College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Alumni & Friends

Dawn Drake, of Mattawan, Michigan, will receive a Michigan State University (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) Honorary Alumni Award at the March 7 ANR Awards Program.

The CANR Honorary Alumni Award is given to someone who has made a distinctive contribution to the CANR on a state, national or international level; has relieved the suffering of disadvantaged people; or contributed to any unique program that benefits humankind.

Drake has dedicated over 40 years to supporting Michigan’s agricultural industry, particularly focusing on the state’s apple growers. She began her career in 1980 with the Michigan Farm Bureau affiliates, Farm Bureau Services, Inc. and Farmers Petroleum Cooperative, Inc. She served as an Administrative Assistant in the Member & Public Relations Department, promoting agricultural products across Michigan. Following the company’s bankruptcy in 1982, Drake was involved in navigating the complex challenges of the reorganization, which led to the formation of Agra Land, Inc. in 1984.

In November 1984, Drake transitioned to the Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Association (MACMA), where she worked in various capacities. By 2003, she was appointed Manager of the Processing Apple Division, and in 2019, she was promoted to General Manager, overseeing both the Processing Apple and Processing Asparagus Divisions. Throughout her career, Drake has worked tirelessly to advocate for Michigan apple producers, securing crucial legislation, federal funding and market opportunities.

Drake’s leadership has been instrumental in securing resources for Michigan apple growers. She worked closely with the Michigan Congressional Delegation to address issues like Fireblight research funding, apple market loss assistance programs, and weather-related disaster relief. Her efforts helped implement the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) in the 2002 Farm Bill. She also collaborated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to launch initiatives like the fresh cut apple slices pilot program in 2008. Notably, Drake’s work resulted in a $20 million bonus buy of processed apple products for the 2022 crop, followed by $50 million for the 2023 crop and $40 million for the 2024 crop, collectively adding $110 million to the U.S. apple processing industry.

A key aspect of Drake’s service to MSU and CANR has been her involvement in funding and promoting agricultural research. As part of the Michigan Tree Fruit Commission (MTFC), Drake helped source funding from growers to support research initiatives in collaboration with MSU Extension and MSU AgBioResearch. She has played a key role in the formation and ongoing management of the MTFC, serving as secretary and coordinating critical infrastructure and research needs for the apple industry. Her efforts have secured USDA funding for fireblight research at MSU, particularly the work of Dr. George Sundin in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences (PSM).

Drake has also worked closely with MSU on various other research projects. Under her leadership, the MACMA Processing Apple Growers secured funding for initiatives like Project GREEEN and contributed to research on issues such as controlling the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and addressing apple bitter pit. She also helped update MSU’s apple cost of production survey, ensuring that research aligns with the needs of Michigan’s apple growers.

Beyond her work with MSU, Drake has been a passionate advocate for the agricultural community at large. She serves as a Director on the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives Board and is a member of the Government Affairs Committee and the National Council of Agricultural Employers. These roles have allowed her to influence policies that benefit Michigan farmers, particularly apple growers. She has also worked with various commodity groups to organize events like the annual Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tour in Michigan, which brings federal officials to the state to see firsthand the challenges farmers face due to environmental regulations.

Drake is also a strong supporter of the Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Expo, an essential event for Michigan’s specialty crop growers. The Expo, hosted jointly by the Michigan State Horticultural Society and the Michigan Vegetable Council, brings together growers and MSU experts to exchange knowledge on the latest research, production and marketing strategies.

You can learn more about past CANR Honorary Alumni Award winners here.