the NYS Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY. "We were not a farm family, but I convinced my parents to stop at farm markets on our fishing trips so I could check out the produce and the livestock."
by Linda McCandless
Geneva, NY - Helene R. Dillard's introduction to the agricultural sciences started with chemistry sets and single eye piece microscopes. "My mother was extremely supportive of my interests," said Dillard, who has just been named chairperson of Cornell University's Department of Plant Pathology at the NYS Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY. "We were not a farm family, but I convinced my parents to stop at farm markets on our fishing trips so I could check out the produce and the livestock."
The Dillards hoped their daughter would be a veterinarian, but Dillard, who maintains an avid interest in fishing, did not like animal blood. She was interested in biology and natural science. As an undergraduate, she majored in the Biology of Natural Resources. She received a master's degree in Soil Science, but spent "one too many summers" digging soil pits along earthquake faults. "It just got boring," said Dillard. "For my Ph.D., I wanted excitement and switched to plant pathology."
The decision was a good one; throughout her career, Dillard garners kudos wherever she goes. "Helene is a very dedicated, hard working, and talented scientist who has earned tremendous respect from all who have worked with her," said Director Jim Hunter.
At the Experiment Station, Dillard has responsibility for research and extension on fungal and bacterial diseases of vegetables. Her program concentrates on the biology, ecology, and management of bacterial and fungal diseases of vegetables and the dissemination of the information to the vegetable industry.
"The research and extension activities are integrated so that the program is flexible and responsive to the needs of the vegetable industry," said Dillard, who has worked closely with New York state growers and processors since 1984. She pays particular attention to the epidemiology and control of diseases that affect beans, tomatoes, cabbage, and sweet corn in New York, particularly gray and white molds on beans and cabbage, Alternaria leafspot on cabbage, and rust on sweet corn.
Dillard's program on vegetable diseases is recognized in the state and nationally, and is highly respected among state vegetable growers and extension field staff because it is directed toward solving real problems. She received a special citation for her work from the New York Association of County Agricultural Agents, and, in 1992, was the recipient of the national extension award of the American Phytopathological Society.
Dillard believes in teamwork and said members of her lab work together well "no matter how frantic the pace gets." In addition to competent seasonal summer students, her program is ably assisted by Jana Lamboy and long-time Research Technician Ann Cobb, who noted that, "Helene has a passion for people, plant pathology, and plants."
Farmers and processors also appreciate their work. Dean Stuart, who owns the 1000-acre Crystal Valley Farm in Corning, NY, said: "Helene is a good communicator and a real worker. She can talk to the growers and get things across to them on their level. I think she is one of the tops in the country." Dan Hurdle, Field Manager at Seneca Foods in Geneva, who has collaborated with Dillard on collecting field data in snap beans and cabbage since 1986, said: "Nobody is more deserving than Helene. If the rest of the department works like she does, we'll all benefit." Hurdle's only concern? "The higher she goes, I'm afraid, the less we'll see of her."
Dillard does not intend to lose touch with her constituency in industry. Extension and outreach are what she likes best. She looks forward to building on the agribusiness base she has already established. "One of my challenges is learning the fruit industry," said Dillard. She plans to attend the Hudson Valley Fruit School in February and other fruit industry meetings as soon as possible "to network with the fruit growers and talk to movers and shakers in the industry."
Dillard looks forward to building an even stronger department and filling faculty openings. She credits former chairman Herb Aldwinckle with having created 
one of the strongest plant pathology departments in the nation during his 15-year tenure. "Our challenge is to stay on top amidst the continuous budget cuts and downsizing," said Dillard. "Under Herb's leadership, the department prospered. Two Liberty Hyde Bailey professors were named from our department during his tenure; our greenhouse facilities are well maintained; we have new growth chambers and incubators for cultures; we have a state-of-the-art tissue culture facility; and Herb has pushed hard for more graduate students and space to expand." Recognizing that the faculty have diverse interests, she said, "I can visualize us spreading our wings even further across the three primary functions of research, extension, and teaching."
Dillard plans on moving into the chair's office soon. After all, she needs the bigger office to hang her hats. Over the years, she has accumulated three wide-brim cowboy hats - including a favorite Australian Akubra - and more than 150 caps which she wears daily in the field in the summer. All of them come with a story - some in commodities like peas, beans, and corn; others in processed foods like sauerkraut and tomato sauce; still others for basketball stars like Michael Jordan and fly fishing outfitters like Orvis.
Dillard graduated with a B.S. from UC-Berkeley in 1977; her M.S. in Soil Science in 1979, and her Ph.D. in Plant Pathology in 1984, from UC-Davis. She was named Assistant Professor at Cornell in 1984, and became an Associate Professor in 1990. She belongs to the American Phytopathological Society, where she is a Councilor at Large and a member of several committees. She is currently a member of the National Extension Leadership Development (NELD) Class V, where she has been nicknamed "Our Lady of the Rotten Produce." She is also a member of the Bean Improvement Cooperative, and the NYS Association of County Agricultural Agents. She is chairperson of the NY State Snap Bean Advisory Committee, and serves as a member of many NYS advisory committees, including commodities like cabbage, peas, sweet corn, table beets, dry beans, and tomatoes. She also travels extensively on scientific exchanges, having cooperated with farmers in Australia, Zimbabwe, Brazil, and the People's Republic of China. She plans to continue her interests on behalf of international agriculture.
(To access 300 dpi scan, click on above photograph.)
Return to News Page