2019 Distinguished Service Awards (DSA)
2018 Distinguished Service Awards (DSA)
John Goddard
John has 36 years of Extension experience in Loudon, Bradley, and Hawkins counties. He conducts dairy, beef, row crops, and forage research and education. John oversees an Advanced Master Beef Producer Course with over 100 participants. John has coached seven National Champion 4-H judging teams in four different areas. Notable winning teams include State Livestock Judging Teams in 2014 & 2016 and the National Winning 2017 Livestock Skillathon Team. He is a member of the University ofTennessee Exempt Staff Council (2016 Chairman), President’s Advisory Board, Faculty & Ag Leadership Team, and Received the 2017 Extension Outstanding Award.
John has 36 years of Extension experience in Loudon, Bradley, and Hawkins counties. He conducts dairy, beef, row crops, and forage research and education. John oversees an Advanced Master Beef Producer Course with over 100 participants. John has coached seven National Champion 4-H judging teams in four different areas. Notable winning teams include State Livestock Judging Teams in 2014 & 2016 and the National Winning 2017 Livestock Skillathon Team. He is a member of the University ofTennessee Exempt Staff Council (2016 Chairman), President’s Advisory Board, Faculty & Ag Leadership Team, and Received the 2017 Extension Outstanding Award.
Steven Michael Huff
Steven has had the honor of education nearly 50,000 people without the two counties he has served. Programs he has been involved in are East Tennessee Grain Conference, Advanced Master Beef, Profit and Production, Beekeeping, Grafting, Fruit Tree Pruning, Gardening, Beef Expos, and much more. These programs have had an economic impaction on program participants and communities of over $9.6 million.
Steven has had the honor of education nearly 50,000 people without the two counties he has served. Programs he has been involved in are East Tennessee Grain Conference, Advanced Master Beef, Profit and Production, Beekeeping, Grafting, Fruit Tree Pruning, Gardening, Beef Expos, and much more. These programs have had an economic impaction on program participants and communities of over $9.6 million.
Megan Bruch Leffew
Megan has worked as a value-added Agriculture and Marketing Specialist focusing on agritourisn and direct marketing since June 2003. She has received awards for Outstanding Specialist, Innovative Programs, and Outstanding Publications. Megan has served as TAAA&S Communications Award Chair, Specialist Region Director and Publicity Chair for the 2018 NACAA AM/PIC. She has served as Chair and Southern Region Vice-Chair for the NACAA Professional Improvement Council for Agriculture Economics and Community Development Committee.
Megan has worked as a value-added Agriculture and Marketing Specialist focusing on agritourisn and direct marketing since June 2003. She has received awards for Outstanding Specialist, Innovative Programs, and Outstanding Publications. Megan has served as TAAA&S Communications Award Chair, Specialist Region Director and Publicity Chair for the 2018 NACAA AM/PIC. She has served as Chair and Southern Region Vice-Chair for the NACAA Professional Improvement Council for Agriculture Economics and Community Development Committee.
2017 Distinguished Service Awards (DSA)
David Bilderback
David has been a Farm Management Extension Area Specialist with the University of Tennessee for ten years. Over his career, he has over 43,000 direct contacts. David has work intensely with 478 farm families on financial decisions throughout East Tennessee, completing 169 whole farm plans. He has presented at 205 meetings to over 9,000 participants at the regional, state, and national levels. David’s top priority is to provide Tennessee producers with real life solutions.
David has been a Farm Management Extension Area Specialist with the University of Tennessee for ten years. Over his career, he has over 43,000 direct contacts. David has work intensely with 478 farm families on financial decisions throughout East Tennessee, completing 169 whole farm plans. He has presented at 205 meetings to over 9,000 participants at the regional, state, and national levels. David’s top priority is to provide Tennessee producers with real life solutions.
Laurie Mobley
Laurie has worked with adult/youth for UT Extension for 13 years. She has educated producers about nutrition, recordkeeping, heath , and carcasses of beef cattle and small ruminant animals. She has taught classes throughout the region with the Advanced Master Beef and Advanced Master Goat Producer programs, served on state leadership teams, State Camping committees, and has had numerous regional / state / national competing judging teams. Laurie's top accomplishment however is a market steer show that generates $60k/yr for local youth.
