Margaret Tuttle McGrath receives Long Island Farm Bureau Citizen of the Year Award

The Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Margaret Tuttle McGrath, Associate Professor Emeritus, on 4 April 2025 during the Long Island Farm Bureau’s 103rd annual awards gala.  This award is given to a person recognized as a positive force in the industry with a proven record of leadership, and outstanding service to farmers and the community.  Meg received this award in recognition of her decades of contribution to the field of vegetable and herb pathology research and education.

Long Island Farm Bureau President Juan Micieli Martinez said about Meg and Karl Novak, who received the Amherst Davis Memorial Farmer Citizen of the Year Award, “The farming community is fortunate to have so many people who provide such tremendous service and support to our industry. We are honored to add these individuals to the already lengthy list of past recipients and carry on the legacy of celebrating their accomplishments to agriculture and our communities.”

Receiving this award was an important honor for Meg because, as she explained in her acceptance comments, she considered it an affirmation that she successfully achieved her career goal of helping growers, especially those on Long Island, to manage diseases through her applied research and extension activities.

In addition to their award plaques, Meg and Karl received a Certificate of Appreciation from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County plus numerous proclamations, citations and a certificate from New York legislators as well as a letter of recognition from Governor Kathy Hochul.

rob and meg at podium
Rob Carpenter, Director of Long Island Farm Bureau, presenting Citizen of the Year Award to Meg.
Meg with Karl Novak and Ed Romaine
Meg with Karl Novak and Ed Romaine
Meg with Karl Novak and Tony Palumbo
Meg with Karl Novak and Tony Palumbo