McCallum Receives Michigan Hort Society’s Distinguished Service Award
In December, Matt McCallum, CEO of GPN’s parent company Great American Media Services, received the Michigan State Horticultural Society’s Distinguished Service Award.
The award was presented to McCallum on Dec. 9, at the awards banquet during the Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo in Grand Rapids.
The Michigan Vegetable Council also presented McCallum with its Master Farmer Associate Award at the banquet.
“It was a great honor to receive these awards from the industries I grew up in,” McCallum said. “Our mission with our publications is to engage, educate and inspire growers every day. This industry makes it easy to love my job!”
McCallum grew up on a family farm in St. Clare County, Michigan. McCallums Orchard grew fruits, vegetables and operated a farm market. At age 12, he began working at the market and learning the value of hard work. He purchased Great American Media Services in 1993. The company currently employees 42 professionals in seven state and produces 14 national trade magazines. While McCallum first specialized in print, he has since expanded to include digital media, social networking and events.
“Im extremely grateful to the MSU Research and Extension folks who help support us through writing columns, serving as expert sources for stories and providing excellent field days and educational programs where we get so many of our story ideas,” McCallum said. “In addition, the many growers who have been gracious enough to welcome us on their farms for interviews and photographs are vital contributors to our success.” McCallum said.
Matt and his wife Julie have been married for 25 years and are parents to four children, three girls and a boy. They currently live in Sparta, Michigan on 64 acres. The family grows pumpkins, gourds and fresh-cut flowers. In his free time, McCallum coaches the Sparta High School varsity girls basketball team.
Along with GPN, Great American Media Services publishes Lawn & Garden Retailer, Fruit Growers News, Vegetable Growers News, Produce Processing and Spudman.
Click here to view the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO’s video on McCallum’s award.
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