Phil Schwallier

Philip Schwallier was born and raised on a fruit and beef family farm in Ottawa County, Coopersville, Michigan.  This area is considered the west side of Peach Ridge fruit growing area.  Phil received his B.S. in Horticulture at MSU in 1975 and his M.S. in Entomology in 1978.  In 1978 Phil became the Kent County Horticulture Agent and later that year married Judy May of the east side of Peach Ridge where they took up residence in Sparta, Michigan.  They have 4 children, Jody, Katie, Becky and Tim and 4 grandchildren, Lucas, Louisa, Tyler and Sophie.  In 1982, Phil became the District Horticulture Agent specializing in apple production.  Additionally, Phil also served from 1996 to 2008 as the Station Coordinator for the Clarksville Horticultural Experiment Station.  In 2010 Phil became a member of the IFTA Board of Directors and was elected in 2011 as Vice President and then in 2013 as President of IFTA.