Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black has been recognized as the 2021 National Friend of Extension by Epsilon Sigma Phi for his outstanding support for Extension. Commissioner Black was nominated for the national recognition by the University of Georgia’s Alpha Beta chapter after being selected as the Georgia recipient in 2020.

He was recognized this week during the Epsilon Sigma Phi National Conference, which was held in Savannah.

Black currently serves on advisory committees for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Export Import Bank of the United States, and as ex-officio to the Georgia 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees.

Black and his wife, Lydia, raise commercial beef cattle on their family farm in Commerce, Georgia.

Epsilon Sigma Phi is a national honor society that recognizes excellence in the Extension community, provides networking and leadership opportunities, and facilitates professional development.