UACAA Awards
Distinguished Service Awards
The Distinguished Service Award shall be presented to members who have served at least 10 years as members of the Cooperative Extension Service, who have conducted outstanding programs, are held in high esteem by their fellow workers and are approved by the State Director of Extension. They must be members of their State and National Associations the year that they are selected.
Distinguished Service Award Winners
2024 Andree Walker-Bravo
2023 Josh Dallin
2022 Taun Beddes
2021 JayDee Gunnell
2020 Linden Greenhalgh
2019 Matt Palmer
2018 Justen Smith
2017 Clark Israelsen
2016 Jody Gale
2015 Boyd Kitchen
2014 Kevin Heaton
2013 Kim Chapman
2012 Mike Pace
2023 Josh Dallin
2022 Taun Beddes
2021 JayDee Gunnell
2020 Linden Greenhalgh
2019 Matt Palmer
2018 Justen Smith
2017 Clark Israelsen
2016 Jody Gale
2015 Boyd Kitchen
2014 Kevin Heaton
2013 Kim Chapman
2012 Mike Pace
2011 Chad Reid
2010 Lyle Holmgren
2009Mark Nelson
2008 Troy Cooper
2007 Richard Hefelbower
2006 Jim Keyes
2005 Sterling Banks
2004 Jerry Goodspeed
2003 Jeffrey Banks
2002 Dean Miner
2001 Dennis Worwood
2000 Debbie Amundsen
1999 None
2010 Lyle Holmgren
2009Mark Nelson
2008 Troy Cooper
2007 Richard Hefelbower
2006 Jim Keyes
2005 Sterling Banks
2004 Jerry Goodspeed
2003 Jeffrey Banks
2002 Dean Miner
2001 Dennis Worwood
2000 Debbie Amundsen
1999 None
1998 James Barnhill
1997 Adrian Hinton
1996 Gary Anderson
1995 Shawn Olsen
1994 Larry Sagers
1993 Brent Gledhill
1992 Verl Bagley
1991 Val Warnick
1990 Ross Jacobson
1989 Tom Reeve
1988 Joe Austin
1997 Adrian Hinton
1996 Gary Anderson
1995 Shawn Olsen
1994 Larry Sagers
1993 Brent Gledhill
1992 Verl Bagley
1991 Val Warnick
1990 Ross Jacobson
1989 Tom Reeve
1988 Joe Austin
Achievement Awards
The Achievement Award will be awarded to Agents with less than 10 years of service in Cooperative Extension Service who have exhibited excellence in the field of professional extension. Nominees must be members of the State and National Association the year that they receive the award and have the approval of their State Director of Extension.
Achievement Award Winners
2024 Jake Hadfield
2023 Ben Scow
2022 Reagan Wytsalucy
2021 Steven Price
2020 Sheriden Hansen
2019 Josh Dallin
2018 Mike Caron
2017 Katie Wagner
2016 Britney Hunter
2015 Allan Sulser
2014 Trent Wilde
2013 Taun Beddes
2012 JayDee Gunnell
2023 Ben Scow
2022 Reagan Wytsalucy
2021 Steven Price
2020 Sheriden Hansen
2019 Josh Dallin
2018 Mike Caron
2017 Katie Wagner
2016 Britney Hunter
2015 Allan Sulser
2014 Trent Wilde
2013 Taun Beddes
2012 JayDee Gunnell
2011 Linden Greenhalgh
2010 Ron Patterson
2009 Matt Palmer
2008 Clark Israelsen
2007 None
2006 Michael Johnson
2005 Kevin Heaton
2004 Scott Williams
2003 Michael Pace
2002 Marlon Winger
2001 Boyd Kitchen
2000 Kim Chapman
1999 None
2010 Ron Patterson
2009 Matt Palmer
2008 Clark Israelsen
2007 None
2006 Michael Johnson
2005 Kevin Heaton
2004 Scott Williams
2003 Michael Pace
2002 Marlon Winger
2001 Boyd Kitchen
2000 Kim Chapman
1999 None
1998 Chad Reid
1997 Jerry Goodspeed
1996 Mark Nelson
1995 Dean Miner
1994 James Barnhill
1993 Gary Anderson
1992 Clyde Hurst
1991 Dennis Worwood
1990 Brent Gledhill
1989 Larry Sagers
1988 Shawn Olsen
1997 Jerry Goodspeed
1996 Mark Nelson
1995 Dean Miner
1994 James Barnhill
1993 Gary Anderson
1992 Clyde Hurst
1991 Dennis Worwood
1990 Brent Gledhill
1989 Larry Sagers
1988 Shawn Olsen
Specialist Award
The UACAA Specialist award recognizes a USU Extension Specialist who has demonstrated positive specialist and agent interaction. Agents and specialists share the responsibility for meeting the needs of clients throughout the state of Utah by “Extending the University” in a team effort. Such relationships improve our ability to better serve our clientele and make a greater impact on people’s lives.
