UT Institute of Agriculture Presents Top Faculty and Staff Awards for 2024
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture celebrated the accomplishments of some of its top faculty, staff, researchers and Extension experts at UTIA’s annual awards and promotions luncheon. This year’s ceremony was held in the newly-opened Agriculture and Natural Resources Building on the UTIA campus in Knoxville on August 14, 2024. Many of the awards are gifts made possible by faculty, alumni and friends of the Institute.
UT Institute of Agriculture Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President Keith Carver hosted the award winners and praised them for their work. “I continue to be amazed by the dedication, enthusiasm and expertise demonstrated by the impressive work of our UTIA faculty and staff,” says Carver. “The awards are well deserved, and the impacts of these accomplishments are seen across the state and will benefit Tennesseans for generations.”
Julie Harstin, UT Extension agent in Obion County, is the recipient of the Alice Ann Moore Outstanding 4-H Youth Development Agent Award. This award was established by Alice Ann Moore, former director of the UT Extension 4-H Youth Development Program, who, for more than 30 years, provided exemplary service to UT in many capacities. Under her leadership, Tennessee 4-H developed a life skills evaluation system that is nationally recognized as a ground-breaking scientific means of providing feedback on the effectiveness of 4-H youth education programs. Harstin earned this year’s award based on her lengthy dedication to the 4-H Youth Development Program.
Julie Harstin, a humble member of the UT Extension for more than 20 years, has filled her role in many counties across the state doing what she loves. Fond memories in her career as a 4-H camp staffer include dressing up in costume as a ‘cardboard computer’ to entice interested kids to come view her station. In recent years she took a small group of 4-H kids to the National 4-H Forestry Judging Invitational, where her pupils took photos of an interesting campfire ring to provide inspiration for a similar ring built at UT Extension’s newest 4-H Center at Lone Oaks Farm.
Harstin is passionate about growth, excitement and education. With gratitude she explains, “I am one of the most blessed people on Earth to be able to do work that I find valuable and fulfilling for a career. On top of that, I work with some of the most kind and capable people I have ever met. This award humbles me, because I am among so many deserving others.”
As a 4-H kid herself, Harstin fondly remembers her own agents, Danny Bullington, Carlene Welch and Rosalind Woodard, who helped her overcome “firsts” like singing in public. Bringing this feeling full circle and providing support to future kids, just as she was supported, helps her find joy. She is an excellent example of the passion and dedication that this award honors, said Justin Rhinehart, interim dean of UT Extension.
Harstin received her B.S. in agriculture from the University of Tennessee at Martin, and her M.S. in dairy science from Louisiana State University.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch, and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach, the Institute touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu.