2006 Walter Barnard Hill Award
for Distinguished Achievement
in University Public Service & Outreach

T. Brian Tankersley

Brian Tankersley, Tift County Extension Coordinator, is recognized for his leadership and innovation in such areas as economic development, agricultural profitability and sustainability, and youth agricultural awareness programs. He plans and conducts agricultural and natural resources educational programs that present farmers and agribusiness people with the up-to-date research-based information in critical areas identified by needs assessments and evaluations.

Tankersley has played an active leadership role in Tift County’s $127.5 million agricultural industry since 1984. He initiated a peanut growers cooperative to improve the peanut market locally and nationally for Tift County farmers. He coordinated meetings, provided leadership for grants, and served as facilitator and key presenter and liaison with the board of directors. He also provided leadership in securing a $25,000 grant that allowed the Tift Area Peanut Growers Cooperative to begin operations and conduct feasibility studies. That grant has led to a $1,000,000 support grant and loan from the Tift County Development Authority to further develop the project. His Extension team’s research estimates an additional $1.4 million annual impact on the Tift area’s economy. In addition, Tifton Quality Peanuts LLC has been formed and includes more than 140 producers from 15 South Georgia counties. The $17 million shelling and storage facility has been in full operation since September 2005 and is estimated to add an additional $2.1 million annual added value for participating peanut producers.

Tankersley provides effective peanut and cotton educational production training sessions annually for his producers. In a 2002 survey, 97 percent of growers said they would implement the recommendations they received from Tankersley. He worked with the Extension Cotton Entomologist to develop a silver leaf whitefly management protocol. He assisted vegetable farmers in obtaining a $10,000 grant from the local Development Authority to do a feasibility study for a value-added processing facility.

His vision of the future is demonstrated through his contribution to the 4-H Club youth program. In the last seven years, Tankersley raised more than $61,000 through 4-H sponsorships, fundraisers and scholarships and he has also assisted in fundraising efforts which helped in building the $450,000 Tift County Livestock Multipurpose Building. Tankersley has also provided leadership and coached over 50 judging teams in Agricultural related projects for Area and State competitions. Winning team highlights include fourteen State Winning Teams and three National Winning Teams.