Laurie has worked with adult/youth for UT Extension for 13 years. She has educated producers about nutrition, recordkeeping, heath , and carcasses of beef cattle and small ruminant animals. She has taught classes throughout the region with the Advanced Master Beef and Advanced Master Goat Producer programs, served on state leadership teams, State Camping committees, and has had numerous regional / state / national competing judging teams. Laurie's top accomplishment however is a market steer show that generates $60k/yr for local youth.
Ty Petty
Ty is the Agriculture and 4-H Extension Agent and County Extension Director for The University of Tennessee Extension in Unicoi County. Petty has trained over 300 Master Beef Producers and coordinates a regional Nursery Tour which visits southeastern states for 3 days with an annual economic impact of over $200,000. He also conducts a thriving 4-H program with over 600 members and leads a 4-H GPS Team that has won four state championships.
Ty is the Agriculture and 4-H Extension Agent and County Extension Director for The University of Tennessee Extension in Unicoi County. Petty has trained over 300 Master Beef Producers and coordinates a regional Nursery Tour which visits southeastern states for 3 days with an annual economic impact of over $200,000. He also conducts a thriving 4-H program with over 600 members and leads a 4-H GPS Team that has won four state championships.
2016 Distinguished Service Awards (DSA)
Michael Barry
Michael has served as an Extension Agent in four different Tennessee counties over a 22 year career. His program areas have included 4-H youth development and Agriculture. His areas of emphasis in agricultural programs include beef cattle production and forage production. In DeKalb County, Michael was instrumental in assisting with the creation of the DeKalb Cattlemen's Association, whose purpose is to educate the public and help improve beef cattle production and profits.
Michael has served as an Extension Agent in four different Tennessee counties over a 22 year career. His program areas have included 4-H youth development and Agriculture. His areas of emphasis in agricultural programs include beef cattle production and forage production. In DeKalb County, Michael was instrumental in assisting with the creation of the DeKalb Cattlemen's Association, whose purpose is to educate the public and help improve beef cattle production and profits.
Jerry Lamb
Jerry has been employed with the University of Tennessee since 1992. Jerry has coached over 750 youth on various judging teams which have completed at every level. He facilitates the Master Gardener Program and has conducted educational programs in commercial vegetable production, forestry production, horse management, cattle production , and s\mall ruminant production. He has been the driving force in development of the Rhea County Ag Center and fairgrounds.
Jerry has been employed with the University of Tennessee since 1992. Jerry has coached over 750 youth on various judging teams which have completed at every level. He facilitates the Master Gardener Program and has conducted educational programs in commercial vegetable production, forestry production, horse management, cattle production , and s\mall ruminant production. He has been the driving force in development of the Rhea County Ag Center and fairgrounds.
Jeremy West
Jeremy West has worked with the Universiy of Tennessee in Scott County since 2002. During Jeremy's time in Scott County, he has actively developed and offerrd new programming in the areas of Livestock, Forage, Fruit/Vegetable Production and Community Economic Development. One highlighted program is Grow Scott. In teh Grow Scott Program, Jeremy has worked with community leaders in offering programming focusing on fruit/vegetable production and economic enrichment uses.
Jeremy West has worked with the Universiy of Tennessee in Scott County since 2002. During Jeremy's time in Scott County, he has actively developed and offerrd new programming in the areas of Livestock, Forage, Fruit/Vegetable Production and Community Economic Development. One highlighted program is Grow Scott. In teh Grow Scott Program, Jeremy has worked with community leaders in offering programming focusing on fruit/vegetable production and economic enrichment uses.
2015 Distinguished Service Awards (DSA)
Jeff Lannom
Jeff’s primary focus is Row Crop Production in variety testing of grain crops, evaluating 4,421 varie-ty strips with 40 different producers. Variety testing has had a positive economic impact on county producers totaling over $29,000,000 since 2006. He has conducted tests of 50 yield enhancing products at 81 farm locations totaling 986 comparison strips. In addition, he has compiled 60 years of local weather data indicating climate trends in temperature and precipitation. Jeff also started a county agriculture endowment funded by local producers with $50,000 gifted in one year.
Jeff’s primary focus is Row Crop Production in variety testing of grain crops, evaluating 4,421 varie-ty strips with 40 different producers. Variety testing has had a positive economic impact on county producers totaling over $29,000,000 since 2006. He has conducted tests of 50 yield enhancing products at 81 farm locations totaling 986 comparison strips. In addition, he has compiled 60 years of local weather data indicating climate trends in temperature and precipitation. Jeff also started a county agriculture endowment funded by local producers with $50,000 gifted in one year.
