AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agents earn awards
Awards recognize outstanding programming and professional excellence at state and national levels
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agriculture and natural resources county agents from across Texas recently received recognition at their state and national professional association meetings.
The National Association of County Agricultural Agents, NACAA, meeting was in Denver, and the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association, TCAAA, held its meeting in Abilene.
In addition, seven community members were recognized as Man/Woman of the Year during the TCAAA meeting.
Man/Woman of the Year
Rodney Mosier
Mosier, of Amarillo, joined the Texas Wheat Producers Board and Association as executive assistant in 1984. He was appointed executive vice president in 1998 and served in that role until his retirement in 2025, dedicating more than 41 years to the organization. Among his most significant accomplishments was negotiating the first wheat royalty agreement with Texas A&M University, creating a long-term revenue source that continues to support wheat research, promotion and producer services. A longtime friend and supporter of AgriLife Extension, Mosier has worked alongside agents across the state for decades. He is a graduate of the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership, TALL, Program, Class IV, and serves on the TALL Advisory Board.
Kevin Przilas
Przilas is a senior territory manager with over 27 years of experience at Merck Animal Health, where he has built his career around strong relationships, customer success and delivering meaningful results in the animal health industry. He is actively involved in youth and agricultural organizations, including 4-H, FFA, the Texas High School Rodeo Association, Texas Ranch Brigade, the Cross Timbers Commercial Steer Feeding Program and with AgriLife Extension agents, where they combine their efforts to improve herd health.
James Browning
Browning has been one of the strongest supporters of AgriLife Extension programming for over 20 years in Panola County. Alongside his wife, he has graciously opened their ranch for field days, producer trainings, pasture tours and educational demonstrations. Whether assisting with research demonstrations or supporting programs behind the scenes, Browning has consistently answered the call to serve. His leadership extends throughout the community, having served as past president and past treasurer of the Panola Beef and Forage Committee, former board member of the Panola County Groundwater Conservation District, and currently vice-chair of the Panola County Soil and Water Conservation District Board.
Gary Jennings
Jennings, a fourth-generation rancher, raises sheep and cattle on the border of Mason and San Saba counties and has been actively involved with AgriLife Extension in Mason County. He has supported youth livestock judging by hosting teams and providing classes for contests. From 1993 to 2013, he coached the Mason County 4-H Livestock Judging Teams, leading teams that earned seven top-five national finishes, including two national championships. Jennings also serves on the Mason County Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Committee and Leadership Advisory Board, chairs the Farm Service Agency Advisory Committee, and serves on the Texas Farm Bureau Sheep and Goat Advisory Committee.
Kermit Wendland
For more than 50 years, Wendland has exemplified the spirit of service, leadership and dedication to Texas agriculture and its youth. He began volunteering with the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Association’s cattle department in 1971 and eventually served as operations director. For 54 years, he worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of the stock show, rodeo and numerous events hosted on the fairgrounds. Wendland continues to serve the Miles Junior Livestock Show, the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Foundation Scholarship Committee, and the Gold Spur Committee. In 2014, the Kermit Wendland Scholarship was established in his honor, providing $20,000 annually to a deserving student.
Ryan Cade
Cade is a fourth-generation Brazoria County resident and founded his Wagyu ranching operation in 2012. What began as a small venture has grown into R-C Ranch Craft Beef, a recognized name in Texas agriculture. He is the Brazoria County Commissioner for Precinct 2, currently in his final term after 12 years of service. Ryan has been recognized as “Volunteer of the Year” by the Angleton Chamber of Commerce and “Young Philanthropist of the Year” by the Community Foundation of Brazoria County, and he continues to serve on numerous local boards and committees.
Danny May
May has been farming for more than 60 years, beginning with just 75 acres in Calhoun County. A strong supporter of AgriLife Extension, he has generously provided land for research plots and field trials for many years. He is always willing to test new ideas, share information with fellow producers and support educational efforts within the community. May works closely with the integrated pest management agent, offering valuable knowledge and expertise while volunteering in any capacity. He serves as chairman of the Winter Garden Boll Weevil Steering Committee and the Calhoun County Groundwater District. He was also recognized as a recipient of the prestigious High Cotton Award by Southwest Farm Press and Southern Cotton Growers.
