Neuendorff and Lamb receive Build East Texas Awards

Writer: Robert Burns, 903-834-6191, rd-burns@tamu.edu

TYLER — The Build East Texas organization announced its 2014 and 2015 Awards of Excellence in Agricultural Research and Extension to Don Neuendorff, Overton, and Truman Lamb, Palestine, respectively.

The awards were presented at the joint Build East Texas and Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership banquet Jan. 19 at the Hollytree Country Club, Tyler.

The Build East Texas Award of Excellence in Agricultural Research and Extension is presented bi-annually to recognize outstanding contributions by personnel of Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Neuendorff has been a research associate with AgriLife Research at Overton for 35 years.

Lamb has been an AgriLife Extension county agent for agriculture and natural resources since 1984, and currently serves the residents of Anderson County.

According to the award documentation, Neuendorff “works cooperatively with other AgriLife Research scientists to develop technologies that enhance beef production.”

“Neuendorff has a strong commitment to Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension,” said Dr. Charles Long, resident director of research at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton and presenter of the Build East Texas awards. “He has been involved with the training of numerous undergraduate interns and graduate students, training young people in procedures necessary for their professions as AgriLife Extension agents and specialists, as well as university and industry researchers and veterinarians.”

Neuendorff’s other major contribution at the Overton center has been developing management solutions to challenges to beef cattle production, including best management practices for control of wild hogs, Long said.

Lamb, in addition to his dedication to work with Anderson County producers and landowners to solve their needs, the award documentation cites his implementation of numerous result demonstrations in Anderson and other counties. He has worked hard to bring agricultural producers the latest in applied research and technology.

“Truman is in constant contact with commercial horticulture producers, home gardeners and Christmas tree growers on production and management practices,” according to the documentation.

Lamb’s areas of expertise include beef cattle and forage production, horticultural crop production, aquatic weed and brush control, water conservation and wildlife management.

Other major programs led by Lamb include:

— Artificial Insemination/Palpation workshops.

— Top Ranch Management Program.

— Computerized Financial Management workshops.

Lamb’s previous awards include the Landowners Association of Texas Service Award, Achievement Award for Excellence in Extension Service Educational programming, Outstanding County Agricultural Agent, and the National Association of County Agricultural Agents’ National Distinguished Service Award in 2003. He has also received awards for his work in print media and radio programming.

The purpose of the Build East Texas program, informally known as BET, is to improve the agricultural income of East Texas citizens by encouraging the adoption and application of the newest technology, and developing marketing systems. BET works with area agribusinesses, develops local leadership, and strives to beautify and best utilize East Texas natural resources.

The Build East Texas Program area consists of 37 counties, including Anderson, Angelina, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Franklin, Freestone, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Houston, Jasper, Leon, Madison, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Newton, Panola, Polk, Rains, Red River, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Walker and Wood.

Membership of the BET Program is voluntary and is open to everyone. The AgriLife Extension and AgriLife Research work closely with the program.

For more information about BET membership or its programs contact the local county AgriLife Extension office.