| Dave Phillips, MSU Extension Central Region Department Head, was one of the first four people to be honored with the newly established National Association of County Agricultural Agents Hall of Fame award. Recipients from each of four NACAA regions were selected based on their commitment, dedication and effective leadership as outstanding educators; on their involvement in the association at state and national levels and on their humanitarian activities and leadership outside of Extension programming. Phillips served as MSU Extension Agriculture Agent for eight years in Yellowstone County, for 22 years in Fergus County and currently serves as department head for MSU Extension offices throughout central Montana.In Fergus County Phillips focused on total integrated farm and resource management, including beef cattle, sheep and wool production, range resource management, integrated pest management, small grain and forage production, farm/ranch financial management and agricultural marketing and value added enterprises. Some of Phillips' accomplishment there included forming three marketing clubs, establishing a Range and Pasture Management Group, using SARE grants to evaluate grazing forage species and brush control methods and helping more than 70 families through an intensive Western Integrated Ranch Education program. His 4-H and youth programs emphasized developing teens and volunteers to become community leaders. Throughout his career, Phillips has served extensively in NACAA leadership roles, including President in 1990. He continues to serve on the NACAA Policy Committee. Phillips also serves on the Central Montana Fair Board, the governing board for the Central Montana Medical Center, board of directors for educational opportunities and as a volunteer for Hospice of Central Montana. He and his wife serve on the marriage preparation team for their church and in the past, Phillips served as chair of the school board and president of the Lewistown Chamber of Commerce. Comments about Phillips gathered in a press release from the NACAA Hall of Fame committee included, "He is a tireless worker and his involvement in various activities helped make our community a better place," and "When Dave Phillips speaks, people listen." The award was presented in July at the 91st Annual NACAA Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Dave Phillips, MSU Extension Central Region Department Head
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