News Release

MADISON, WI, SEPTEMBER 7, 2010 – The American Society of Agronomy (ASA) will recognize the following individuals at the 2010 Awards Ceremony on Nov. 2 during the scientific society’s Annual Meeting in Long Beach, CA, www.acsmeetings.org. The annual awards are presented for outstanding contributions to agronomy through education, national and international service, and research. 

• Alan Blaylock, Agrium Advanced Technologies – Agronomic Industry Award. Alan Blaylock is manager of agronomy at Agrium Advanced Technologies (AAT) of Loveland, CO, a business unit of Agrium Inc. He received a B.S. and M.S. in agronomy from Brigham Young University and a Ph.D. in soil fertility from Iowa State University. Dr. Blaylock manages an international research program on enhancing fertilizer BMPs with controlled-release fertilizers; supports marketing, sales, and product development; and manages AAT agronomists. Blaylock is currently Div. S8 chair and has served as Div. A9 chair and associate editor of Agronomy Journal.

• Daniel Devlin, Kansas State University – Agronomic Extension Education Award. Daniel Devlin is a professor and extension specialist in the Department of Agronomy at Kansas State University. Dr. Devlin received a B.S. and M.S. from Kansas State University and Ph.D. from Washington State University. His extension and research programs focus on developing and implementing water quality extension programs, particularly related to nutrient and pesticide management and on watershed planning. Devlin served as an associate editor of the Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education.

• Julie DeMeester - Congressional Science Fellowship. Fellow Julie DeMeester works for Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), with a focus on climate change, environment, and agriculture. Dr. DeMeester received a B.S. in integrated science and technology from James Madison University in 2001. She then went on to receive a Ph.D. in environmental science at Duke University in 2003, where she investigated wetlands, invasives, and nitrogen cycling. DeMeester now aspires to convey science to non-technical audiences, becoming an effective intermediary between scientists, policy-makers and the public on environmental issues.

• Ralph E. Franklin, (deceased) Clemson University – International Certified Crop Adviser of the Year Award and Fredrick F. Vocasek, Servi-Tech Laboratories International Certified Crop Adviser of the Year Award. Ralph E. Franklin was professor of crop and soil environmental science at Clemson University. Dr. Franklin received B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Arkansas and a Ph.D. from Ohio State University. He managed the Certified Crop Adviser Program in South Carolina, and was involved in the Certified Crop Adviser Program throughout his career. Fred Vocasek is a senior lab agronomist and Environmental Division Lab Manager for Servi-Tech Laboratories in Dodge City, KS. He was the 2006 Chairman of the International Certified Crop Adviser Board.

• Richard Ferguson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Werner L. Nelson Award for Diagnosis of Yield-Limiting Factors. Richard Ferguson is a professor of soil science and extension soils specialist in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska. Dr. Ferguson received a B.S. from Friends University, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Kansas State University. His research, extension and teaching programs focus mainly on site-specific crop management. Ferguson serves as an associate editor of the Journal of Precision Agriculture, and has been active in the American Society of Agronomy and Soil Science Society of America.

• Man M. Kohli, CAPECO – International Service in Agronomy Award. Man M. Kohli is a senior consultant to Wheat Research and Development Programs in Argentina and Paraguay. After receiving a Ph.D from Indian Agricultural Research Institute in 1970 he joined the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico. During 1978–2003, Dr. Kohli served as regional representative and wheat breeder in the Southern Cone of South America. His program has focused to enhance the potential of cereal based production systems and human resource development opportunities through collaborative networking.

• Ian Pepper, University of Arizona – Environmental Quality Research Award. Ian Pepper is a professor and environmental microbiologist in the Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science at The University of Arizona. He received a B.S. from the University of Birmingham in England, and M.S. and Ph.D. from Ohio State University. Dr. Pepper’s program focuses mainly on potable water quality and the fate of pathogens in soil, water and municipal wastes. He has also evaluated the sustainability of long term land application of municipal biosolids. He has served as a member of the editorial boards of Applied and Environmental Microbiology, and the Journal of Residuals Science and Technology.

• Rob Rhykerd, Illinois State University – Agronomic Resident Education Award. Rob Rhykerd is a professor of soil science and serves as the chair of the Department of Agriculture at Illinois State University. He received a B.S. and M.S. from Purdue University and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. His research program focuses on soil remediation, international agronomy, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. He is the Editor for the Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education, served as Division Chair for Resident Education, and has served on many committees promoting student leadership.

• Lee Sommers, Colorado State University – Agronomic Service Award. Lee Sommers is Associate Dean in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station at Colorado State University. He received a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and M.S. and Ph.D. in soil science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Responsibilities include leadership and oversight for agricultural research programs in 15 academic departments and at 8 off-campus research centers. He has served as President of SSSA and ASA, Chair of ASF, and co-chair of 2006 Soils World Congress.

• Jianming Yu, Kansas State University – ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Early Career Professional Award. Jianming Yu is an associate professor in the Agronomy Department at Kansas State University. Dr. Yu received a B.S. from Northwestern Agricultural University, M.S. degree from Kansas State University, and Ph.D. from University of Minnesota. His program focuses on developing novel methods of utilizing cutting-edge genetic and genomic tools for complex trait dissection and plant breeding. Yu served as associate editor for Crop Science and Theoretical and Applied Genetics.