Mitchell Mote
Mitchell has worked extensively in the area of consumer horticulture and residential lawn care. He has developed a 3,500 sq. ft. turfgrass site with 29 plots of warm and cool season turf varieties and numerous prac-tice demonstrations. Recertification trainings held bi-annually for 70+ lawn/landscape pesticide applicators increased county funds by $24,800 over five years. Commercial applicators valued plant/insect pest diagnosis assistance at $98,600 in 2014. Nearly 200 homeowners have completed his eight hour Grass Masters Lawncare Academy.
Mitchell has worked extensively in the area of consumer horticulture and residential lawn care. He has developed a 3,500 sq. ft. turfgrass site with 29 plots of warm and cool season turf varieties and numerous prac-tice demonstrations. Recertification trainings held bi-annually for 70+ lawn/landscape pesticide applicators increased county funds by $24,800 over five years. Commercial applicators valued plant/insect pest diagnosis assistance at $98,600 in 2014. Nearly 200 homeowners have completed his eight hour Grass Masters Lawncare Academy.
Rebekah Norman
Rebekah conducts livestock and forage programming in Rutherford County. Her passion is to discover producer needs and develop programming that meets those needs in a practical, application-oriented way. Her programs are known for the impact created and are shared with other agents not just in Tennessee, but other states. Some programs are: Matchmaking 101 (Selecting the Right Bull for your Cowherd), Hay Chef (How to Unlock Forage Test Results and More), and Locally-Raised Beef.
Rebekah conducts livestock and forage programming in Rutherford County. Her passion is to discover producer needs and develop programming that meets those needs in a practical, application-oriented way. Her programs are known for the impact created and are shared with other agents not just in Tennessee, but other states. Some programs are: Matchmaking 101 (Selecting the Right Bull for your Cowherd), Hay Chef (How to Unlock Forage Test Results and More), and Locally-Raised Beef.
2014 Distinguished Service Awards (DSA)
Alan Bruhin
Alan has served as Sevier County Extension County Director for the past 22 years and was 4-H agent for 13 years. He is currently working with adult agriculture, community resource development and consumer horticulture. Alan is very actively involved with livestock producers association working with marketing and forage production. He started a new Master Gardener Group in Sevier County nine years ago. Alan has trained over 200 Master Gardeners to date, with over 100 current active volunteers each averaging over 100 volunteer hours yearly.
Alan has served as Sevier County Extension County Director for the past 22 years and was 4-H agent for 13 years. He is currently working with adult agriculture, community resource development and consumer horticulture. Alan is very actively involved with livestock producers association working with marketing and forage production. He started a new Master Gardener Group in Sevier County nine years ago. Alan has trained over 200 Master Gardeners to date, with over 100 current active volunteers each averaging over 100 volunteer hours yearly.
Melody Rose
Melody maintains an effective Extension program in Greene County, Tennessee. She is recognized for her educational programming, leadership, and dedication in both agronomy and horticulture. She is most proud of her accomplishments in burley tobacco profitability/production and the Master Gardener Association. The impacts of these programs generate a significant economic impact to Greene County each year. In addition to her county responsibilities, she provides leadership and service in both the regional and state associations.
Melody maintains an effective Extension program in Greene County, Tennessee. She is recognized for her educational programming, leadership, and dedication in both agronomy and horticulture. She is most proud of her accomplishments in burley tobacco profitability/production and the Master Gardener Association. The impacts of these programs generate a significant economic impact to Greene County each year. In addition to her county responsibilities, she provides leadership and service in both the regional and state associations.
John K. Teague
Teague has given extensive leadership to Extension programs in the largest agricultural income producing county in Tennessee as well other areas of the state. Focusing on livestock and forage management, his expertise in reproduction, genetics, selection and marketing has resulted in beef cattle breeders, horse owners, and small ruminant producers making substantial improvements in operations strategies and farm income. His early environmental efforts with waste management helped poultry growers with compliance issues. He was instrumental in the development of the Bedford County Ag Center complex.
Teague has given extensive leadership to Extension programs in the largest agricultural income producing county in Tennessee as well other areas of the state. Focusing on livestock and forage management, his expertise in reproduction, genetics, selection and marketing has resulted in beef cattle breeders, horse owners, and small ruminant producers making substantial improvements in operations strategies and farm income. His early environmental efforts with waste management helped poultry growers with compliance issues. He was instrumental in the development of the Bedford County Ag Center complex.