Maryland fruit grower Robert Black received the Harry Black Distinguished Service Award from the state’s horticultural association for his performance as industry spokesperson after the brown marmorated stinkbug invasion in 2010.

The award, interestingly, is named after Bob’s father, who was an industry leader in his day.

Henry Allenby, in presenting the award during the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention in Hershey, Pennsylvania, noted that the Maryland fruit industry leaders chose Black because he was an open, honest, genuinely friendly person who could speak to the public and to people who needed to know how devastating this new pest was to them.

In accepting, Black was at a loss for words. Black, his wife, Frances, and family members operate a 100-acre, diversified fruit, berry, and vegetable operation and a farm market called Catoctin Mountain Orchard in Thurmont, Maryland.