Gov. Abbott, Dallas, Fort Worth mayors recognize retiring AgriLife specialist
Writer and contact: Gabe Saldana, 956-408-5040, [email protected]
DALLAS — Dr. Dotty Woodson, over 30 years with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, curated and disseminated a wealth of knowledge covering the facets of sustainable landscapes and gardening.
She retires from Texas A&M AgriLife Jan. 30 on the heels of congratulatory farewells from Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas A&M administration and the mayors of Dallas and Fort Worth — Mike Rawlings and Betsy Price, respectively.
“You have made many contributions to the horticulture and environmental fields in the Lone Star State,” Abbott stated in a proclamation for Woodson. “Today, I join my fellow Texans in commending you for your hard work and dedication.”
Woodson, a program specialist focusing on water resources and landscape horticulture, is a pioneer of agricultural extension work through mass media. She reached audiences through television, print and the internet. Her public teaching activities with AgriLife’s Water University program in Dallas delivered critical information on conservation practices outdoors to hundreds of thousands of Texans each year.
Dr. Susan Ballabina, Texas A&M deputy vice chancellor for agriculture and life sciences in College Station, addressed Woodson in recorded remarks.
“You have set the bar for what urban extension can do,” she said. “We are so proud of you. We are so proud of your career, and we wish you all the best in this new phase of your life.”
Woodson’s expert knowledge spans an array of disciplines including rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, landscape water conservation, irrigation efficiency and natural resource protection across the state.
She has contributed to regional and national television programs including “Your Garden,” “Extension in the City,” “Gardening with Dotty” and Home and Garden Television’s “Gardening by the Yard.” She also provided timely gardening advice over a decade of Sunday morning news segments for North Texas NBC affiliate KXAS.
Woodson’s innumerable accolades include two national awards for horticulture excellence; 63 communication awards for newspapers, videos, newsletters and magazines; achievement awards for 4-H Youth Development; Superior Service and Vice Chancellor’s awards from the Texas A&M University System; a Texas State proclamation; the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence; and the U.S.Department of Agriculture’s National Diversity Award.
