Siders Named Outstanding Cotton Agent

Writer: Tim W. McAlavy, (806) 746-6101, email: t-mcalavy@tamu.edu

LUBBOCK – Kerry Siders, Extension integrated pest management (IPM) agent for Hockley and Cochran
Counties, recently received the Plains Cotton Growers (PCG) Outstanding Cotton Agent Award.

A native of McAllen, Texas, Siders earned a bachelor’s degree in crop and soil science from Texas A&I
University in Kingsville in 1987, and a master’s degree in crops-weed science from Texas Tech University
in 1989.

He began his Extension career in 1990 as an IPM agent serving Castro and Lamb Counties. From 1993 to
1996, he served as county Extension agent-agriculture; first in Floyd County and then in Terry County. In
October, 1996, Siders was named IPM agent for Hockley and Cochran Counties.

Kerry Siders
Plains Cotton Growers Cotton Agent of the Year

The goal of the two-county IPM program Siders coordinates is scouting cotton for destructive insect pests
and helping establish a good base of crop consultants to serve producers.

The PCG bestows this plaque each year at its annual spring meeting to recognize exemplary service to
South Plains cotton producers. The award is alternately given to an Extension agriculture agent or IPM
agent, based on the results of a peer ballot.

“Kerry Siders consistently earns the respect of his colleagues and South Plains producers. His expertise
and dedication to agriculture are apparent in his excellent work,” said Jett Major, Extension district
director-agriculture based in Lubbock. “This award is a fitting tribute to his expertise and his dedication in
delivering high quality educational programs and relevant applied research that benefits sustainable
agriculture in Hockley and Cochran Counties.”

Siders is a past recipient of the Texas Pest Management Association’s (TPMA) excellence in IPM award
and its outstanding specialist award (1998). Both accolades recognize outstanding service and dedication to
the Texas IPM Program.

The Texas IPM Program is a cooperative effort between Texas A&M University and the
grower-managed TPMA. It is designed to help crop producers across the state adopt cultural pest control
methods that are safe, efficient, technically sound and environmentally friendly.