The 2021 Award for Outstanding Specialist went to Dr. Deidre Harmon.

Dr. Harmon is a Livestock Extension Specialist housed in Western North Carolina at the Mountain Research Station.  Her programs focus on management strategies for pasture-based livestock systems. In 2019 Dr. Harmon attended over 50 events across the state in 2019 and pivoted to virtual programming and education in 2020. She serves on several committees, including the Forage and Beef Workgroups, Beef Cattle Improvement Program, Mountain Cattle Alliance Steering Committee, WNC Beef Cattle Commission, and Amazing Grazing. She was instrumental in the organization and delivery of the 2020 Virtual Livestock Agent Training and the Animal Agriculture Agent Fall Webinar Series. These activities are on top of her research which takes place at four different research stations across the state. Some of her research projects include the establishment and management of cool season annual grasses, the use of nurse crops to establish perennials, crabgrass variety trail, fescue variety trial, and feeding brewery byproducts to cattle.

As put in her nomination letter, “Dr. Harmon works diligently to deliver on her promises to agents and producers. Her work ethic and dedication are unparalleled. She welcomes new faculty members and agents and ensures that they have access to the information they need to be successful in their careers.”

Congrats Dr. Harmon!