Awards & Contests
All current VAAEA members are eligible for participation in the numerous awards and recognition programs conducted by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA). Many of the professional improvement awards are in the form of special pre-conference trips and seminars, conducted in conjunction with the NACAA Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference (AMPIC).
Other awards include the Annual Communications Awards Program, which recognizes agents for excellence in several communications categories, such as newsletters, fact sheets, and program publicity pieces.
The most prestigious awards offered by VAAEA/NACAA are the Achievement Awards, Distinguished Service Awards, and the Wall of Fame (Virginia only).
Below you will find a listing of the various professional improvement awards and recognition programs available. Most awards are linked to a specific National and/or State Committee. Contact the appropriate committee chairperson for more information or visit the NACAA awards page for information and applications.
ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
The Achievement Award recognizes agents with less than 10 years of professional experience for excellent service to their extension service and association.
Past Achievement Award Winners
Year Winner(s)
2024 Jeremey Daubert and Sarah Sharpe
2023 Laura Maxey-Nay and Roy Flanagan
2022 Jeannie Layton-Dudding
2021 John Benner and Brittany Council-Morton
2020 Lindy Tucker Fimon and Rachel Henley
2019 Theresa Pittman and Laura Siegle
2018 Amy Fannon and Todd Scott
2017 Stephen Barts and Jennifer Ligon
2016 Neil Clark and Pete Callan
2015 Janet Spencer
2014 Lisa Sanderson and Kevin Camm
2013 Michael Andruczyk and John Thompson
2012 Wythe Morris
2011 Jamie Stowe
2010 Melanie Barrow and Scott Jerrell
2009 Joyce Latimer and Brad Mullins
2008 Bruce Jones and Glenn Slade
2007 Adria Bordas and Matt Lewis
2006 Sue Puffenbarger and Taylor Clarke
2005 Scott Baker and Andy Overbay
2004 Dr. Scott Greiner and Mike Roberts
2003 J.B. Daniel and Dan Goerlich
2002 Cynthia Gregg and Donna Tuckey
2001 Scott Jessee and Jennifer Morris
2000 Regina Prunty
1999 David Moore
1998 Brad Jarvis and Steve Hopkins
1997 Bill Dimock
1996 Corey Childs and James Harris
1995 Karen Carter and Garry Larrowe
1994 Keith Balderson and Philip Blevins
1993 Robert L. Jones and Joseph R. Hunnings
1992 Harold L. Jerrell
1991 Paul Davis
1990 Neal T. Vines
1989 Lanny Hass
1988 James Maitland
Responsible committee: Recognition and Awards
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
The Distinguished Service Award recognizes agents with more than 10 years of professional experience for excellent service to their extension service and association.
Past Distinguished Service Award Winners
Year Winner(s)
2024 Stephanie Romelczyk and Amy Fannon Byington
2023 Scott Jerrell and Neil Clark
2022 Brad Mullins
2021 John Blankenship and Jason Fisher
2020 Melanie Barrow and Matthew Miller
2019 Tim Mize
2018 Bobby Clark and Scott Greiner
2017 Joyce Latimer
2016 Adam Downing and Glenn Slade
2015 Watson Lawrence and Scott Reiter
2014 Taylor Clarke and Bruce Jones
2013 Scott Baker and Andy Overbay
2012 Jon Vest
2011 Scott Jessee and Mike Parrish
2010 David Moore and Rodney Leech
2009 Corey Childs and Jon Repair
2008 Don Davis and Cynthia Gregg
2007 Jim Belote, Dee Whittier and Bill Whittle
2006 Karen Carter, Regina Prunty and Cal Schiemann
2005 Bill Seay and Carl Stafford
2004 Brad Jarvis and Kelly Liddington
2003 Eric Eberly and Steve Hopkins
2002 Paul Davis and Keith Balderson
2001 Charles Conner and Phil Blevins
2000 Fred Diem and Suzan Craik
1999 Ray Simms, Jim Orband and Steve Umberger
1998 Gary Hornbaker and Randy Shank
1997 Tom Covey and Ed Overton
1996 Charlie Curry and Bill McKinnon
1995 Lance Kauf, Jerry Swisher and Spencer Tinsley
1994 Sam Johnson, Alvin Thomas and Harlan White
1993 Michael L. Henry and James E. Riddell
1992 James T. Dunford, A. L. "Ike" Eller, Jr. and Richard C. White
1991 Jim Myers, Richard Nunnally and Harold Roller
1990 James R. Grove, David R. Danner and William H. Harrison
1989 Gary Deoms, Ernest Craun and Russel Leslie
1988 Gary Dingus, Clifton Davis and Bob Coggsdale
1985 Larry McPeters
1984 Frank Smith
Responsible committee: Recognition and Awards
VAAEA WALL OF FAME
The VAAEA Wall of Fame was created in 1999 to recognize Virginia Cooperative Extension professionals for "outstanding contributions to Virginia agriculture and meritorious service to Virginia Cooperative Extension." Each year one retiree and one current employee are recognized. Nominations are taken from the current VAAEA membership and winners are selected by an appointed committee.
Past VAAEA Wall of Fame Honorees
Year Honorees
2023 Dee Whittier and Mike Parrish
2022 Taylor Clark and Edward “Ned” Conklin
2021 Scott Baker and Eric Eberly
2020 Watson Lawrence and David Moore
2019 Gary Hornbaker, Retiree, and Andy Overbay, Active
2018 Glenn Slade, Retiree, and Corey Childs, Active
2017 Jon Repair, Retiree and Carl Stafford, Active
2016 Johns Bailey (Powhatan County), Retiree and Cynthia Gregg, Active
2015 Allen Strecker, Retiree and Keith Balderson, Active
2014 Harlan White, Retiree (posthumously) and Rodney Leech, Active
2013 Bob Tudor, Retiree (posthumously) and Karen Carter, active
2012 Bob Pilch, Retiree and Phil Blevins, active
2011 Dr. Steve Umberger & Dr. Bill McKinnon, retirees and Steve Hopkins, active
2010 Lowell Gobble and Kelly Liddington
2009 Mike Henry and Regina Prunty
2008 David Danner and Brad Jarvis
2006 Alvin Thomas, retiree and Jim Orband, active
2005 Fred Diem, retiree and Jimmy Osborne, active
2004 Charlie Curry, retiree and Sam Johnson, active
2003 Jim Smith, retiree and Tom Covey, active
2002 Roy Heltzel, retiree and Jim Riddell, active
2001 Dick Cockrell, retiree and Jack Dunford, active
2000 Larry Blair, retiree and Dick White, active
1999 Delbert O'Meara, retiree and Jim Myers, active
Responsible committee: Wall of Fame (appointed by President)
COMMUNICATIONS AWARDS
The purpose of the NACAA Communications Awards program is "To recognize NACAA members who excel in communicating programs and ideas to their clientele." Entries are received and judged by the Virginia Communications Committee and State winners are selected. All entries are then submitted to the regional chairs for consideration. Agents are responsible for submitting their own materials for competition. Winners are selected at State, Regional and National levels. National finalists receive a cash award, and are expected to attend the National AM/PIC to attend the awards luncheon.
Responsible Committee: Communications
OTHER NATIONAL AWARDS
There are other numerous awards available through the NACAA awards program. Most are closely tied with the Annual Meetings and Professional Improvement Conference and consist of special workshops, seminars, opportunities to present, and poster sessions.