2026 Recipient

Rachel Drobnak, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and College of Natural Science

Rachel Drobnak’s first day working at a sweet cherry orchard in Leelanau County proved pivotal. That evening, she spread native prairie seed along a strip of land to help first-generation farmers convert that portion of their orchard into a prairie patch. The farmers had received free native seed and resources from MSU Extension and other agricultural outreach contacts. The experience inspired Drobnak to build a career in outreach and communication focusing on agricultural conservation. Her efforts have included developing an Extension bulletin to calculate the cost of prairie strip conversion, conducting an on-farm research project with Michigan farmers, presenting research at agricultural events, and communicating agricultural science to the broader public.