Distinguished Service Awards
NACAA annually presents Distinguished Service Awards to agents in each of the 50 states. Recipients are selected by their district peers based upon outstanding professional growth, program effectiveness, leadership ability, loyalty to Extension work and community involvement.
All Distinguished Service Award recipients were honored at the NACAA annual meeting and professional improvement conference in Denver.
Josh Kouns, Baylor County
Kouns has spent the last 10 years serving as an agriculture and natural resources agent in Baylor County. His major programming efforts have focused on small grains and livestock production. Working closely with AgriLife Extension specialists and program area committees, he provides cutting-edge educational programs and small grain variety trials each year along with coordinating an award-winning, multi-county sheep and goat educational event.
Ryan Merrel, Angelina County
Merrel has been the county agent for 4-H youth development for 18 years in Angelina County. In that time, he has grown the program to have the largest 4-H membership in AgriLife Extension District 5. With over 400 youth members enrolled annually, Merrel’s program is also one of the few counties that still host a four-day summer camp that continues to grow each year with a total participation of 63 members and nine adult leaders.
Lisa Brown, Menard County
Brown has served Menard County for 12 years as the agriculture and natural resources agent. She provides educational leadership in the areas of livestock, wildlife, horticulture and new/small landowners. In addition to 4-H programming, Brown leads multiple curriculum enrichment programs through Menard Independent School District, including LIFE 101, which teaches life skills to 8th graders, and the Learn, Grow, Eat and Go! program.
Zach T. Davis, Hill County
Davis began his career in 2006 serving Johnson County, initially as a 4-H agent and later as the agriculture and natural resources agent. Since 2015, he has filled the same role in Hill County, where he has built an effective, well-rounded AgriLife Extension program with a major emphasis on row crops, beef, forages, horticulture and small landowner education, as well as an extensive applied research and results demonstration program in Hill County.
James Crockett, Edwards County
Crockett has served as county agent in Edwards County for the past 11 years. His programming has emphasized wildlife and range management, sheep and goat production, and 4-H livestock projects. He currently serves as secretary of the Edwards County Fair Association, a local 501(c)(3) that hosts an annual Fourth of July celebration and Professional Bull Riders competition each June, supporting youth, agriculture and community traditions locally.
Marco Ponce, Cameron County
Ponce is the agriculture and natural resources agent and county administrator in Cameron County. He has served Cameron County for 28 years and is responsible for educational programs in cotton, grain sorghum, beef cattle, forages and water conservation as it relates to production agriculture.
Achievement Awards
The Achievement Award is presented annually by NACAA to agents with less than 10 years of service to recognize outstanding professional growth and contributions to Extension programming.
Janelle Duffey, Parmer County
Duffey has worked for AgriLife Extension in Parmer County since 2019 as the county agent serving in the areas of agriculture, 4-H, and community and economic development. As a second-generation AgriLife Extension agent, she is extremely engaged with her dairy producers and 4-H program while striving to improve the lives of county clientele with impactful AgriLife Extension work. Duffey is highly driven and serves as a “go-to” professional by her extension peers.
Mark Carroll, Floyd County
Carroll has been an agriculture and natural resources agent for Floyd County since August 2019. His primary focus has been beef cattle and livestock programs, including hands-on cattle care demonstrations and a monthly livestock radio/podcast program. He also has a strong legacy of 4-H success, helping build the 4-H program to one of the largest in the district. He continues to grow his Floyd County agriculture programs through his outreach.
Savanna Williams, Young County
Williams has served as the agriculture and natural resources agent in Young County for seven years, with major programming efforts focused on small grains and livestock production. Working closely with AgriLife Extension specialists and program area committees, she hosts educational programs, small grain variety trials and coordinates a multi-county beef production educational series. Williams also provides youth programming through the local school system and 4-H clubs.
Steven Baringer, Denton County
Baringer has served as the AgriLife Extension agent for 4-H youth development in Denton County since 2021. He leads countywide 4-H programming with a focus on youth leadership, volunteer management and agricultural literacy. Baringer oversees the County Ambassador program and supports members at the county, district and state levels. He is an active TCAAA member and served as co-chair of the Youth Tours Committee for the 2024 NACAA conference.
