Extension Area Specialist
Mark Halcomb retired June 30, 2012 after 26.5 years with the nursery industry in Middle Tennessee and a total of 36.5 years with UT Extension. Mark Halcomb was awarded the 2004 American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA) Nursery Extension Award during the Southern Nursery Association (SNA) tradeshow held in Atlanta. Established in 1982, the ANLA Nursery Extension Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the nursery industry made by an extension specialist or agent in the broad area of commercial production, distribution for retail and landscape uses and marketing of nursery plants to the consumer. The award promotes interest in, and appreciation for, high quality extension efforts benefiting the nursery industry and to show the industry’s gratitude for these efforts.
Halcomb has spent a lifetime of dedicated service to the nursery industry. During college, he worked in landscape maintenance and commercial weed control and his first job out of college was managing an upscale garden center. Following college and two years of military service, he entered graduate school at the University of Tennessee (UT). Today, Halcomb works for the UT Extension Service, where he has been employed for the past 36 years. During his time at UT, Halcomb has produced numerous educational programs, developed publications, regularly publishes an electronic newsletter and has organized many field days, tours, and other educational events.
Through his years of service, Halcomb has gained the respect and admiration of many in the industry. UT Institute of Agriculture Professor Alan S. Windham remarks, “There is no one at any level, in any state that is more dedicated and conscientious about serving the nursery industry than Mr. Halcomb…I admire his work ethic.” Research Horticulturist for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Donna C. Fare agrees. “Mark is one of the most dedicated individuals I have ever worked with. He is committed to helping the smallest nursery person to the largest nursery operation.”