UT Institute of Agriculture Presents Top Faculty and Staff Awards for 2022
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture recognized some of its top faculty, staff, researchers and Extension experts at UTIA’s annual Awards and Promotions luncheon on the UTIA campus in Knoxville August 16, 2022. 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 Carrie Castille hosted the award winners and celebrated their work. “I am so excited to recognize excellence as exemplified by the award-winning members of our UTIA faculty and staff,” Castille says. “Their continuing commitment to our land-grant mission ensures that the Institute develops and delivers real-life solutions to improve the health and economy of our state and beyond while also enhancing our environment.”
Jason Garrett, UT Extension agent in Overton County, is one of three statewide winners of the TAAA&S-Hicks Awards of Excellence. Established by the Tennessee Association of Agricultural Agents and Specialists and other endowment funds, this award is presented annually to up to three agricultural Extension faculty who are also members of TAAA&S. The award is also named in honor of UT Extension Dean Emeritus Billy Hicks. The other winners for 2022 are Ryan Blair, UT Extension Area Specialist, Western Region, and Bruce Steelman with UT Extension in Lincoln County.
“I am extremely honored to be chosen by my peers for the Hicks Award. I am truly blessed to work for such an outstanding organization, UT Extension,” Garrett says.
Garrett is the principal agricultural agent for Overton County, with six years of service. He worked in the landscaping business and for his family farm before joining the Overton County staff in 2016. His specialties include cool-season lawn care, landscape installation, beef cattle production and invasive wildlife control and wildlife management, including feral hog control. Garrett also does pest identification work, coordinates small ruminant programs and conducts one-on-one farm visits with producers.
Through its land-grant mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. utia.tennessee.edu.