NPDN Congratulations: Dr. Ann Hazelrigg Inducted into the Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame

The Communicator: Volume 7, Issue 6, July 2026

The National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) community congratulates Dr. Ann Hazelrigg, Director of the University of Vermont Plant Diagnostic Clinic and Extension Plant Pathologist, on her induction into the 2026 Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Dr. Hazelrigg has dedicated her career to protecting plant health and supporting Vermont agriculture through applied research, diagnostics, integrated pest management (IPM), and Extension outreach. For decades, she has provided science-based recommendations to growers, homeowners, arborists, landscapers, foresters, and agricultural professionals throughout the state, helping them identify and manage plant diseases and other plant health challenges.

Under her leadership, the University of Vermont Plant Diagnostic Clinic has become a vital resource for plant health monitoring, disease diagnosis, and stakeholder education. Her commitment to early detection, accurate diagnosis, and practical management recommendations has strengthened Vermont’s agricultural and natural resource communities while contributing to broader regional and national plant health efforts.

Dr. Hazelrigg also has been a longstanding contributor to the National Plant Diagnostic Network, supporting diagnostic capacity, plant health education, and collaborative responses to emerging plant health concerns. Most recently, she helped guide the University of Vermont Plant Diagnostic Clinic through the NPDN accreditation process, culminating in the clinic achieving accredited status in 2026. This accomplishment reflects years of commitment to quality management systems, diagnostic excellence, and continuous improvement, and places the UVM clinic among a select group of accredited NPDN laboratories nationwide.

Throughout her career, Dr. Hazelrigg has exemplified the mission of Extension by translating scientific knowledge into practical solutions that protect plant health, support agricultural productivity, and strengthen communities. Her work has benefited countless growers, land managers, and homeowners while helping safeguard Vermont's agricultural and environmental resources.

This recognition reflects a distinguished career devoted to plant health, public service, diagnostics, and agricultural education. We congratulate Dr. Hazelrigg on this well-deserved honor and thank her for her many contributions to plant diagnostics, plant biosecurity, and the National Plant Diagnostic Network.