Writer: Kay Ledbetter, (806) 677-5608,skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Steve Amosson, (806) 677-5600,samosson@ag.tamu.edu
AMARILLO – Well-rounded programs have earned Dr. Steve Amosson the American Agricultural Economics Association’s Distinguished Extension Award: More Than 10 Years’ Experience.
Amosson is a Regents Fellow and professor and economist with Texas Cooperative Extension. He is receiving the award today at the annual economics association meeting in Providence, R.I.
“The Extension awards committee was impressed with the overall quality of the nominations for the individual award with 10 years or more of experience,” said Gary Schnitkey, chair of the economics association awards committee.
“Dr. Amosson has an excellent program that is extremely helpful to producers in Texas and his work is a credit to Texas A&M University,” Schnitkey said. “Dr. Amosson has worked on many topics of concern to Texas agriculture and his curriculum approach to marketing education is unique among his peers. Again, it is a credit to Dr. Amosson that he was selected for this award from the other outstanding nominations.”
Amosson is co-director of the national Master Marketer Program, director of the “Have Computer Will Travel” project and project leader of Texas A&M’s High Plains Water Planning Team. He also has served as project director or principle investigator on more than 60 grants.
“To have my program recognized by my peers from across the country is an unbelievable honor,” Amosson said. “However, almost everything I’ve done has been accomplished by working with a team of individuals and they are all as, if not more, deserving of this award.
“I can’t believe how fortunate I’ve been to work with the quality and dedicated professionals associated with Extension and Texas A&M University,” he said.
A native of Eagle Grove, Iowa, Amosson earned a bachelor of science degree and a master’s degree from Iowa State University and a doctorate from Texas A&M University.
He has been with Texas A&M since 1977, and with Extension since 1985. His primary responsibility is Extension’s education/applied research program in agricultural economics in 21 Panhandle counties.
“We are extremely excited that Steve Amosson has been recognized by the national professional organization for agricultural economists,” said Dr. Roland Smith, associate director for agriculture, natural resources and community economic development in College Station.
“This is a true tribute to the innovative Extension programs Dr. Amosson has developed over the last 20 years in the High Plains of Texas,” Smith said. “Steve has improved the economic well being of farmers and ranchers as a result of the educational programs he has pioneered.”
Amosson has been honored 20 times for contributions in the areas of marketing, finance and policy from professional and clientele groups, including: American Agricultural Economics Association, Western Agricultural Economics Association, Southern Agricultural Economics Association, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Association of Wheat Growers.
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