Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu

Contact: Scott Durham, 325-653-4576, ms-durham@tamu.edu

MERTZON – Kenneth “Shane” Wigington has been named the new Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for agriculture and natural resources for Irion County, according to an announcement made by County Judge Tom Aiken and Scott Durham, AgriLife Extension administrator at San Angelo.

He begins his duties on June 1.

“We are happy Shane will be joining us here in the 23-county West Central District,” Durham said. “He exhibits a strong work ethic and the drive to continue to build on the traditionally strong AgriLife Extension presence that Irion County has long sustained.”

Wigington earned a bachelor’s degree from Tarleton State University at Stephenville in 2012.

While growing up in Jacksboro, he was involved in a host of FFA judging team competitions and also exhibited breeding heifers and gilts and market steers and barrows.

Wigington fills the position formerly held by Ross Benson, who resigned to enter the private sector.

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COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Casey Reynolds has been named the new Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service state turf specialist and will begin July 1, according to Dr. Travis Miller, Texas A&M University soil and crop sciences associate department head in College Station.

Dr. Casey Reynolds has been named the new Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service state turf specialist. (Courtesy photo)

Reynolds will be headquartered in College Station in the department of soil and crop sciences.

“We are very pleased to have Dr. Reynolds join our team,” Miller said. “Turfgrass is a commodity that most Texans enjoy, whether in their home lawn or on a football field, and the technology being developed at Texas A&M will help improve quality while reducing all inputs, particularly the amount of water being used in the landscape.

“Dr. Reynolds will work with groups ranging from homeowners to sod farmers to bring relevant information to enhance turfgrass, its maintenance and production.”

Reynolds is coming to Texas after 10 years as a turfgrass research and Extension associate with North Carolina State University, where he performed field, greenhouse and lab research, as well as presented numerous Extension seminars.

“I have a passion for education, both inside and outside the classroom, particularly with regard to interacting with the public and disseminating valuable information to end users,” Reynolds said.

“This passion, combined with my previous research and Extension experience, allows me to be very optimistic that I will be able to immediately contribute to the Extension program at Texas A&M in a meaningful way.”

Reynolds earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from North Carolina State University, with concentrations in crop science and business management.

In the past, his research responsibilities included planting, plot management, data collection, data analysis and report preparation for turfgrass breeding and selection, as well as management and data collection on approximately 4.7 acres of research trials.

“I have been fortunate enough that my work experience allowed me to relate to and have an impact on different sectors of the turfgrass industry, including lawn care operators, sod producers, athletic field managers and golf course superintendents,” Reynolds said.

“I enjoy working with professionals from each of these sectors, as well as homeowners and weekend warriors interested in learning more about turfgrasses and their proper management,” he said. “I’m very excited about the opportunity to begin working in Texas.”

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The award was established in memory of Miller of Martinsburg, W.V., a founding member and first president of the peach council, according to the group’s website. The award is given “to encourage and recognize noteworthy research relating to improved marketing and utilization of peaches and/or peach products.”

Byrne, who researches stone fruit and roses, was cited for his recent introduction of four new peach varieties suitable for growing in areas that do not receive the cold temperatures that most other peach varieties need to produce.

Dr. David Byrne, Texas A&M AgriLife Research peach breeder, examines trees in his plot in College Station. (Texas A&M AgriLife Research photo by Kathleen Phillips)

He said they are the first series low-acid white peaches for warmer climates.

“These releases are part of several decade-long projects in which I’ve been developing a range of stone fruit types adapted to the warm winter regions of the world,” Byrne said.

He is currently in the process of releasing a series of yellow peaches, nectarines and flat peaches adapted for such regions. He has also actively investigated the origin of peach germplasm and, with various collaborators, has documented the health benefits of eating peaches and plums.

Byrne received his bachelor’s in plant science from Rutgers University in 1975 and his doctorate in plant breeding in 1980 from Cornell University.

