Two members of the Department of Plant Agriculture were honoured with awards from the Bean Improvement Cooperative at the biennial meeting in Portland, Oregon. The inaugural Bean Improvement Cooperative Technical Merit Award was presented to Mr. Tom Smith in recognition of his outstanding and long-standing contributions made to bean research, extension and education by bean program support personnel. Tom first worked in the bean breeding program as a summer student in 1983, and has been the head technician since 1986.  The 2013 Bean Improvement Cooperative Meritorious Service Award, which acknowledges outstanding contributions made to bean research and education, was presented to Professor K. Peter Pauls in recognition of his accomplishments during his over-30 year scientific career, and in particular his leadership in bean genetics, genomics and molecular biology research at the University of Guelph. The members of the AAFC-UG Bean Breeding program were very proud to be present when these awards were conferred upon our accomplished and deserving colleagues.