Specialist Award Winners
2024 Chad Page
2023 Eric Thacker
2022 Matt Yost
Communications Awards
Audio Recording
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2022 |
Jake Hadfield | |
| 2021 |
Taun Beddes | Regional Winner |
| 2020 | Taun Beddes | National Finalist |
| 2019 | Taun Beddes, Mike Caron | Regional Finalist |
| 2018 | Taun Beddes, Mike Caron | National Finalist |
| 2016 | Mike Caron | National Finalist |
| 2015 | Mike Caron | National Finalist |
| 2012 | Taun Beddes | Regional Winner |
| 2011 | Larry Sagers | Regional Winner |
Bound Book/eBook
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2021 |
Marion Murray | National Finalist |
| 2018 | Katie Wagner, Shawn Olsen | National Winner |
| 2015 | Katie Wagner | National Winner |
| 2013 | Richard Anderson | National Winner |
Computer Generated Graphics Presentation
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2013 | Beth Burritt | Regional Winner |
| 2012 | Jeff Banks | National Finalist |
| 2011 | Rick Heflebower | Regional Winner |
Fact Sheet
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2022 |
Kalen Taylor | National Finalist |
| 2020 | Katie Wagner | Regional Winner |
| 2019 | Michael Caron | National Finalist |
| 2018 | Taun Beddes, Mike Caron, Kelly Kopp, Corey Ransom | |
| 2017 | Ron Patterson, Ricardo Ramirez | |
| 2016 | Mike Caron, Taun Beddes | |
| 2015 | Mike Caron, Ryan Davis | |
| 2014 | Jeff Banks | |
| 2014 | Taun Beddes | |
| 2013 | Ron Patterson, Ricardo Ramirez | |
| 2012 | Stephen Sagers, Ron Patterson | |
| 2011 | Taun Beddes, Dan Drost | National Finalist |
Feature Story
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2018 | Mike Caron | |
| 2013 | Katie Wagner | Regional Winner |
| 2012 | Larry Sagers | Regional Winner |
| 2011 | Larry Sagers | Regional Winner |
Learning Module/Notebook
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2018 | Mike Caron | |
| 2012 | Larry Sagers | National Winner |
| 2011 | Beth Burritt | National Finalist |
Newsletter, Group
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2018 | Helen Muntz, Marta Nielsen, Cynthia Lyman, Jerry Goodspeed, JayDee Gunnell | |
| 2012 | Mark Nelson, Clint Albrecht | Regional Winner |
| 2010 | Mark Nelson, Clint Albrecht | Regional Winner |
Newsletter, Individual
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2021 |
Marion Murray | National Finalist |
| 2011 | Beth Burritt | Regional Winner |
Personal Column
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2018 | Ron Patterson | |
| 2017 | Jeff Banks | Regional Winner |
| 2016 | Jeff Banks | National Finalist |
| 2014 | Jeff Banks | National Finalist |
| 2012 | Larry Sagers | Regional Winner |
| 2011 | Jeff Banks | National Finalist |
| 2011 | Larry Sagers |
Program Promotional Piece
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2019 | Helen Muntz | State Winner |
| 2018 | Ron Patterson | Regional Winner |
| 2017 | Jeff Banks | Regional Winner |
| 2016 | Vernon Parent | Regional Winner |
| 2015 | Jeff Banks | Regional Winner |
| 2014 | Paul Hill | Regional Winner |
| 2013 | Paul Hill | Regional Winner |
| 2012 | Jeff Banks | National Finalist |
| 2011 | Mark Nelson | National Finalist |
| 2010 | Kevin Heaton | Regional Winner |
Publication
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2022 |
Mark Nelson | Regional Winner |
| 2021 |
Mark Nelson | Regional Winner |
| 2020 | Katie Wagner | |
| 2019 | Helen Muntz | Regional Winner |
| 2018 | Mike Caron, Taun Beddes, James Barnhill, Kelly Kopp | |
| 2017 | Jeff Banks | |
| 2016 | Michael Caron | Regional Winner |
| 2015 | JayDee Gunnell | Regional Winner |
| 2014 | Britney Hunter | Regional Winner |