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COLLEGE STATION – Matt Berg, a Texas A&M University ecosystem science and management student, was recently recognized by the Ecological Society of America as a Graduate Student Policy Award winner.

Matt Berg, a Texas A&M University ecosystem science and management student, was recently recognized by the Ecological Society of America as a Graduate Student Policy Award winner. (Texas A&M AgriLife Communications photo)

Berg is a doctoral student under Dr. Bradford Wilcox, a professor in hydrology, and Dr. Sorin Popescu, an associate professor in remote sensing, both with the university’s department of ecosystem science and management in College Station.

Berg has spent years working with a variety of local landowners and natural resource managers on ecological issues related to water supply and drought, agriculture, energy and water quality, Wilcox said.

As a stakeholder group coordinator, Berg worked with individuals representing multiple interests to improve water quality for an interagency priority watershed in Central Texas, approved at the federal level by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Wilcox said. He also coordinated a symposium that brought together speakers from academia and federal agencies to discuss pertinent issues in ecology.

Berg said he likes to find opportunities to share ecological information with his peers and with students at local elementary schools. He describes ecology as key in sparking “the minds of future naturalists, teachers and doctors.”

He also was recently a recipient of the Tom Slick Fellowship for the 2012–2013 academic year. The Tom Slick Fellowship is the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ most prestigious competitive fellowship. It is awarded to outstanding graduate students to support the completion of their dissertation after they have been admitted to candidacy for the doctorate degree.

The professional organization of 10,000 ecological scientists recognized four students, including Berg. Other award winners were Lindsay Deel, West Virginia University; Caitlin McDonough MacKenzie, Boston University, and Carlos Silva, University of Maryland.

The Biological Ecological Sciences Coalition sponsored a two-day event, which was co-chaired by the Ecological Society of America, where scientists and the award recipients had the opportunity to meet with legislators and participate in science policy activities in Washington, D.C.

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Contact: Dr. Danny Klinefelter, 979-845-7171, danklinefelter@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Danny Klinefelter, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist, was recently named to two distinguished groups of influential agricultural leaders by Top Producer magazine editors.

Klinefelter, also a professor in the department of agricultural economics at Texas A&M University, was part of Top Producer’s “Brave Thinkers: 30 Leaders Who Made a Difference” and its “7 Economists, Bankers Who Challenged the Status Quo.”

“The 30 brave thinkers we have chosen have all left big footprints on production agriculture,” according to the editors. “As a group, they represent the diversity of U.S. agriculture and hail from companies, universities and the world of politics.”

Dr. Danny Klinefelter, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist.

The magazine said that during Klinefelter’s  tenure at Texas A&M, “he has advised thousands of producers nationwide about the best farm management practices. An agricultural economist by trade, he has become a popular speaker.

“While these are notable accomplishments, Klinefelter is best known for the creation of The Executive Program for Agricultural Producers. More than 1,700 producers have completed the two-week program, representing 8 percent of the U.S. farm production. The program is unique in that it is not commodity focused; it focuses entirely on the business of farming.”

The magazine noted the program’s instructors are “the best nationwide, some agriculture, some strictly business.”

Klinefelter is also an advocate of peer advisory groups, where groups of eight to 10 producers, often from different regions, gather to work on problem-solving and explore opportunities, the editors noted.

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MIAMI – Michael Wilkes will be headed east across the Panhandle on May 15 to start in his new position as the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agriculture and natural resources agent for Roberts County.

Michael Wilkes will take the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agriculture and natural resources agent position in Roberts County on May 15. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Kay Ledbetter)

Wilkes, a native of Amarillo and graduate of West Texas A&M University, has spent the past four years serving as the AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Oldham County.

“I am very pleased to make this announcement,” said Brandon Dukes, AgriLife Extension district director in Amarillo. “Michael is well respected for his ability to connect with youth and adult audiences and will prove to be a valuable resource for the citizens of Roberts County.”

Wilkes has been honored with the Early Career Award from the Texas Agricultural Agents Association and with the Outstanding Youth Program Award from AgriLife Extension-District 1, Dukes said.

