann served as the Executive Director of the Washington Hop
Commission and Hop Growers of Washington since 1987. Her resume and list of
accomplishments do not stop there.
She also served as the executive director of Hop Growers of
America since 2007. As she prepares for retirement, Ann leaves a 35-year legacy,
playing a key role in forming the US Hop Industry Plant Protection Committee,
an international regulatory harmonization program. She also was crucial in
forming the HGA Best Practices Committee and Good Bines educational platform. If
that wasn’t enough to make her mark on agriculture in the state and across the
nation, she also manages Science and Technical programs, political and
regulatory efforts, and has secured numerous grants to expand the hop industry’s
resources.
Today, Washington produces more hops than any other state in
the nation, and hops are among our top 10 crops, with revenues of $445 million
in 2019.
“It’s important to note, this isn’t an annual award,” Megan
Finkenbinder, WSDA fairs and commissions administrator, said. “It’s only given
to those who have truly risen to the level of contribution to the industry and deserve
this prestigious award,”.
Visit our Director's Citation webpage to learn about previous recipients and how to nominate someone for recognition as exceptional supporters of our state's farming, ranching, and food producing community.