UT Institute of Agriculture Presents Top Faculty and Staff Awards for 2025
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The accomplishments of the faculty and staff of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture were celebrated at an annual awards luncheon held on the UT Knoxville campus in the new Agriculture and Natural Resources Building on July 30. Many of the awards are gifts made possible by faculty, alumni and friends of the institute.
UTIA Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President Keith Carver hosted the luncheon and praised the honorees for their work. “The enthusiasm and expertise demonstrated by our UTIA faculty and staff is unparalleled,” he said. “I am always in awe of their dedication to providing real life solutions to the people of Tennessee. These well-deserved awards represent impacts and accomplishments that benefit Tennesseans and society now and for years to come.”
Shelly Barnes, Extension Specialist I with UT Extension Family and Consumer Sciences, is the recipient of the William D. Bishop Award for Outstanding Service. Presented in memory of Dean Emeritus Bishop, this award recognizes a member of the field force of UT Extension who has contributed most to the attainment of Extension objectives.
“I am incredibly honored to receive this award,” Barnes says. “It’s a reflection of the hard work, passion and dedication our team brings to serving individuals and families every day. This recognition inspires me to continue making a meaningful difference in Tennessee communities.”
In her work, Barnes serves as assistant project director for Skill Up Tennessee, UT Extension’s SNAP Employment and Training program focused on helping Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment. From her base in DeKalb County, she develops, coordinates and implements the Skill Up Tennessee program in partnership with state departments, higher education providers and community-based organizations.
Prior to her current position, Barnes worked as a county-based Extension agent in family and consumer sciences serving Wilson County. She has been with UT Extension for 19 years.
Barnes has been recognized for her impacts before, most recently with the institute’s prestigious Charles and Julie Wharton Award for Outstanding Extension Achievements in 2022. In 2014, she received the Vernon and Ida Darter Award, which recognizes excellence among the many associate Extension agents across the state. In 2010, she was honored with the Lewis H. Dickson Award for innovative programming.
Barnes holds a bachelor of science degree in child development and family studies, a master of science degree in family and consumer sciences/human sciences and a certificate in gerontology all from Middle Tennessee 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.