Prior to joining AgriLife Extension full time, Wilkes served an internship in the Randall County office and also as a student vocational agriculture teacher at Frenship Independent School District in Wolfforth.

“I’m excited about the move to Roberts County and the opportunities it will bring,” Wilkes said. “I want to increase involvement and provide stability to the AgriLife Extension programs that fit their needs.”

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Jennifer Reeves accepts family and consumer sciences post

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu

Contact: Scott Durham, 325-653-4576, ms-durham@tamu.edu

LLANO – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has named Jennifer Reeves their new agent for family and consumer sciences in Llano County.

The announcement was made by County Judge Wayne Brascom and Scott Durham, AgriLife Extension administrator in San Angelo.

Reeves is currently participating in AgriLife Extension’s First Step orientation training in Burnet County and will assume her permanent role in Llano County at the end of May.

“Jennifer exhibits a high degree of excitement and enthusiasm in regards to family and consumer sciences, and we feel she will be an ideal fit for the varied, yet progressive clientele she will encounter in Llano County,” Durham said. “She is a Llano County native who grew up in the county’s 4-H program, so she is not only very familiar with our agency, but also with the area.”

Reeves earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Tarleton State University. While attending Tarleton, she served as a graduate teaching assistant in marketing and design, production and graphic design.

Along with assisting professors in the classroom, she was active in school related extracurricular activities, including holding offices in Apha Gamma Delta, serving as president of the College of Agriculture and Human Science Ambassadors, vice president of the Texas Collegiate Agriculture Student Association and holding memberships in the Student Government Association and Student Programming Association.

Reeves fills the position vacated with the retirement of longtime AgriLife Extension agent Marilyn Hale.

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        Eight students won the Buck Weirus Spirit Award, five were named Distinguished Graduate Students and three were chosen for the President’s Award for Academic Advising. Additionally, five were given the Margaret Rudder Service Award, 10 were named to Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities, and three received the Gathright Scholar Award.

        The Buck Weirus Spirit Award recognizes “students for their outstanding contributions to the university through participation in student organizations, Aggie traditions and university events,” according to the Association of Former Students where the award’s namesake, Richard “Buck” Weirus, was executive director from 1964-80. Honorees from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences included undergraduate students Drew Alders, agricultural economics; Rolan Fields, agribusiness; Samantha Garcia, agriculture leadership and development; Daylon Koster, agriculture leadership and development; and Monica Zuniga, agriculture communications and journalism. Also honored were graduate students Kevin Andrews and Kalee Bumguardner, both in agricultural leadership, education and communications.

     The Association of Former Students also selected five of the college’s students for the Distinguished Graduate Student Award. This honor is given to 16 Texas A&M students each year for “exemplary efforts in research and teaching.” The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences had more recipients than any other college in the university. Honored were Dr. Yongchul Shin in biological and agricultural engineering and David Toledo in ecosystem science and management, both for doctoral research; and Alison Bockoven in entomology, Leslie Frenzel in animal science and Dianne Stroman in ecosystem science and management, all for teaching.

       Three of the five President’s Award for Academic Advising were presented to College of Agriculture and Life Sciences staff. They are Dr. David “Poppy” Capehart in the nutrition and food sciences department, Trina Gregory in the biochemistry and biophysics department and Donna Witt in the animal science department. Recipients each receive a $2,000 award and a plaque.

Five of the six students given the Margaret Rudder Service Award are College of Agriculture and Life Sciences majors. They include Andrea Fonseca, horticulture; Ana Sofia Corona Gaxiola, agronomy; Hayley Rogers, entomology; Cole Skinner, biological and agricultural engineering; and Cory Whitaker, agricultural leadership.

Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities selected graduate student Amir M. Samani Majd, biological and agricultural engineering; and undergraduate students Justin Benavidez, agricultural economics; Riddhi Bodani, biochemistry and biophysics; Deanna Bosse, agriculture business; Lonisa Early, animal science; Caleb Gottlich, nutrition and food science; Whitney Hinze, agriculture business; Aron Hutchins, agricultural leadership; Jake Riley, agriculture business; and Alfredo Tellez-Giron, food science and technology.

