D.W. Brooks Awards

Memorial & History

Memorial

David William Brooks
(1901 - 1999)

The D.W. Brooks Lecture Series and Faculty Awards of Excellence are named for a Georgian whose contributions to agriculture are respected around the world. An alumnus of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences where he also taught agronomy, D.W. Brooks devoted his career to the improvement of life through improvements in agriculture. Tommy Irvin, Georgia's Agriculture Commissioner, described Mr. Brooks as "the best-known, non-elected agriculture leader in the nation, " according to a front-page story in the August 6, 1999 Athens Daily News.

Mr. Brooks, the founder and chairman emeritus of Gold Kist Inc., advised seven U.S. presidents on various agriculture and trade issues. He started Cotton States Mutual Insurance Companies in 1941 to provide farmers with insurance. His numerous honors for contributions to agriculture included being the first inductee into the University of Georgia's Agricultural Hall of Fame. He received the Distinguished Agribusiness Award from the Georgia Agribusiness Council and was named Progressive Farmer magazine's "Man of the Year in Agriculture in the South." The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences sponsors the annual lecture series in his memory.

History

The first Brooks Award was established in 1981 to recognize faculty members who make outstanding contributions and maintain excellence in the teaching program of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

In 1983, the awards were expanded to include research, extension and county extension programs. An award for global programs was added in 1988. Each award includes a framed certificate and a $5,000 cash award.

The lecture is named for the late D.W. Brooks, founder of Gold Kist, Inc. Brooks started Cotton States Mutual Insurance Companies in 1941. He advised seven U.S. presidents on farm and trade issues. Among his many honors, he was the first inductee into the UGA Agricultural Hall of Fame.