The American Meat Science Association (AMSA) announces that Dr. Paul Berg has been named the 2018 AMSA R.C. Pollock Award winner. The R.C. Pollock Award is presented annually in honor of the first general manager of the National Live Stock and Meat Board. This award is sponsored by the AMSA Educational Foundation R.C. Pollock, Robert Bray, and Vern Cahill Mentor Recognition Funds. Dr. Berg will be honored at an awards banquet during the AMSA 71st Reciprocal Meat Conference on Tuesday, June 26 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Dr. Paul Berg represents an extraordinary and lasting contribution to the meat industry through his teaching, extension, research, and service. In his home state of North Dakota, he has influenced generations of student agriculturalists as a faculty member at North Dakota State University (NDSU). Dr. Berg received his B.S. from NDSU in 1960. Following his graduation, he joined the Animal Science department and finished his M.S. and Ph.D. by 1975. Dr. Berg continues to serve NDSU as a faculty emeritus. He has taught a plethora of courses in animal and meat science and has advised or co-advised numerous graduate students. Dr. Berg served the youth of North Dakota and Minnesota as the official judge of the 4-H and FFA livestock and meat judging contest for 46 years.
Dr. Berg also founded the original BBQ short course, NDSU’s BBQ Bootcamp. As a result, he has spread an interest in meat science extension and education to thousands more, including governors, media, administrators, and everyday consumers. Dr. Berg is also recognized for co-founding the graduate student organization at NDSU known as Carnivore Catering. The organization is well known for its top-secret seasoning used on beef and pork dishes. The funds generated from this organization allow its members to attend meetings and events and can help cover educational expenses related to graduation.
Dr. Berg has been a member of AMSA for decades, serving as a committee member 64 times at AMSA sanctioned judging contests in addition to serving as an official committee member for the National Meat Animal Evaluation contest 34 times. Dr. Berg’s impact on thousands of students that attended NDSU and thousands more that participated in intercollegiate meat judging and meat animal evaluation has been profound. Dr. Berg was awarded the AMSA Intercollegiate Meat Judging Meritorious Service award in 2007, additionally he was honored by the Signal Service award and named a Fellow of AMSA in 2009.
