By Andi Anderson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in collaboration with Cooperative Extension and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), has announced the recipients of the 2024 national awards for Excellence in Extension and Diversity.
These awards celebrate individuals and teams demonstrating visionary leadership in agriculture and diversity in Extension education.
The Excellence in Extension Award for an Individual was presented to Daryl Jones from Mississippi State University. Jones, an Extension Professor of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, has engaged nearly 12,000 landowners through workshops focused on diversifying farm income and enhancing conservation.
His efforts have led to the creation of over 2,500 wildlife enterprises across 3 million acres, generating significant economic impact.
The Excellence in Extension Team Award went to the University of Tennessee Turfgrass Team, recognized for their role in supporting Tennessee’s $5.8 billion turfgrass industry.
Their contributions include the UT Certified Lawn Care Professional program and the popular TN Turf Tuesday educational series, addressing the needs of golf courses, sports fields, and home lawns.
The National Extension Diversity Award was awarded to the Michigan State University Extension Housing Policy Team. This team developed programs that incorporate diversity, equity, and local housing policy challenges into community learning.
Their approach includes discussions, scenario-based activities, and local case studies to address systemic issues and promote equitable housing solutions.
Additionally, regional awards for excellence were presented to individual Extension professionals for their contributions across different regions:
- 1890s Region: Jason de Koff, Tennessee State University, for innovative agronomy and soil science outreach.
- Northeast Region: Claudia Schmidt, Penn State, for sustainable agritourism and local food system development.
- Southern Region: David Lalman, Oklahoma State University, for impactful beef cattle programming.
- North Central Region: Brian Wibby, Michigan State University, for leadership in youth development and mental health education.
- Western Region: Michael Wierda, Utah State University, for promoting pesticide safety and environmental health.
Vonda Richardson, Chair of the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy, congratulated the awardees, noting their dedication to bridging community needs with university resources to tackle critical issues nationwide.
The awards will be presented at the APLU Annual Meeting on November 10, celebrating these leaders’ outstanding commitment to advancing Extension’s mission.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Michigan, Government & Policy