By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
HUNTSVILLE, Ala.—Marcus Garner has becomet he first Alabama A&M University Extension professional to receive the National Association of County Agricultural Agents’ Distinguished Service Award.
Garner, an urban regional Extension agent with more than 23years of service, accepted the honor during the organization’s 111th Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference in Denver.
The award recognizes Extension professionals for exemplary leadership, educational programming, professional development and community service.“
It is an honor to receive the award and to be recognized by my peers,” Garner said. His work focuses on home gardens , lawn maintenance, pest management, pesticide safety, environmental stewardship and sustainable landscaping. Heals ocoordinatesAlabama’sSustainableAgricultureResearchandEducationprogramandtheWaterWheelsmobilelaboratory,whichteacheswaterconservationstatewide.Dr.JenniferWells,associatedirectorofAlabamaExtensionatAAMU,praisedGarner’sabilitytomakecomplexinformationpracticalforyoungpeople,homeownersandcommunityorganizations.AnativeofAliceville,GarnerstudiedornamentalhorticultureatBessemerStateTechnicalCollegebeforeearningabachelor’sdegreeinplantscienceandaMasterofBusinessAdministrationinagribusinessfromAlabamaA&M.ThehonorfollowsGarner’s2023EmergingHorticultureProfessionalAwardfromtheAmericanHorticulturalSociety—anotherfirstforanAAMUExtensionprofessional.GarnersaidExtensionhasallowedhimtoeducatefamiliesandhelpcommunitiesmakeinformeddecisionsthatimprovetheirhomes,gardens,andqualityoflife.