Urban Extension Agent Recognized Nationally for More Than 23 Years of Leadership
Garner Becomes First AAMU Extension Professional to Receive NACAA Distinguished Service Award
Urban Regional Extension Agent Marcus Garner has received one of the highest honors presented by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA), becoming the first Alabama A&M University Extension professional to earn the organization’s Distinguished Service Award.
Garner, who has served with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama Extension) at Alabama A&M University for more than 23 years, recently received the award during the 111th Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference in Denver, Colorado.
The award is the latest in a series of national honors for Garner. In 2023, he became the first Alabama A&M Extension professional to receive the American Horticultural Society’s Emerging Horticulture Professional Award, recognizing his contributions to horticulture education and outreach.
The NACAA Distinguished Service Award recognizes Extension professionals with more than 10 years of exemplary service who have demonstrated excellence in educational programming, leadership, professional development and a sustained commitment to the Cooperative Extension mission. Recipients are recognized for developing impactful Extension programs, advancing the profession and making lasting contributions to the communities they serve.
“It is an honor to receive the award and to be recognized by my peers,” said Garner.
Colleagues say Garner’s ability to educate, connect with communities and build lasting relationships has defined his more than two decades of service.
“It was a pleasure to support Marcus as he received this prestigious NACAA award,” said Dr. Jennifer Wells, associate director of Alabama Extension at Alabama A&M University. “His greatest strength is his ability to teach and connect with people. Whether he is educating older adults about container gardening and lawn maintenance, planting trees at The People’s Patch, or teaching youth about water conservation, he makes complex topics easy to understand and apply.”
Dr. Majed El-Dweik, vice president of research and economic development, said Garner’s dedication has earned the respect of colleagues and communities across Alabama.
“I have known Marcus for the past four years and regard him as a trusted agricultural educator and leader,” said El-Dweik. “While his expertise and dedication are widely known, Marcus has built lasting relationships through his genuine commitment to serving stakeholders and communities. It is this commitment to service that earned him the trust and respect of people across the state. The honor from NACAA is a well-deserved milestone in his Extension career, and we are doubly proud that he is a graduate of AAMU.”
A native of Aliceville, Alabama, Garner earned an Associate of Science degree in ornamental horticulture from Bessemer State Technical College before continuing his education at Alabama A&M University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in plant science with a concentration in horticulture. He later earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in agribusiness from Alabama A&M in 2017.
Garner answers questions during a recent Extension workshop at the Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station.
Throughout his career, Garner has specialized in home grounds and gardens, home pest management and lawn maintenance. His programming emphasizes environmental stewardship, sustainable landscape management, pesticide safety and consumer education. Through the years, he has developed strong partnerships with homeowners, community leaders, garden clubs, nurseries, agricultural producers, industry representatives and local organizations throughout Alabama.
In addition to his Extension responsibilities, he serves as the Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) state coordinator, working with Extension professionals, researchers, agricultural educators and producers to promote sustainable agriculture practices, professional development opportunities and research-based educational programming across the state. He also serves as the Water Wheels mobile lab coordinator, traveling statewide to educate communities about water conservation.
“Extension has allowed me to serve communities, educate families, and help people make informed decisions that improve their homes, gardens, and quality of life,” said Garner. “I am grateful to Alabama A&M University, Alabama Extension, and the many partners and communities I have had the opportunity to work with throughout my career.”