AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — The Alabama Cooperative Extension System congratulates agents and specialists who recently received national awards. Fifteen Alabama Extension professionals received recognition from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA).

Mike Phillips, Alabama Extension director, said it is truly exciting and rewarding, as director, to see the level of engagement of Extension faculty in an outstanding organization, as well as the award recognition.

“This level of engagement and extending science-based information on a national scale shows that we are true to our mission and values organizationally,” Phillips said. “We are competitive with our peer-institutions on the national stage and we have a lot of passionate employees who care about their work.”

NACAA Awards

National Awards

• Geni Payne — Achievement Award
• Darrue Sharpe — Achievement Award
• Gavin Mauldin — Achievement Award
• M. Landon Marks  — Distinguished Service Award
• Edward Sikora — Distinguished Service Award
• Bridgette Brannon — Distinguished Service Award
• Kent Stanford — Search for Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture Recognition Program

National Finalists

• Bethany O’Rear — Search for Excellence in Consumer or Commercial Horticulture
• Zachery Brannon — Search for Excellence in Environmental Quality, Forestry and Natural Resources
• Eric Schavey — Website/Online Content

Regional Winners

• Amanda Strayer-Scherer  — Audio Recording
• Jessica N. Curl — Learning Module/Notebook

State Winners

• Guilherme Morata — Agriculture Awareness and Appreciation Award
• Jessica N. Curl — Bound Book/eBook
• M. Landon Marks — Educational Video Recordings
• D. Matthew Webb — Event Promotional Package
• David Russell — Fact Sheet
• Lee Ann Clark — Newsletter
• Anthony Harris — Personal Column
• Kelly Palmer — Publication
• Allie Logan — Search For Excellence in 4-H Programming
• Dennis Brothers — National Finalist (Top 3), Search for Excellence in Farm and Ranch Business Management
• Kelly Palmer — Search for Excellence in Livestock Production

Outstanding in Their Field

Alabama Extension agents and specialists dedicate time and resources to educating the public in Alabama and surrounding states. Becky Barlow, Alabama Extension assistant director for agriculture, forestry, wildlife and natural resources programming, said the agents and specialists she works with are second-to-none.

“Our agents and specialists do amazing work every day, so it is wonderful to see their achievements recognized nationally,” Barlow said. “Their tireless commitment to excellence and teamwork demonstrates the true spirit of ACES. I am incredibly proud of them.”

More Information

Learn more about the awards by visiting the NACAA website at www.nacaa.com/.

Featured Image: Courtesy of NACAA