WAXAHACHIE — Mark Arnold, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for agriculture and natural resources in Ellis County, has received the agency’s Superior Service Award for County Extension Agents.
The award was presented Jan. 8 during the agency’s Centennial Conference in College Station.
Arnold was cited for his comprehensive educational programs and workshops aimed at assisting Ellis County beef cattle raisers. The industry, which accounts for more than $15 million a year in the county, has suffered recently mostly due to drought.
With a high percentage of the county’s producers indicating that they would adopt practices learned at sessions organized by Arnold, it is estimated that the programs have an economic impact of more than $2.2 million, according to the nomination.
Arnold has also held sessions on Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources/New Landowner Education with 20 educational programs reaching 1,251 individuals in his county.
One of the Ellis County ranchers said, “Mark is always aware of the need for programs to keep our county producers abreast of the new technologies and regulations. He makes sure that producers in Ellis County have the opportunity to receive education on those new technologies.”
Superior Service awards are presented to personnel who demonstrate outstanding performance or provide exceptional service to AgriLife Extension, an educational outreach agency of The Texas A&M University System.
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