2009 Awards
TAAA&S Hicks Awards of Excellence
As pictured from left to right:
UT Extension Dean Tim Cross, Mitchell Mote, Extension Agent in Rutherford County, Joe Griffy, Extension Agent and County Director, Stewart County, and Megan Bruch, Extension Specialist, Center for Profitable Agriculture
Award Description
This award, established by the Tennessee Association of Agricultural Agents and Specialists and other endowment funds, is presented annually to up to three UT Extension faculty who are also members of TAAA&S.
Citation
Megan Bruch has been honored with a number of awards, including the Cavender and Dickson awards. She was also named the Outstanding New Extension Worker. Megan works as a Marketing Specialist for the Center for Profitable Agriculture in Spring Hill. She provides leadership in educational programs for those in agri-business and agri-tourism. Her specialty is the marketing of value-added products and services. She’s conducted presentations for more than 5,000 Tennessee farmers at 125 producer meetings in her time with us. Just as an example of how effective Megan can be - she’s worked with Honeysuckle Hill Farm in Springfield for several years, where they grow beautiful pumpkins and other crops. Through Megan’s marketing work, Honeysuckle had 3,500 visitors in 2004, 10,000 the next year—and, in 2008, 44,000. Owner Jeff Alsup writes, “I can honestly say that we would not have grown this fast without the help of Megan Bruch.” Megan is an effective team leader - working with county agents, the Tennessee Farm Bureau and Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
Honoree Joe Griffy made a life and career change two decades ago, and we’re glad he did. Joe was a police officer in Clarksville, who decided to get an agriculture degree. He then started working for UT Extension in Stewart County in 1987, and he’s been there since. Today he is the County Director. Joe is known for his close, working relationships with all farmers in his county - a huge agricultural area. He’s been especially helpful to tobacco producers who’ve seen the federal quota and price support system go away in recent years. This was a potential hardship for farmers and Stewart County’s overall economy. But Joe has been working to keep these landowners in agriculture - conducting workshops in alternative ventures such as vegetable and fruit production - and adding value to existing enterprises such as beef cattle, hay production and forestry. He has been active in maintaining a productive Master Beef program in his county. Joe is also proud of the local Farmer’s Market, and had a hand in its development and growth. Western Region Director Mike Gordon calls Joe ... “one of the best Extension professionals in the Tennessee system.
Mitchell Mote is our third recipient this year. Mitchell is a Rutherford County agent who works in Adult Ag and 4-H. Mitchell has been with Extension some 20 years, with much of that service coming in Murfreesboro. This gentleman is known for his professionalism - coupled with an easy-going, down-to-earth personality. Mitchell is especially praised for his work with residents in lawn care, landscaping and gardening. That’s not an easy thing to do in Rutherford county - where the soil is mostly clay, rocky and lately used to grow a lot of houses. Mitchell’s time, he’s seen Rutherford County shift from rural to urban - with a population today that tops 200,000. Mitchell has done a great job of developing programs, field days and demonstration plots to address the needs of this changing clientele. People appreciate the quality and depth of his instruction, and his wonderful ability to put things in words everyone can understand. Mitchell is a big believer in Extension’s role as an educational tool that serves the people of Tennessee, and has personally held dozens of seminars and workshops on topics such as lawn care.