Matthew Pfeifer, Grimes County
Pfeifer began his career with AgriLife Extension as a Disaster Assessment and Recovery agent. He then spent one and a half years deployed in response to COVID-19. In 2021, he transitioned to 4-H, becoming the Brazos County 4-H youth development agent, where he led over 700 4-H members. In early 2025, he became the agriculture and natural resources agent for Grimes County and developed programs for landowners while overseeing the county’s 4-H program.
Brandi Keller, Galveston County
Keller began her AgriLife Extension career in 2021 as a residential horticulture agent while managing the Harris County Master Gardeners. In a large urban county, she delivered programs including online classes, library series and insect identification. She is now the coastal and marine resources agent in Galveston County, advising Texas Master Naturalists, educating on fisheries and coastal resilience, and coordinating the Texas competition of the National Ocean Science Bowl.
TCAAA Specialists of the Year
Sonja Swiger, Ph.D.
Swiger, AgriLife Extension entomologist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Stephenville and professor in the Department of Entomology, has almost 18 years’ experience in livestock and medical entomology with the agency. She serves on the Texas A&M AgriLife New World Screwworm Task Force and has delivered 177 presentations on New World screwworm to livestock producers in the past year. Swiger has developed educational materials and programs to better educate and serve Texans regarding the New World screwworm, mosquito and tick-borne diseases, and other ectoparasites of livestock. To date, she has given 1,200 program presentations on ectoparasites of livestock, mosquito control and insect management; conducted over 100 professional presentations, and published 33 AgriLife Extension publications and 12 peer-reviewed journal articles. She has been quoted or interviewed over 500 times for newspaper and magazine articles and conducted over 50 TV/radio interviews.
Reagan Noland, Ph.D.
Noland, AgriLife Extension agronomist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at San Angelo and assistant professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, has made a lasting impact on agriculture across Texas. Known for his collaborative leadership style, Noland works closely with county agents to strengthen local AgriLife Extension programs through educational trainings, program development, field demonstrations and producer outreach. He has also mentored new and experienced agents, helping build confidence and foster professional growth. Respected for his integrity, humility and servant leadership, Noland exemplifies the mission and values of AgriLife Extension. His commitment to supporting county agents has positively impacted producers, families and rural communities throughout Texas.
TCAAA Early Career Awards
The TCAAA recognized professional excellence for agriculture and natural resources agents with less than five years of service with Early Career Awards.
This year’s recipients are:
- Hannah Sell, Roberts County.
- Brandon Albus, Lamb County.
- Kortney Kulhanek, formerly Archer County.
- Jaci Eaves, formerly Lamar County.
- Colton Brown, San Augustine County.
- Olga Rodriguez, Culberson County.
- Tamra Kott, Llano County.
- Josh Evans, Milam County.
- Kimberly Mayer, Brazoria County.
- Brock Sanford, Galveston County.
- Savannah Bushkuhl, Hays County.
- Hailey Hayes, Calhoun County.
- Jeff Hester, Webb County.
Texas Commodity Awards
The following County Extension Agent Commodity Awards were presented:
- Beef Cattle by Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers – Marcel Fischbacher, Moore County.
- Cattle Feed Lot by Texas Cattle Feeders Association – Megan Eikner, Potter County.
- Corn by Texas Corn Producers – Corrie Bowen, Wharton County.
- State Cotton by Texas Cotton Producers – Marty Vahlenkamp, Runnels County.
- Grain Sorghum by Texas Grain Sorghum – Jaime Lopez, Nueces County.
- Greens Industry Partnership by Texas Turfgrass Association, Turfgrass Producers of Texas, and Texas Nursery and Landscape Association – Laura Miller, Tarrant County.
- Risk Management by Capital Farm Credit – Steve Estes, Taylor County.
- Specialty Crops by Texas Farm Bureau – J.D. Ragland, Ph.D., Randall County.
- Wheat by Texas Wheat Producers – Kristie Keys, Castro County.
- Bees by Texas Beekeepers Association – Shaniqua Davis, Gregg County.
- High Plains Cotton Agent of the Year Award, sponsored by the Plains Cotton Growers Association – Mark Carroll, Floyd County.
Agent Advance Degree Scholarships
Kimberly Mayer, Brazoria County, received a $1,500 agent advance degree scholarship.
Photos of all winners can be found online.
