Tom Curtsinger, retired Daviess County Extension agent for agriculture, received this year's Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation's Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award.

During his 22 years with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in Daviess County, Curtsinger became widely known for his educational and promotional work. Today, Daviess County is widely recognized for its progressive farming techniques and regularly plays host to many farming expositions and meetings, many initiated by Curtsinger.

Curtsinger is perhaps best known for developing what today is known as Ag Expo, a trade show and educational seminar that attracts hundreds of farmers each year from western Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois.

"He was always willing to go the extra mile to help one of his farmers," said Danny Ebelhar, Daviess County farmer. "He was always willing to explore new ideas, rather than be one to say it couldn't be done."

Curtsinger, a Graves County native, worked as an assistant agriculture agent in Washington County for eight years before moving to Owensboro.

Over the years, he has been honored with numerous awards including the UK College of Agriculture Distinguished Service Award and his work has been recognized nationally.

His popularity is such that his retirement was a news story across the region and his nomination included dozens of letters of support.

"My name may be on the award but the good people I worked with and the good people that helped me made it possible," he said. "So, it is really an Extension award and I'm glad for them."

Curtsinger is the third person from the UK Cooperative Extension Service to receive the award in 20 years. Gene Brown, retired Union County Extension agent for agriculture, was the recipient in 1997. M.D. "Mac" Whiteker, retired assistant director of the Cooperative Extension Service for Agriculture and Natural Resources, received the honor in 1991.