John Sharp, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, is the recipient of the 2024 “Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture” award, presented by the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association, TCAAA.
Sharp received the honor during the association’s abbreviated state meeting, held at the conclusion of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s recent staff conference. The association’s state meeting was unique this year because Texas hosted the National Association of County Agricultural Agents meeting July 14-19.
“This year, our board of directors voted to give only one award,” said Tommy Phillips, TCAAA president and AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Kaufman County.
“Chancellor Sharp has been a true friend to agents in the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service as well as to TCAAA. We wanted to recognize him for all his efforts in supporting our state’s agricultural economy, our state agency, and our association of ag agents at both the state and national levels. His leadership stands apart, and it was only fitting that we honor him as this year’s sole award recipient.”
Chancellor Sharp’s agricultural agent support
During his professional career in the Texas Legislature and other statewide offices, Sharp has maintained a strong relationship with AgriLife Extension agents and agency leaders around Texas.
Serving as chancellor of The Texas A&M University System since 2011, Sharp recently announced he would retire in 2025.
“It is truly an honor to receive this recognition,” Sharp said. “Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has been asked to do so much in the past several years, and I am pleased that the Legislature has recognized the value of the people who make up one of the greatest organizations in Texas.”
Through his work leading one of the largest higher education systems in the country, Sharp has provided key leadership to the growth of AgriLife Extension as part of the Keeping Texas Prepared statewide emergency management initiative in the 88th Texas Legislative Session. This initiative has benefited the entire agency by elevating the work of agricultural agents and AgriLife Extension educators to serve our state’s producers, stakeholders and communities.
Sharp was the opening keynote speaker in July when AgriLife Extension agricultural agents hosted the National Association of County Agricultural Agents annual convention in Dallas. He addressed over 800 agricultural agents from every U.S. state and commended the agents for their work in community education and agricultural production.
This national association is geared toward Extension educators and other professionals who work in agriculture and related disciplines to build interstate networking and to provide professional development.
Sharp encouraged conference attendees to recognize their leadership roles as Extension agents within their communities, highlighting their unique opportunities to be trusted resources for local and state leaders.
Man of the Year in Agriculture award
TCAAA started the awards program in 1962 to recognize individuals who exhibit outstanding leadership in agriculture, agribusiness and educational program support of AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources county agents across the state.
Traditionally, one award per eligible district plus the annual meeting host district recognizes Man/Woman of the Year Award recipients for a total of seven awards. The district hosting the annual meeting may select two recipients if it desires, Phillips said.
