LUBBOCK–After 12 years as Texas Agricultural Extension Service district director for agricultural programs in the 20-county South Plains District, Dr. Robert G. “Bob” Robinson is moving to Amarillo as district director for the Panhandle District.
For the past two years, following the retirement of longtime Panhandle District extension director Paul Gross, Robinson has done double duty as interim director of the 21-county area around Amarillo. He will continue to serve both districts until a replacement is selected for the South Plains District. The Extension Service is an off-campus educational arm of the Texas A&M University System.
“Dr. Robinson has done an outstanding job as district director for the South Plains,” said Dr. Zerle L. Carpenter, director of the Extension Service headquartered in College Station. “He also has effectively served the Panhandle District the past two years following the retirement of Paul Gross. He and co-workers Dr. Kathy Volanty and Dr. Martha Couch have been an outstanding team in providing overall leadership for Extension educational programs in agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, community development and 4-H and youth development.
“I am pleased that Dr. Robinson will continue to give leadership to Extension education in the Panhandle District, working with Donna Brauchi, newly appointed district director for family and consumer sciences,” Carpenter said. “His energy and enthusiasm have served the people in both districts well. County agents under his supervision have been effective in focusing on the concerns and needs of farmers and ranchers, communities and youth, and his leadership should continue to serve the Panhandle District well.”
Area leaders echoed Carpenter’s views.
“Dr. Robinson has been a tremendous asset to the region,” said Pete Laney, speaker of the Texas House of Representatives and a Hale County farmer. “He has a talent for pulling together all the resources to give our agriculture industry the best possible service and information. I think he will continue to do the same good work as he moves his expertise to the Amarillo area.”
Texas Tech Chancellor John T. Montford said, “Dr. Robinson and I interacted often during my tenure in the Texas Senate. He has had a significant positive impact on the development of our agricultural resources on the South Plains. The Panhandle District is fortunate to have his leadership and vision.”
Donald Johnson, who retired last month after 37 years as executive vice president of Plains Cotton Growers here, said Robinson “went above and beyond what was expected to assist growers and all elements of the area’s cotton industry. Under his leadership, the level of (educational) activity on the part of county extension agents and specialists has been great. We hate to see him leave our area, but know he will do an outstanding job for producers in the Panhandle.”
A veteran of 27 years with the Extension Service, Robinson is recognized as an innovator and leader who brings together the talents and resources of varied agencies, institutions and organizations to address needs identified by the citizens of the area. However, he quickly gives credit for these accomplishments to “the outstanding group of county agents and specialists of the South Plains”.
Under his leadership, the South Plains provides a model for the nation in the use of integrated pest management (IPM) to effectively protect crops and natural resources while combating insect, weed and disease pests. The district boasts more IPM agents working with producers than are found in any state outside Texas. He was instrumental in organizing the Agri-Partners program, a coalition of Texas A&M, the Extension Service, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, private industry, Texas Tech University, West Texas A&M University, commodity groups, producers and other agencies. It effectively leverages fragmented resources to address regional issues in production, marketing and all aspects of agribusiness vital to the region’s economy.
The 22,000 4-H Club members of the South Plains consistently lead the state in judging teams, record books, method demonstrations, scholarships and leadership activities. Robinson has been very effective in enhancing the recruiting, training and use of 4-H volunteer leaders.
A native of Happy, Robinson holds a bachelor’s degree from West Texas A&M (WTSU), a master’s from Texas A&M, and a doctoral degree from Texas Tech, all in animal science. He joined the Extension Service in 1970 as an agent in Potter County. He transferred to Randall County as agent in 1976 and served there until named district director in 1985. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Texas Tech.
Among his awards, he has received two A&M Vice Chancellor’s Awards in Excellence, three Superior Service Awards from the Extension Service; the Clean Texas 2000 Governor’s Award for environmental excellence, and two U.S. Department of Agriculture Awards of Excellence. He is a graduate of the National Extension Leadership Development Program.
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