New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service members were recognized with national and regional awards during the 2025 National Association of County Agricultural Agents Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference held June 29 to July 2 in Billings, Montana.
Savannah Daniels, Hidalgo County Extension program director and president of the New Mexico Association of County Agricultural Agents, was named the national achievement award winner. Jason Lamb, Quay County Extension program director, received the distinguished service award. Susann Mikkelson, Guadalupe County Extension agent, was a national finalist for the event promotional package award, and Will Jaremko-Wright, Taos County Extension agent, was a finalist for personal column.
“It is an absolute honor to be recognized on a national level and represent New Mexico. I feel very privileged to stand among other early-career county agents across the country,” Daniels said.
The event gathered Extension professionals from across the country for networking, professional development and recognition of outstanding work in agricultural education and outreach. Daniels, Lamb, Jaremko-Wright, Mikkelson and Pilja Vitale, statewide agent for Extension economics, attended the conference, showcasing programs and initiatives from New Mexico.
“It is pretty awesome that we can present to other Extension professionals around the country about what programs we are hosting here in our communities,” Daniels said. “I know that I had over 50 professionals who chose to come watch my presentation, and it led to great conversations and potential collaborations.”
Daniels presented “Innovating cattle reproduction: empowering producers with AI and pregnancy diagnosis,” while Vitale presented “Virtual fencing as a cost-effective alternative for New Mexico ranchers.”
Regional awards highlighted the breadth of Extension work across New Mexico. Jaremko-Wright earned a regional award for computer-generated presentation with script, while Mikkelson was recognized for a fact sheet and a feature story. Jason Turner, Extension horse specialist, was honored for a publication.
At the state level, awards went to projects and programs in 4-H, livestock production, sustainable agriculture and online content, with recognition for team efforts by county program directors and Extension agents Drew Garnett, Teresa Dean, Emily Bruton, Sara Marta, Jack Blandford, Tracy Drummond, Sidney Gordon, Steve Lucero, Talisha Valdez and Melanie Gutierrez. Additional honorees included Allen Malone, associate director; Yvette Navarro, web developer; Patrick Kircher, Eastern District director; Craig Gifford, associate professor; and Marcy Ward, Extension livestock specialist.
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CUTLINE: New Mexico State University Hidalgo County Cooperative Extension Service Program Director Savannah Daniels, center, was recognized as the national achievement award winner at the National Association of County Agricultural Agents Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference. Past NACAA President Scott Jensen, left, presented to the award to Daniels, who was accompanied by her husband, Trey Daniels. (Courtesy photo)
CUTLINE: New Mexico State University Quay County Cooperative Extension Service Program Director Jason Lamb, left, accepted the distinguished service award from past NACAA President Scott Jensen at the National Association of County Agricultural Agents Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference. (Courtesy photo)