Dodds Named Extension Cotton Specialist of the Year
January 10, 2014 Dr. Darrin Dodds, associate Extension professor at Mississippi State University, was named 2014 Extension Cotton Specialist of the Year during the Beltwide Cotton Conferences recently held in New Orleans.
The annual award and banquet – sponsored by Bayer CropScience – has been a featured event at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences since 1984. Extension cotton specialists representing every cotton-producing state select a winner annually based on leadership and industry service.
“Darrin Dodds has created a well-deserved name for himself as a leader in the cotton community,” said Steve Nichols, U.S. agronomic manager for Bayer CropScience. “His dedication to delivering relevant information and best management practices to Mississippi cotton producers has provided them with the necessary tools to improve performance and profitability on their farms.”
“The Extension Cotton Specialist of the Year is very special because it is voted on by peers, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving than Darrin for this award,” said Dr. Tom Barber, associate professor and Extension weed scientist at the University of Arkansas and 2012 Extension Cotton Specialist of the Year, in honoring Dodds.
“His work is tremendous. When you have a researcher or an Extension person like him that pours his life into helping others succeed, it is invaluable. It is people like Darrin who give growers, consultants and county agents the information they need to help stay successful in this global cotton environment.”
“Darrin is widely known for organizing excellent meetings that are well attended, regardless of the platform,” added Barber. “The data that is generated from his program and the recommendations he makes to producers help to keep them profitable. That is the reason he is being recognized.”
Originally from Illinois, Dodds received his M.S. in weed science from Purdue University and his Ph.D. from Mississippi State University. He has been on the Mississippi State staff for six years and studies cotton variety performance, management, fertility, plant growth regulator use, irrigation management and weed control. He also coordinates the annual university’s Row Crop Short Course.
“In addition to his accomplishments, Darrin stands out because of the respect everyone has for him,” Barber said. “We all respect Darrin’s opinion because of his work ethic and the quality of research and Extension program he has developed. He does an excellent job in putting the data from projects in a package where it can be utilized by key clientele.”
Source – Bayer CropScience
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