Bernadine Strik

Bernadine’s extension, research, and teaching programs focused on physiology and production systems of berry crops. She also served as the OSU lead on the USDA/ARS-OSU Cooperative Berry Crops Breeding Program, co-releasing 38 cultivars for the industry. Bernadine enjoyed teaching three undergraduate and two graduate courses and advised 21 graduate students. In her career, she published 150 refereed scientific journal articles, 39 papers in Acta Horticulturae, the proceedings of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), and 24 book chapters. Bernadine co-authored 71 OSU Extension Service publications and shared her knowledge with berry industries in Oregon, nationally, and internationally through trade journal articles, presentations, workshops, field days, online courses, and webinars. Her research outcomes in modified planting densities, pruning techniques and severity, mulch types, optimization of fertilization programs, methods to improve fruit quality, and best organic production systems were estimated to increase value of the berry industries more than $10 million per year in Oregon alone; many of these systems were adopted nationally and internationally.

Bernadine’s service to the university and professional organizations was broad including mentoring junior faculty and being on promotion and tenure committees in the department and the college, co-convening national and international conferences, and serving as chair of the Section Vine & Berry Fruits in ISHS, and she continues as an Executive Council member for the ISHS.

Awards and honors

• B.Y. Morrison Memorial Lecturer, USDA/ARS, presented at the American Society for Horticultural Science Conference, 2022
• Chad Finn Distinguished Contributor Award recognizing 34 years of world class small fruits research and extension, the Oregon Strawberry Commission, 2022
•  Lifetime Achievement Award – Recognizing the Oregon Blueberry Industry’s Friend, Oregon Blueberry Commission, 2022
• Fellow of the International Society for Horticultural Science, 2021
• Duke Galletta Award for excellence in horticultural research, North American Blueberry Council, 2021
• Bob Conroy Award for Service to the Oregon Berry Industry, presented by the Oregon Raspberry and Blackberry Commission, 2021
• Outstanding Fruit Publication Award for a paper in American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) journals in 2019
• Distinguished service award, North American Raspberry and Blackberry Growers’ Assoc., 2018
• ASHS Outstanding Graduate Educator Award, 2015
• OSU Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award, 2014
• OSU James and Mildred Oldfield/E.R. Jackman Team Award, (Team Drosophila), College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS), 2013
• Agricultural Research Foundation Distinguished Professor, 2012
• Outstanding Extension Publication Award for paper published in ASHS journals in 2012
• OSU Extended Education Faculty Achievement Award, 2008
• Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science, 2007
• OSU Excellence in Extension Education, College of Ag. Sciences, Oregon State University, 2005
• Outstanding Leader in the Blueberry Industry award presented by the Oregon Blueberry Growers’ Association, 2003
• OSU Alberta B. Johnston Award for Excellence in Extension Education, 2002
• OSU Briskey Award for Faculty Excellence, CAS, 1996
• OSU Extension Association Newer Faculty Recognition Award, 1991