COLLEGE STATION – David Groschke, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for Limestone County, has been awarded a 2012 Superior Service Award, the highest honor given by the agency.
The award, presented Jan. 8 during the annual Texas A&M AgriLife conference in College Station, is given to staff who demonstrate outstanding performance or who provide exceptional service to AgriLife Extension, an educational outreach agency of the Texas A&M University System.
Groschke was recognized for outstanding programming and Extension education efforts in the areas of 4-H and youth, beef and forage production, and sustainable agriculture and natural resources/new landowner education.
His efforts in 4-H agriculture and natural resources programming were instrumental in livestock and horse judging teams capturing state 4-H titles in 2010. The livestock team went on to be named reserve national champion in Louisville the following fall. In addition, Groschke’s mentorshop has helped five youths receive scholarships to colleges based on performance and participation in the livestock judging program since 2010.
“Perhaps what I find to be the most notable trait of David’s is the moral standard which (he) held not only to himself but the youth he worked with,” wrote Jodie Jackson, 4-H Club manager and adult leader/volunteer, in the award nomination. “It warmed my heart to hear of stories of activities that children would attend with him and the code of ethics he impressed upon their lifestyles. He encouraged the honest, hard-working, and selfless nature in people to emerge, and it was through that mindset that success flourished around his teachings.”
Beef and forage production programming included live calf price demonstrations, programs on grass establishment and drought recovery, weed control and assisting with difficult calving situations. Data from these programs indicated that more than 63 percent of the producers intended to use renovation techniques recommended for pastures damaged by drought, use identification techniques to select specific herbicides for weed control and use marketing strategies to enhance profitability in calves.
Groschke’s leadership efforts in the following programs were noted: East Region Livestock Mentor Training, State 4-H Advisory Board and Texas County Agricultural Agents Association, and livestock superintendent at the Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo.
“David Groschke exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding county Extension agent,” wrote Donald Kelm, AgriLife Extension administrator for District 8. “He understands and fully utilizes the program development process to address the issues that are of concern to the residents of his county. David is not only respected by his peers within District 8, but also statewide. David is a leader and is willing to do the job that will take the Extension program in Limestone County to the next level.”
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