STARKVILLE, Miss. -- A Mississippi State University Extension Service forage specialist recently received a national award for his high-quality work and effective program development.

Rocky Lemus was given the distinguished service award from the National Association of County Agriculture Agents, or NACAA, during their 2024 annual conference in Dallas on July 17. NACAA is a nationwide professional organization established for Extension educators, agents and other professionals who work in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and natural resources, 4-H youth development, community development and related disciplines.

The distinguished service award is conferred on members who have worked in Extension for at least 10 years, are held in high esteem by their fellow workers, and have developed and put into practice an outstanding Extension program. Lemus was among the top 2% of the membership selected by their peers.

Lemus is the MSU Extension forage specialist, as well as an Extension and research professor and leader of the MSU Center for Forage Management and Environmental Stewardship.

His research and Extension activities are related to forage production, nutrient management and livestock grazing systems.

He collaborates internationally with the U.S. Agency for International Development in the Farmer-to-Farmer program and has developed international programs in Central and South America. He operates a small dairy of Nubian and LaMancha goats.