| 2013 | Beth Burritt | Regional Winner |
| 2012 | Larry Sagers | National Finalist |
| 2011 | Taun Beddes, Ryan Davis | Regional Winner |
| 2010 | Chad Reid |
Published Photo & Caption
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2022 |
Trent Wilde | Regional Winner |
| 2021 |
Dallen Smith | Regional Winner |
| 2015 | Jeff Banks | |
| 2012 | Larry Sagers | National Finalist |
| 2011 | Larry Sagers | National Finalist |
Video/TV Presentation
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2018 | Ron Patterson, Dennis Hinkamp | Regional Winner |
| 2017 | Jody Gale, Dennis Hinkamp | National Winner |
| 2016 | Jerry Goodspeed | Regional Winner |
| 2015 | Jeff Banks | National Finalist |
| 2014 | Ron Patterson, Dennis Worwood, Jody Gale, Dennis Hinkamp | National Finalist |
| 2013 | Ron Patterson, Dennis Hinkamp | |
| 2012 | Ron Patterson, Dennis Hinkamp | Regional Winner |
| 2011 | Rick HefleBower | Regional Winner |
Web Site
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2022 |
Cody Zesiger | Regional Winner |
| 2021 |
Sheriden Hansen | Regional Winner |
| 2019 | Helen Muntz | State Winner |
| 2015 | Taun Beddes | Regional Winner |
| 2013 | Beth Burritt | National Winner |
| 2010 | Lyle Holmgren | National Winner |
Program Recognition Council Awards
Search for Excellence--Consumer or Commercial Horticulture
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2012 | Jeff Banks | National Winner |
Search for Excellence--Crop Production
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2012 | Mike Pace |
Search for Excellence--Environmental Quality, Forestry and Natural Resources
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2022 |
Randall Violett | |
| 2021 |
Josh Dallin | |
| 2019 | Kim Chapman | National Finalist |
| 2018 | Josh Dallin |
Search for Excellence--Farm Health and Safety
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2015 | Matt Palmer | National Finalist |
Search for Excellence--Livestock Production
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2020 | Kevin Heaton | National Finalist |
| 2018 | Josh Dallin | |
| 2015 | Kevin Heaton |
Search for Excellence--Remote Sensing and Precision Agriculture
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2011 | Kevin Heaton | National Finalist |
Search for Excellence--Sustainable Agriculture Recognition
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2022 |
Jake Hadfield | |
| 2020 | Mark Nelson | National Finalist |
Search for Excellence--Young, Beginning, or Small Farmers/Ranchers
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2015 | Kim Chapman |
Excellence in 4-H Programming
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2021 |
Mark Nelson | |
| 2018 | Josh Dallin | Regional Winner |
| 2017 | Holly Christley, Linden Greenhalgh | National Winner |
| 2016 | Justen Smith | Regional Winner |
| 2015 | Matt Palmer | Regional Winner |
| 2015 | Allan Sulser | Regional Winner |
| 2014 | Allan Sulser | Regional Winner |
| 2011 | Chad Reid | Regional Winner |
Agriculture Awareness and Appreciation
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2014 | Chad Reid | National Finalist |
| 2012 | Chad Reid | Regional Winner |
Posters
Year |
Category |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2020 | Extension Education | Mark Nelson | |
| 2020 | Applied Research | Cody Zesiger | Finalist |
| 2019 | Extension Education | Joshua Dallin | |
| 2019 | Applied Research | Mark Nelson | Finalist |
SARE/NACAA Fellows Program
Year |
State Winner |
National Level |
| 2019 | Mark Nelson | |
| 2018 | Ron Patterson | |
| 2013 | Matt Palmer | National Winner |
| 2013 | Ron Patterson | |
| 2012 | Matt Palmer | |
| 2012 | Ron Patterson |