By Stephanie Schupska
University of
Georgia
University of Georgia entomology professor Phillip Roberts
received the D.W. Brooks Award for Excellence in Extension Oct.
3 in Athens, Ga.
The award, which includes a framed certificate and $5,000, is
given in honor of D.W. Brooks. Founder of Gold Kist Inc. and
Cotton States Mutual Insurance Companies, Brooks was an advisor
on agriculture and trade issues to seven U.S. presidents.
Roberts, who joined the UGA College of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences faculty in 1996, is widely recognized as
one of the nation’s leading cotton entomologists.
As a member of the UGA Cotton Team, he heads one of the
strongest multidisciplinary cotton insect pest management
programs in the United States. His strong multidisciplinary and
interdisciplinary approach provides superior educational
programs to Georgia cotton farmers, county UGA Cooperative
Extension faculty, industry associates and farm consultants.
“He effectively communicates in the middle of a cotton field,
addressing producers and industry reps, or in a formal
scientific meeting with his entomological peers,” said Richey
Seaton, executive director of the Georgia Cotton
Commission. “All of his work boils down to significant savings
for our producers and enhancement of our cotton in Georgia.”
In the Southeast, insect pests are often the most limiting
factor in growing cotton. The depth and breadth of Roberts’
program has helped keep the Georgia cotton industry
economically viable. His role on the UGA cotton team has become
even more important as insect control issues become more
complex due to transgenic crop opportunities and liabilities
and continuing changes in farm practices.
“I believe Phillip Roberts is among the best of the best
specialists in extension, past or present,” said UGA colleague
Scott Brown, UGA Extension coordinator in Colquitt County.
Each year, Roberts conducts many county production meetings,
statewide educational meetings, in-service trainings for county
agents, workshops and consultant meetings. He contributes
significantly to all mission areas of his department, the UGA
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the
Tifton, Ga., UGA campus.
“Dr. Roberts is widely regarded by his peers as perhaps the
most outstanding practicing cotton entomologist in the United
States, having developed a model combination of a broad,
practical, applied research project coupled with a
comprehensive and relevant outreach program,” said Jack
Bacheler of North Carolina.
Other D.W. Brooks honorees this year were Karl Espelie,
teaching; Andrew Patterson, research; and Mary White, public
service extension.
(Stephanie Schupska is a news editor with the University of
Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.)
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