UT Institute of Agriculture Presents Top Faculty and Staff Awards for 2023
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 on August 15, 2023. 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 celebrated their work. “I’m excited to celebrate the amazing work of our UTIA faculty and staff,” says Carver. “These awards are well-deserved and represent our employees’ steadfast dedication to their work, the Institute and the people of Tennessee. The impact of their accomplishments and passion will be felt for generations to come.”
Staci Foy, Extension agent in Henry 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 UT Extension 4-H Youth Development programs, who, for over 30 years, has provided exemplary service to the University of Tennessee in many capacities. She was a 4-H member in Crockett County. 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. She is also an honorary life member of the Tennessee 4-H Foundation.
Foy is in her 25th year with UT Extension, serving also as a 4-H agent in McNairy County in her career. Her 4-Hers are active in programs such as the photography project, which Foy recently transitioned to a digital format, boosting enrollment. Foy shares her love of wildlife with youth, including the OWLS program, which stands for Outdoor, Wildlife, Leadership and Service. Paris, Tennessee is famous as the home of Clifty Farms Country Hams, and Foy leads 4-Hers in a ham curing project. She also is the current president of the Tennessee chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, an organization for Extension professionals, and serves in UT Extension’s mentoring program for new agents.
Foy earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Murray State University.
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.