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. The event included several new honors this year.
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.”
Tim Woods, Extension agent and director of McMinn County Extension, is one recipient of the Charles and Julie Wharton Award for Outstanding Extension Achievements. Established by long-time supporters of the Institute of Agriculture Charles Wharton and his late wife Julie, and now supported by Charles and Lori Wharton, this award is presented to three UT Extension agents annually. These agents may conduct programs in any area, including agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, and resource development. Special consideration is given to those individuals who have demonstrated excellence in serving local needs for five years or more. Ranson Goodman from Henry County Extension and Scott Swoape from White County Extension also received this award.
“I am honored to have been nominated and selected to receive the Charles and Julie Wharton Award,” says Woods. “I appreciate all the support and help from administrators, agents and coworkers during my many years in Extension. I appreciate the people of McMinn County allowing me the opportunity to serve them and especially thankful to my family for their continued support over all these years to have a career that I enjoy and do not consider a job, but a calling.”
Woods has been with UTIA for 37 years, 26 of which he has served as the county director for McMinn County Extension. Prior to working in McMinn County, he worked for six years at the Blount unit of the East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center and five years at UT Extension Monroe County.
Among his many accomplishments, Woods helped with the design and completion of the McMinn Higher Education Center, which includes a new UT Extension office and meeting room. He has worked for nearly 25 years with the Athens Precondition Feeder Calf Program at the McMinn County Beef College and with the Southeast Tennessee Beef Summit. Woods previously received the TAAA&S Young Agent Award, the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association Outstanding Work in Beef Cattle Extension, the TAAA&S Distinguished Service Award, the NACAA Distinguished Service Award, the McMinn County Livestock Association Distinguished Service Award, the TAAA&S Hicks Award of Excellence, the McMinn County SCD Friend of Conservation Award, and the Dr. Jim Neel Outstanding Extension Work – Adult Agriculture award.
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.