"Responding to the Challenges Facing Agriculture" was the theme this week at the Texas Plant Protection Association's 35th conference in Bryan, Texas.

More than 300 producers, researchers, specialists and industry representatives, and students attended the annual event, listening to presentations that ranged from the farm bill and crop insurance to drones to the EPA and water management.

Wednesday, December 6, TPPA held its awards luncheon, recognizing members for their service and leadership to the association and agriculture.

Norman Borlaug Lifetime Achievement

David Kerns, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension entomologist and associate department head and state IPM coordinator, received the association's most prestigious award, the Norman Borlaug Lifetime Achievement Award. TPPA Board Advisor Ron Lacewell said Kerns has been a TPPA leader for years.

"If you notice on the posters, his name is all over them. He is a team player and brings a lot of people to the TPPA meetings."

Kerns told the crowd, "This is a huge honor. Receiving something that's named for Dr. Borlaug is just a tremendous thing, somebody who's done so much for agriculture. He's a great agronomist, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and to be honored with any kind of award in his name is fantastic."

Related:David Kerns receives TPPA's Norman Borlaug award

He thanked TPPA, his students, mentors and colleagues. "It's incredible. A humbling thing for me."

Industry Award

Toby Hlavinka, American Plant Food Corporation president and CEO, received TPPA's Industry Award. Outgoing TPPA President Greg Steele said Toby and his family have been involved in agriculture in the Gulf Coast for many years. A Texas A&M graduate and prior to American Plant Food Corporation, he was Helena's chemicals director. He's served on various industry boards and been a TPPA presenter, attendee and sponsor for many years.

"I'm envious of y'all because you do something I wish I could," he told the crowd. "I was the worst farmer in the world. I farmed for 14 years and had horrible crops. If it wasn't for the agronomists and the soil people who helped me, I don't know that I'd even been able to pull anything out of the field."

He said what makes him proud is seeing younger generations entering the industry. "When I got into this industry in 1982, and interest rates were 16.5%, it was a ghost town. It was horrible. In ag classes, if there were 10 people, that was a full class. So, it's a very different time. I'm so proud of all the young people coming into the industry and I'm looking forward to mentoring y'all."

Related:Crop insurance: Complicated but could save money

The following awards were presented:

Take a look at the slideshow to see who was honored and who will serve as TPPA president in 2024.