From left, Kevin Howell, N.C. State University's assistant to the chancellor for external affairs, and Jim Smith, chairman of the N.C. Agricultural Foundation, present Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler with a Distinguished Service Award. / Photo: N.C. State University
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is one of two recipients of 2011 Distinguished Service Awards given by the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation at N.C. State University. State Sen. David Rouzer also received the award this year.
The awards are given annually to individuals who provide outstanding support to N.C. State University and the university’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Troxler and Rouzer were recognized for providing “great leadership and advocacy on behalf of our citizens, agriculture and higher education in North Carolina,” said Dr. Johnny Wynne, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences dean, who hosted a presentation event. Assisting Wynne in making the presentations were Jim Smith, chairman of the N.C. Agricultural Foundation; Kevin Howell, N.C. State assistant to the chancellor for external affairs; and Chris Wessel, director of donor services and departmental fundraising for College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Advancement.
Commissioner Troxler is a 1974 graduate of N.C. State with a degree in conservation. Since taking office as commissioner of agriculture in 2005, he has focused on developing new markets for N.C. farm products, preserving farms and protecting the state’s food supply.
Troxler has also been a partner with and advocate for the college and N.C. State: He serves on the boards of the N.C. Agricultural, Dairy and Tobacco foundations, and he has recently served as featured speaker for a series of classes for College of Agriculture and Life Sciences students. Under his leadership, the NCDA&CS collects funds for the Nickels for Know-How program, which generates money to support college research, extension and academic programs. NCDA&CS and the college also jointly manage agricultural research stations across the state.