March 6, 2010

BLEVINS RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING EXTENSION SERVICE

Abingdon, Virginia – Phil Blevins, an extension agent in Washington County, has been recognized as the Virginia Agribusiness Council’s 2010 Extension Agent Service Award recipient.  Katie Frazier, Vice President- Public Affairs presented the award to Mr. Blevins during the Southwest Virginia Agriculture Association’s annual meeting, and recognized his outstanding accomplishments as a Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent.

Blevins is an Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent and Unit Coordinator in Washington County, a position he has held for seventeen years. Before finding his way to Washington County, Blevins spent two years working as an agriculture agent in Montgomery County.  Blevins, a native of Shady Valley Tennessee, is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in Animal Science.  Throughout his career as an extension agent, Mr. Blevins has worked with local farmers and citizens, focusing efforts on livestock improvement, corn and grains testing plots, and turfgrass research.  Blevins helped to initiate the Southwest Beef Improvement Initiative, which has resulted in approximately $1.2 million in cost-share payments for livestock producers in Lee, Scott, Wise, Dickenson, Russell, Buchanan, Tazewell, Smyth, Grayson, and Washington counties since its inception five years ago.

He has been a leader in local 4-H programs, helping to develop leadership in area youth through coaching stockman, meats judging and skilathon teams to state and national distinction.  Mr. Blevins has been recognized for his outstanding efforts by the Virginia Pork Industry Association, the Virginia Association of Agriculture Extension Agents, Emory & Henry College, and the New River Valley Dairy Club.

During the award presentation Ms. Frazier noted, “Council members have noted that Phil is one of the hardest working agents in Southwest Virginia.  He is an active participant in his community, 4-H and youth development, the livestock industry, and diversified agricultural operations.  Blevins is well respected by those who work with him, and is able to offer a valuable, broad-based perspective on many issues facing agribusinesses today.”  She went on to comment, “We are pleased to recognize him in front of this group of leaders in Southwest Virginia’s agricultural industry in awarding him the 2010 Virginia Agribusiness Council Outstanding Extension Agent award.”

The Virginia Agribusiness Council represents agricultural and forestry producers, suppliers, marketers, processors and commodity associations in the Commonwealth with a unified voice through its government affairs activities. The Council has a combined membership of over 40,000. For more information on the Virginia Agribusiness Council, visit www.va-agribusiness.org.

Photo (left to right): Ms. Katie Kyger Frazier, Vice President-Public Affairs, Virginia Agribusiness Council; Mr. Phil Blevins, Award Recipient, Washington County Extension Agent