CABNR named NDA director “Outstanding Agriculturalist of the Year”

The University of Nevada, Reno College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources (CABNR) named Jim Barbee, Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) director, 2016 Outstanding Agriculturist of the Year. Barbee was honored April 27 at CABNR’s annual awards ceremony and reception, along with outstanding students and accomplished faculty and staff.

“It is with great pleasure that we recognize Director Barbee as outstanding agriculturalist of the year. Jim has shown remarkable leadership in the state, which has benefited agricultural producers, manufacturers, and educators,” Bill Payne, dean and director of CABNR, said. “His vision and its implementation have strengthened the agency, increased the health and nutrition of children and served to expand the agency’s ability to promote and protect agriculture in Nevada.”

Barbee has served the agriculture industry his entire career, and has led the NDA as director since 2011, sharing his vision for service, leadership and innovative thinking department-wide.

“CABNR is responsible for developing future agriculturists in Nevada, and I am honored to receive this recognition on behalf of the truly dedicated team we have at the NDA,” Barbee said. “We are grateful to be a part of ‘Team Ag,’ working right along side the University, industry and citizens we serve.”

Initiated in 1967, the Outstanding Agriculturalist Award recognizes individuals who play a significant role in the advancement of agriculture in Nevada. Recent recipients include David Peri, president of Peri & Sons Farms, in 2015, and Dennis Hellwinkel, executive vice president of the Nevada Farm Bureau.

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) promotes a business climate that is fair, economically viable and encourages a sustainable environment that serves to protect food, fiber and human health and safety through effective service and education. NDA includes the divisions of Administration, Animal Industry, Consumer Equitability, Food and Nutrition and Plant Industry.

Nevada's land-grant university founded in 1874, the University of Nevada, Reno ranks in the top tier of best national universities by U.S. News and World Report and is steadily growing in enrollment, excellence and reputation. The University serves nearly 21,000 students. Part of the Nevada System of Higher Education, the University is home to the University of Nevada School of Medicine, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station and Wolf Pack Athletics. Through a commitment to world-improving research, student success and outreach benefiting the communities and businesses of Nevada, the University has impact across the state and around the world. For more information, visit www.unr.edu.