MTSU’s retired Farm Laboratories Director Tim Redd, left, receives the Tennessee Dairy Products Association Distinguished Service Award from dairy processors’ President John Harrison Sept. 6 at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. (Photos by MTSU News and Media Relations)

In true Tim Redd fashion, he accepted a statewide dairy recognition in stride.

The Tennessee Dairy Products Association Processors presented Redd, the former MTSU Farm Laboratories director before retiring, with a Distinguished Service Award for his 32 years “of leadership and service to the dairy industry through your work at Middle Tennessee State University.”

The award was presented Sept. 6 during the organization’s annual meeting and dairy judging contest at the Tennessee State Fair in Nashville.

As his wife Debbie and three of his longtime MTSU colleagues sat nearby, the honor was given to Redd, who retired at the end of February.

“This is recognition from industry and your peers,” Redd said. “The real work world recognizes you. What we’re proud of is the students and the careers they’ve been able to develop through our programs and the Tennessee dairy processors.”

Redd and longtime colleague Liz Troup, who oversees the dairy processing unit on campus, combined to name seven alumni who have enjoyed successful careers in the business world.

They include Greg Blankenship, Lauren Johnson, David Redmond, Brandon Kimbrell, Adam Carlton and Kristen Ernest — all in the food industry — and Justin Stefanski, who works for the UT Extension.

Redd praised MTSU “for allowing me to work there for 32 years.”

Dairy farmer/processor and the organization’s president John Harrison of Philadelphia, Tenn., presented Distinguished Service Awards to Redd and Hugh Wilson, who spent 40 years as a Tennessee Department of Agriculture milk grader.

Liz Troup, front, of the MTSU Dairy holds half-gallon of chocolate milk that received the blue ribbon Sept. 6 at the Tennessee State Fair dairy judging competition. Shown with Troup are (from left) Matthew Wade, MTSU Farm Laboratories director; retired farm lab director Tim Redd; School of Agribusiness and Agriscience Director Warren Gill; and Dr. Charles White of Randolph Associates who served as judge in the various competitions.

“It has been great getting to know Tim,” said Harrison, who represents Sweetwater Valley Farms. “It’s wonderful to know somebody who has as much enthusiasm about the university and the dairy program as he does.”

Colleagues Troup, Warren Gill and Matthew Wade said the award was well deserved.

“Tim has worked so hard for MTSU, promoting the university and our students’ development in the program,” Troup said.

“Industry likes the quality of training that they (MTSU students) have received and it’s all because of Tim,” said Gill, the School of Agribusiness and Agriscience director. “Tim would find ways to give our students the practical knowledge to make them job-ready.”

Alumnus Wade said he worked for Redd before leaving MTSU for a period of time, only to return to be Tennessee Livestock Center manager before accepting the role to replace Redd.

“I couldn’t think of somebody more deserving,” Wade said. “He taught me so much when I was in school and even after I got out as a mentor.”

MTSU and Troup’s dairy processing unit received a blue ribbon from judge Charles White in the whole chocolate milk category.

“That’s what we’re best at — whole chocolate milk,” Gill said. “Our recipe goes back a long time. It’s a little more balanced toward the chocolate than sweet.”

John Ricketts visits the alternative fuels exhibit prepared by his father, MTSU professor Cliff Ricketts, in the Agriculture Building at the Tennessee State Fair through Sept. 15. John Ricketts is an associate professor in agriculture education at Tennessee State University.

Also at the state fair, which runs through Sunday, Sept. 15, you can find displays prepared by professors Cliff Ricketts and Nate Phillips in the Agriculture Building. Ricketts has two of his alternative vehicles as the bookends for his exhibit. Phillips’ display promotes “green and growing” plants.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)

MTSU School of Agribusiness and Agriscience Director Warren Gill stands at a university display prepared by assistant professor Nate Phillips in the Agriculture Building at the Tennessee State Fair. The “Green and Growing” display features plants from the MTSU Farm in Lascassas, Tenn., and signage related to a number of agricultural programs.