Texas Sheep, Goat Raisers honor AgriLife Extension professionals

Texas Sheep, Goat Raisers honor AgriLife Extension professionals

KERRVILLE – Four Texas AgriLife Extension Service professionals were honored by the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association during its 95th annual convention in Kerrville earlier this month.

Steve Byrns of San Angelo was given the Outstanding News Reporting Award and Dr. Allan McGinty, also from San Angelo, was presented a Special Achievement Award. Kristy Powell of Mason was named Outstanding County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences and Michael Palmer of Paint Rock was named Outstanding County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Byrns, news editor and AgriLife Extension communications specialist, is a native of Fort Monroe, Va. and graduate of San Angelo Central High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1978 and a master’s degree in animal science in 1982, both from Angelo State University.

After a stint at the San Angelo Standard-Times, he joined AgriLife Extension in July of 1982. Byrns handles news and media relations for AgriLife Extension and Texas AgriLife Research endeavors in 70 counties of West Central, Far West, South Plains and Southwest Texas. He assists in developing and marketing key programs and projects across the area as liaison between Texas A&M AgriLife and the media.

Powell, AgriLife Extension agent for both Mason and Menard counties, grew up on a ranch in New Mexico where she was in 4-H. She attended New Mexico State University, earning degrees in elementary education and family and consumer science education. Powell started her career as the family and consumer science agent in Hartley County. She also has held that position in Castro and Comanche counties.

Palmer, AgriLife Extension agent for Concho County since 2000, was raised in Clyde and graduated from Clyde High School. He received a bachelor of science in agricultural services and development from Tarleton State University in 1997 and a master of science in agricultural science from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2002. He began his career with AgriLife Extension in 1997 as the assistant county agent for agriculture and natural resources in Wilson County.

McGinty, AgriLife Extension range specialist, was honored for his efforts in rangeland ecology and management. Born in Oak Hill, McGinty graduated from Crockett High School near Austin. Following duty with the Texas National Guard, he received his bachelor of science degree in agriculture and soil science from Southwest Texas State University in 1974, a master of science degree in 1976, and a doctoral degree in 1979, both in rangeland ecology and management and from Texas A&M University.

McGinty began his AgriLife Extension career in Ft. Stockton, where he worked for 15 years with ranchers in the Trans-Pecos region. He has been the range specialist in San Angelo for 30 years.

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