FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Faculty and staff who exemplified the best work within the land grant mission of extension, research and teaching in Arkansas were honored Friday during the annual Agriculture Awards presented jointly by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.
This year, the event was hosted at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center in Ferndale. Among the honors bestowed are the John W. White awards, which are named for the U of A System’s first vice president for agriculture when the Division of Agriculture was made a statewide unit of the U of A System in 1959.
“This is our opportunity to recognize the best of our work in the land grant triad of outreach, research and teaching while also recognizing the people who provide support for our faculty and staff,” said Chuck Culver, interim vice president and head of the Division of Agriculture. “This is also an opportunity to show both employees and the public the many facets of our work.”
Bob Scott, director of the Cooperative Extension Service, said “the division awards are a great opportunity for both sides of our house, extension and research, plus the Bumpers College, to come together to recognize and honor our colleagues’ achievements.”
“Being recognized at the Division of Agriculture Awards ceremony is a great honor,” said Deacue Fields, dean of the Bumpers College.
The 2022 John W. White Outstanding County Extension Educator Award was presented to John Gavin, Bradley County Extension Staff Chair. Gavin has served the Cooperative Extension Service for a total of 38 years. He began his career in Nevada County as an Agricultural – 4-H Agent. Then he served as the Agriculture-Forestry Agent in Union County before being transferred to Bradley County as the Agriculture-Community Development Agent and later as Staff Chair of the Bradley County Cooperative Extension Service.
Gavin is considered as the area resource specialist to assist county agents and producers in the commercial vegetable and tomato production. Gavin was inducted into the Bradley County Tomato Hall of Fame in 2014.
Throughout his career, he has worked with 4-H youth in the areas of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Stem, Natural Resource Conservation, and Healthy Lifestyles. He assisted several 4-H Forestry and Livestock Judging Teams and two National 4-H Forestry Invitational Championships.
He has been active with his community involvement, serving on many local boards and committees, and has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Bradley County Industrial Development Corporation.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
