The Alabama Farmers Federation honored two Auburn University and Alabama Cooperative Extension System specialists and professors this fall for work tangibly benefitting the state’s $70 billion agriculture industry.

Dr. Ron Smith received the Duncan Award for Excellence in Production Agriculture & Forestry Extension, while Dr. Brenda Ortiz earned the Rittenour Award for Excellence in Production Agriculture & Forestry Research. The honorees, who were nominated by farmers, receive $5,000 and $10,000, respectively.

The federation’s Carla Hornady thanked Smith and Ortiz for their continued commitment to solving real-world agricultural problems.

Ron Smith received the Duncan Award for Excellence in Production Agriculture & Forestry Extension and is pictured with new Extension entomologist Scott Graham, right. 

“Dr. Smith has dedicated his career to helping cotton farmers thrive. His work has spanned major issues, and he has always made himself available to farmers,” said Hornady, the Federation’s Cotton, Soybean and Wheat & Feed Grain Divisions director. “The trust and respect farmers have shown Dr. Ortiz reflects the positive impact her research and Extension work has had on farms across the state. It’s a pleasure to recognize these pioneers.”

Smith has been on the cutting edge of cotton entomology for 48 years, helping generations of farmers identify, understand and manage pests in Alabama’s estimated 15,000 cotton fields. Smith helped keep cotton farmers in business through implementing the Boll Weevil Eradication Program and encouraging adoption of genetically modified cotton.

Ortiz is a professor and Extension specialist in AU’s Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Department. She leads AU’s Precision Agriculture Research and Extension program focused on evaluation, demonstration and training on the use of digital technologies in agriculture. Current efforts concentrate on evaluating and demonstrating technologies such as sensors, controls and telematics for precision irrigation and precision planting.

Find out more about the awards, Smith and Ortiz.