After Impactful Career, Harper Retires from Fruit Research and Extension Center

Located in Biglerville, Adams County, in the heart of Pennsylvania's fruit belt, the Fruit Research and Extension Center — often referred to as FREC — is an important resource for the state's tree-fruit industry. The facility is under the college's Office for Research and Graduate Education unit and is a part of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station.

With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the fruit industry and other sources, the center creates science-based knowledge and innovative solutions that help keep the industry strong and viable. Methods and recommendations generated from research at the center are disseminated to growers and processors through Penn State Extension programs.

Harper's career as a professor of agricultural economics at Penn State spanned more than 35 years, during which he had extension, research and teaching responsibilities in crop production economics, risk management and farm business management.

"I've always been intrigued by how economic factors influence people's daily lives," he said. "I grew up in the Midwest, so the role of agriculture in our economy has always interested me. That's why I went to graduate school at the University of Arkansas and Texas A&M University and studied agricultural economics."

His expertise in agricultural economics and business management enabled him to implement various changes in operating practices and income generation at FREC to help sustain it.

"Some of my proudest achievements have resulted from my multidisciplinary collaborations with agronomy, entomology, horticulture and plant pathology faculty members," he said. "I believe that I collaborated with faculty members from every department in the college throughout my career."

As FREC director, Harper oversaw all personnel and financial activities while providing and communicating the strategic vision for the center. He said researchers at FREC strive to be at the forefront in managing invasive pests and testing innovative fruit-production systems.

"They are making major efforts to help growers manage diseases and insects, meet labor challenges, and produce high-quality fruit," he said. "With support from the college and the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania, we have made major investments in infrastructure to ensure that FREC can continue to conduct the research projects and extension programs needed by Pennsylvania's fruit growers. We have a great group of people at FREC, and I look forward to following their accomplishments in serving our dynamic fruit industry."

Blair Siegfried, the college's associate dean for research and graduate education and director of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station, says the center — and Harper's contributions — have been vital to Penn State's partnership with the state's fruit industry.

"Jay has been incredibly successful in leading FREC and facilitating interactions with growers and industry," Siegfried said. "We are grateful to him for helping to sustain and grow these important partnerships."