The Maryland Association of County Agricultural Agents has recognized Dr. E. Nelson Escobar as its 2023 Honorary County Agent.
Escobar received the award at a surprise presentation during the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s 20th annual Small Farm Conference’s luncheon in November.
Dr. E. Nelson Escobar, (right) associate dean for UMES Extension and small ruminant extension specialist, accepts the 2023 Honorary Ag Agent award from Sarah Hirsh, president of the Maryland Association of County Agricultural Agents.
Escobar, who has been at UMES since 2009, was nominated by UMES Extension colleagues for “setting an example of tireless service in extension, teaching and research.” He has carried out multiple roles as the associate dean for UMES Extension over the past three years and as a small ruminant extension specialist.
Escobar, who holds graduate degrees from the University of Maryland, College Park, has developed an academic and professional career with small ruminants in Texas and Oklahoma in addition to Maryland. Prior to his UMES post, he was the leader of Langston University’s Extension Goat and Small Farm programs. Escobar also served as the executive director of the USDA Advisory Committee on Small Farms and as a research scientist at the International Dairy Goat Research Center at Prairie View A&M University.
Escobar has been the grant recipient for research and extension activities on the performance of sheep and goats in the management of unwanted vegetation, forage utilization and food safety.
He served two years on the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education’s administrative council and currently holds membership in the American Society of Animal Science, the International Goat Association and the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control.
