UT Institute of Agriculture Presents Top Faculty and Staff Awards for 2021
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 July 30, 2021. The event was conducted in person, a welcome return to normalcy after having an online ceremony because of the pandemic last year. The awards honor the extraordinary performance of UTIA employees during a difficult year of online education and changes to procedures because of the pandemic. Many of the awards are gifts made possible by faculty, alumni and friends of the Institute.
UTIA Senior Vice President Tim Cross hosted the award winners and praised them for their work. “After a challenging and stressful year, it’s a pleasure to recognize excellence as exemplified by these award-winning members of the UTIA faculty and staff,” Cross says. “Their continuing dedication to our land-grant mission of serving Tennessee ensures that we develop and deliver real life solutions to improve health, grow the economy and enhance our environment.”
Dallas Manning with UT Extension is one of the statewide winners of the Tennessee Association of Agricultural Agents and Specialists Award. The award is further named for Billy G. Hicks, dean emeritus of UT Extension. Blake Ramsey with UT Extension in Hawkins County was also named a winner of this honor.
“I feel honored and blessed to receive the TAAA&S Hicks Award,” Manning says. “I have proudly worked for UT Extension for nearly 40 years, and each day has been a learning experience. The rewards of helping farm families with their many challenges has been immense. I am very thankful for this award and a great career.”
Manning is an area farm management specialist serving southern middle Tennessee whose expertise helps farm families meet their financial goals and stay in business. He helped form UT Extension’s MANAGE financial management program. Manning is also heavily involved with the Swisher Sweets Sunbelt Expo Farmer of the Year program. Over the years, ten producers from his area were nominated and then named the Tennessee Farmer of the Year, and one of them was named the top farmer for the Southeastern U.S.
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.