The Horticulture Committee is responsible for a host of award opportunities including Urban Agriculture Education Award, Innovations in Urban Agriculture Award, Pecan Achievement Award, Vegetable Research/Demonstration Award, Fruit Industry and Research Award, and the Consumer Horticulture Award of Excellence.
The Urban Agriculture Education Award recognizes agents who have developed and implemented educational and applied research programs to support the professionals in Georgia’s Urban Agriculture Industry. Sponsored by the Urban Ag Council, it is accompanied with a $500 honorarium and plaque presented at the GACAA Annual Meeting. Also, the winner(s) will be invited to attend and receive recognition at the annual UAC Awards Banquet. The 2018 recipient was Tim Daly from Gwinnett County with his project entitled: UGA Extension Gwinnett Green Industry Educational Programs.
The Innovation in Urban Ag Award is sponsored by the Georgia Center for Urban Ag. The Center for Urban Agriculture would like to recognize Extension Agents that have found new solutions to old problems, tried successful new methods of educational delivery, and/or have been able to engage new urban extension audiences. One of the greatest challenges working in Urban Areas is the shear volume of people to serve and finding ways to promote our programs and impacts in a competitive mass media market. Please share your success stories with us. The winner is awarded either a $500 travel voucher or $500 program supply voucher and a plaque. The 2018 winner was Ann Randle with a project entitled the Columbus Community Gardens Map Project.
The Pecan Achievement Award is sponsored by the Georgia Pecan Commission and recognizes County Agents who have developed and implemented educational and applied research programs to support the professionals in Georgia’s Pecan Industry. Winners receive $200 and a plaque.
The Vegetable Research/Demonstration Award is sponsored by the UGA Extension Vegetable Team. The aim is to award County Agents who have identified a specific problem or research opportunity related to the vegetable industry and has assumed a lead role in project development and completion. Potential contributions for recognition include, but are not limited to: production and pest management research, farm economics, product marketing, post-harvest evaluations, environmental impact evaluations, or regulatory/labor issue mitigation. First and second place will be awarded with $500 and $250 respectively. Stephanie Hollifield, Brooks County, won first place in 2018. John Scaduto, Rabun COunty, was awarded second place.
Members of the Georgia Wine Producers Association, Georgia Peach Council, Georgia Strawberry Growers Association, Georgia Blueberry Growers Association and the Georgia Citrus Growers would like to recognize Extension Agents efforts in aiding to strengthen the fruit industry in Georgia. The winner will be awarded a $600 cash prize to use for professional development. The 2018 winner was Clark MacCallister, Dawson and Lumpkin Counties, for his viticulture work.
Most of these awards are due by the send of September or first of November.
Nathan Eason (neason@uga.edu) is chair of the Horticulture Committee and would be happy to answer any questions.
