b'years foundation seed production fields. He says hisvast knowledge base and experience through a variety of favorite part of the job is talking to colleagues, customerschannels, most notably by serving as a guest lecturer both at a and industry representatives. community college as well as at the Department of Agronomy Wipplers other roles at MCIA include: editor of the& Plant Genetics at the University of Minnesota, and through Seed Grower publication and other marketing materi- informal engagement with countless visitors each year at the als, working with the University on promoting U of MNMN State Fair. In addition, Roger also serves as the auditor of varieties, U of MN variety licensing, andin a nod to howseveral MCIA publications.Fawad Shah, CEO and President, much he truly loves the process of growing and nurturingMinnesota Crop Improvement Association.plants - tending the garden behind the MCIA building.Rogers experience with, and dedication to, foundation seed Wippler and his wife Cindy have been married forproduction makes him a reliable resource for certifying agencies almost 37 years and worked together at MCIA for 30 ofand seedsmen alike. Rogers amiable personality and his fluid-those years.ity with conversation belie a very sharp intellect. We have seen multiple occurrences in AOSCA meetings of Roger posing a question or a what-if scenario that was highly relevant to the dis-As Ken Bertsch said upon presenting the Honorary Lifetimecussion but was not obvious until he stated ithes always been Membership Award on behalf of AOSCA, Wipplers contribu- there, and hes always been willing and able to provide assistance tions to AOSCA and MCIA have been hugely impactful and haveor guidance when requested. Weve enjoyed having Roger as a positively affected so many.good neighbor and a good friend.Jim Rouse, director of the Several of Wipplers colleagues wrote letters of support forIowa Crop Improvement Association and AOSCA board member his nomination. Among those words were these messages: (Northern region).SWRoger takes advantage of every opportunity to share his 22/ SEEDWORLD.COMJANUARY 2024'