The Georgia Cattlemen's Association honored Ted Wynne at the Georgia Association of County Agricultural Agents meeting with the Outstanding County Agent of the Year award.
Wynne is the Agricultural and Natural Resources agent for the Newton County office of the UGA Cooperative Extension program.
Local Cattlemen's Associations may nominate honorees based on their support of the chapter, local beef producers and 4-H youth to further beef education and food production in the community.
Wynne serves as secretary of the Piedmont Cattlemen's Association and has been a member in various counties since 1989.
In his role as county agent, Wynne teaches cattlemen about pest management, weed control and hay quality at regular meetings.
He encourages local producers to apply the lessons through activities including hay testing and the annual Piedmont Cattlemen's Association Hay Contest.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Ted Wynne. He always strives to get people to do better. He takes hay samples, and even last night told me he'd thought of ideas of how I might improve my hay next year," said Woodward, a Piedmont Cattlemen member and recent winner of the Southeastern Hay Contest.
Wynne coordinates Newton County's 4-H Livestock Show Team, which includes beef heifers, beef steers, lambs, goats and hogs.
He visits students on a one-on-one basis to give them the guidance on showmanship skills, record keeping and livestock care each needs, as well as conducts classes on showmanship and record books.
He also coaches and assists with 4-H judging teams, serves in a leadership role with the local livestock show for 4-H and FFA members, assists with the regional 4-H and FFA Lamb Camp and supports the Farm Bureau's Farm Day for Pre-K students.
"Wynne actively works to promote agriculture in our community and state. Through a partnership with other local groups including Hands On Newton, Newton County Farm Bureau, and the Center for Community Preservation and Planning, he has worked tirelessly to increase agricultural opportunities in our area," said the application submitted by the Piedmont Cattlemen's Association.
Wynne also helped establish and continues to work with three community gardens. He taught workshops, solicited $6000 in community donations and coordinated and led 315 volunteers in more than 1,000 work hours to grow vegetables for personal use and for donation to the food pantry. Three hundred pounds of produce were donated so far.
Wynne has actively promoted UGA's laboratory testing services and how they can benefit both farmers and homeowners. In the last year, his office processed 342 soil samples, 61 water samples and 17 bacteria tests.
"He doesn't know everything, but if I call him with a question and he doesn't know the answer, he'll research it until he gets and answer. What I appreciate most, though, is that he's always got time for you. He makes time to help you out," said Charles Woodward.
Wynne also works with the elected officials' farm tour, coordinates the UGA Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Newton County, teaches courses to residents and farmers, and conducts pesticide license courses.
"Whether through his work directly with our chapter, 4-H'ers, homeowners, or producers, Ted Wynne exemplifies the work that Piedmont Cattlemen appreciate in a county agent," said the award nomination.
