معرفی
Mike Parker is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Horticultural Science at North Carolina State University, specializing in tree fruit crops. His work spans extension (80%), research (10%), and teaching (10%), focusing on applied horticultural strategies such as apple rootstock performance, peach thinning, and orchard floor management in the southeastern U.S. He holds a PhD in Horticulture from Michigan State University (1989) alongside MS and dual BS degrees in Horticulture and Agricultural Engineering Technology from the same institution.
Research interests include optimizing cultural management practices, rootstock adaptation, and sustainable orchard systems. His publications address topics ranging from biochar effects on peach trees to postharvest fruit storage solutions. Parker has received multiple awards, including the John E. Hutchison Extension Award (1996) and NC Apple Growers Honorary Life Membership (2001).
He is affiliated with professional organizations like the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) and the International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA). His extension work emphasizes bridging research to practical applications for growers, exemplified by initiatives like the eApples platform for disseminating research-based information.