Three students received the Gathright Scholar Award for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. They are Seth Huffhines, animal science; Mollie Lastovica, agricultural communications; and Riddhi Bodani, biochemistry and biophysics.

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Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu

Contact: Scott Durham, 325-653-4576, ms-durham@tamu.edu

COLEMAN – Michael Palmer has been named the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for agriculture and natural resources in Coleman County effective May 15, according to an announcement made by Coleman County Judge Joe Watson and Scott Durham, AgriLife Extension administrator in San Angelo.

Michael Palmer (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Steve Byrns)

“I’m very pleased to be able to make this announcement,” said Durham. “Michael is very well known and thought of within our 23-county West Central District. He’s been a successful AgriLife Extension agent in neighboring Concho County since 2000, so he knows the area’s people and agriculture. I expect this to be a smooth transition and very beneficial to the already strong AgriLife Extension programming efforts in Coleman County.”

Palmer earned a bachelor’s degree from Tarleton State University in 1997 and a master’s degree from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2002.

His AgriLife Extension career began in 1997 in Wilson County as an assistant agent. After three years, he transferred to Concho County.

While in Concho County, Palmer developed strong educational programs in small grains, livestock management, wildlife, and predator management, according to Durham. He has also developed and maintained a strong 4-H youth program.

His awards and recognitions include being named the recipient of the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers’ Association Outstanding Agricultural Agent Award and the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association’s New Agents Recognition award.

Palmer fills the position previously held by Luther Dunlap who resigned to accept a position with the New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service.

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AUSTIN – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service today paid tribute to one of its staunchest industry supporters.

Texas Cotton Producers Inc. was presented with the Extension Partnership Award during its April 9 board of directors meeting and “Cotton Day at the Capitol” event in Austin.

“We confer the award in tribute to this organization’s long-time engagement with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service,” said Dr. Doug Steele, AgriLife Extension director at College Station. “The support of the board members and their predecessors has significantly enhanced the outreach and impact of our educational programs, as well as the recognition of AgriLife Extension educators.”

Texas Cotton Producers Inc., headquartered in Austin, consists of nine certified cotton producer organizations that represent Texas growers on the state and national levels.

The organization has worked on a number of endeavors in concert with AgriLife Extension, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and others to promote the interests of Texas cotton growers. These efforts included formation of the statewide integrated pest management program, Texas Pest Management Association, Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Program and Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation.

In addition, Cotton Incorporated’s Texas state support committee relies on Texas Cotton Producers to oversee an average $1.25 million annually for research and education projects, including funds that support the efforts of AgriLife Extension specialists, county agents and integrated pest management agents, as well as AgriLife Extension’s Premier Cotton Educator Program, Master Marketer Program, and Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership program.

Young people across the state, likewise, benefit through support from Texas Cotton Producers, Inc. for 4-H projects, career days and college scholarships to Texas A&M and Texas Tech universities.

“Texas Cotton Producers Inc. has demonstrated an enduring commitment to Extension education, as well as the teaching and research of Texas A&M AgriLife,” Steele said. “We deeply appreciate their support.”

Board chairman Doyle Schniers of San Angelo accepted the award.  The nine member organizations are: Blackland Cotton and Grain Producers Association, Cotton and Grain Producers of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, El Paso Valley Cotton Association, Plains Cotton Growers, Rolling Plains Cotton Growers, St. Lawrence Cotton Growers Association, South Texas Cotton and Grain Association, Southern Rolling Plains Cotton Growers Association and the Trans-Pecos Cotton Association.

Since 1999, the AgriLife Extension Partnership Award has recognized vital alliances with agencies, organizations and others outside the Texas A&M University System whose support and collaboration has significantly enhanced the outreach and impact of  Extension education for the people of Texas.
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