Panhandle Extension staff recognized

Several faculty members at the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center have been recognized for their accomplishments by the Nebraska Cooperative Extension Association and UNL Extension.

Jeff Bradshaw, entomologist, was one of two people recognized as distinguished new Extension employee. Bradshaw has been at the Panhandle Center for two years. He is responsible for developing research and extension programs in integrated pest management of insect pests of field crops and rangeland with a focus of specialty crops of regional importance, including dry edible beans, perennial grasses, sugarbeets, and wheat.

Bradshaw received a Ph.D. in entomology and plant pathology in 2007 from Iowa State University. He received a master’s and bachelor’s degrees in zoology (in 2001 and 1998, respectively) from Southern Illinois University, and an associate in arts and science with a specialization in biology and chemistry in 1996 from Illinois Central College.

Dryland cropping systems specialist Drew Lyon was one of two recognized as distinguished specialists. Lyon has been at the Panhandle Center since 1990. He received a B.S. in agriculture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His research and extension responsibilities include the investigation and development of resource efficient cropping systems for dryland crops that emphasize water management, weed control, and soil conservation.

The award for team programming went to the Nebraska Agricultural Water Management Network, of which Extension Educator Gary Stone and irrigation specialist Dean Yonts are among the members.