Three Scientists Named to ARS Science Hall of Fame

US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service awarded the Science Hall of Fame to three science achievers in recognition of their outstanding, lifelong achievements in agricultural sciences and technology from among the agency researchers. The winners Rufus L. Chaney, Sarah Hake and David W. Rammings were honored for their contribution to the safety and quality of food supply, shed light on the genetics of plant growth with far reaching implications, and ensure the continued success of a grape and stone fruit industry vital of the world's economy, according to Caird Rexroad, acting administrator or ARS.

Rufus Chaney of Beltsville, Md., is an international expert on assessing the health and environmental risks posed by trace metals in contaminated soils, manures, biosolids, composts and other soil amendments. Sarah Hake, director of the Plant Gene Expression Center in Albany, Calif., was the first scientist to clone a developmental gene using a transposable or "jumping" gene, and the first to identify a class of genes in plants that activate a cascade of other genes. David Ramming, from San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center at Parlier, Calif., is responsible for developing 40 varieties of table grapes, raisin grapes, peaches, apricots and other stone fruits, and developed technologies that address a number of grower concerns.

Details of the award and the winners' accomplishments can be viewed at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2013/130911.htm.