Dan Fromme, associate professor and Louisiana state specialist in cotton, corn and grain sorghum, was named Cotton Extension Specialist of the year Jan. 9 during the Beltwide Cotton Conference in Austin, Texas.

The award, sponsored by BASF, was presented to Fromme at the event's annual award dinner and reception, attended by cotton specialists from across the Cotton Belt.

"We're pleased to recognize Dr. Fromme's outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the cotton industry," said Steve Nichols, BASF Global Agronomic Services – Cotton. "His expertise and experience in cotton and agronomy has allowed him to make significant contributions to the cotton growers of Texas, Louisiana and to the cotton industry. His strong leadership and working relationships with producers, consultants and key stakeholders is widely recognized amongst his peers. Dan is extremely deserving of this award. We thank him for his many contributions and wish him continued success in his professional career."

Praises Colleagues

Fromme paid tribute to colleagues and mentors as he accepted the award. "After 41 years, I have a lot of memories working with a lot of good people and receiving the cotton specialist of the year award is quite an honor. I knew quite a few of the 30 winners before me and I have respected them for years. Some have passed away and, many of them taught me so, so very much.

Related:Louisiana cotton acreage to decline in 2020

"When I first started working in cotton, I respected them. I went to them for answers, to get their advice. They were all highly respected throughout the United States. Just being able to receive this award with people I respected for so many years, it's just humbling and quite an honor."

Fromme said he also has been fortunate to have spent his career working with farmers.

"The farmers I've worked with in Texas and now in Louisiana, there's just no better people in any industry you could work with. I've also worked with some tremendous crop consultants in both states. And university people, just too numerous to name, who are dedicated to their jobs. It's all about helping people to help themselves."

Fromme, a Texas native, earned a bachelor's degree in crops from Texas Tech University, a master's in agriculture education from Texas State University and a doctorate in agronomy and crop science from Texas A&M University.

Fromme has been working in the cotton industry for 36 years in Texas and at the Louisiana State University AgCenter in Alexandria, La. Not many days have passed when Fromme hasn't thought about growing cotton, which has led him to the outstanding professional he is today.

Bill Robertson, University of Arkansas cotton specialist, presented the award and noted Fromme's dedication to the cotton industry and to the farmers he's served for 36 years.

Cotton specialists in the 17 states where cotton is grown vote each year on a colleague for the highly esteemed award. The recipient's peers evaluate and select a winner based on a number of considerations, including exceptional leadership and outstanding industry service. The annual award banquet has been a featured event at the Beltwide Cotton Conference since 1984.

BASF, with a portfolio of cotton solutions for growers that includes flagship cotton seed brands FiberMax and Stoneville, recognizes the positive impact third-party research has on sustainability for growers across the Cotton Belt.

"Third-party variety testing to validate variety performance and research to tackle agronomic issues are key to a thriving cotton industry," said Nichols. "Our highly credible Extension cotton specialists provide essential data, research and collaboration our U.S. cotton growers need in making critical decisions."