UT Institute of Agriculture Presents Top Faculty and Staff Awards for 2020
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture recognized extraordinary service from members of the faculty and staff across the state at its annual awards and promotions event, held this year on August 21, 2020. Honorees were recognized virtually during a Zoom presentation rather than a fun, in-person luncheon. This change in venue did not minimize the amazing accomplishments for 2020. Many of the awards are gifts made possible by past faculty, alumni and friends of the Institute.
Kayla Jenkins with UT Extension Macon County is the winner of the Bill and Ann Hicks Outstanding New Extension Worker Award.
“I am truly honored to have been selected for the Ann and Bill Hicks Outstanding New Extension Worker Award,” Jenkins says. “For more than four years, I have been fortunate to work with the best coworkers, 4-H members and families in Macon County.”
Jenkins is the 4-H agent for Macon County. She enjoys training kids for competitions and judging teams, and her Outdoor Meat Cookery team was a state winner in 2017. She also trained a meat judging team that competed at the Western National Roundup.
UT Institute of Agriculture Senior Vice President Tim Cross hosted the Zoom session for the award winners and praised them for their work. “Now more than ever, it’s critical that we take time to acknowledge the award-winning work that our faculty and staff carry out, even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic,” Cross says. “Tennesseans can count on the real-life solutions that the UT Institute of Agriculture provides to students and stakeholders from communities throughout Tennessee and beyond to enhance the economy, conserve the environment, and develop leaders for the future.”
Through its mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. utia.tennessee.edu.