Doug Tregoning honored with Miller Award

The Maryland Grain Producers Association (MGPA) awarded its prestigious Dr. James R. Miller award to Doug Tregoning of Montgomery County at the Maryland Commodity Classic on July 22.  Established in 1988, this award recognizes a professional, non-grower for his or her contributions to the grain industry.  
 
“Doug Tregoning has been a life-long public servant who has made great strides in improving the understanding of agriculture by Marylanders,” comments Chip Bowling, MGPA President.  “He has shown great initiative and creativity in bringing the story of our food and fiber industry to school children and adults throughout his career with the University of Maryland Extension Service.”
 
The popular 4th grade field trips, “Close Encounter with Agriculture”, was a brainstorm of Tregoning’s and educated tens of thousands of Montgomery County students.  He also created the cable program, “Rural Montgomery County”, bringing agricultural issues to Maryland homes with his interviews of local farmers.
 
“Doug’s knowledge, wisdom and common sense have guided the Montgomery Extension Office through three decades of transformation and development with a final goal of helping all the citizens,” stated Jamie Jamison, Montgomery County farmer and recipient of the Miller award in 2009.  “Doug has been instrumental in developing the Montgomery County Grain Marketing Club, which has helped many grain producers to improve their marketing skills.”
 
Doug Tregoning grew up on a dairy and grain farm in Montgomery County, Maryland. He attended West Virginia University and received a BS Degree in Agribusiness and Agronomy in 1977, then continued to attain a Masters Degree in 1979 in Agricultural Economics. He has been an Extension Agent for the University of Maryland Extension out of the Montgomery County Office since 1980.
 
He worked with equine Extension audiences on pasture/forage/business management issues. Working in conjunction with NRCS personnel and Extension personnel, he established field demonstrations on rotationally grazing horses on three separate farms. He is noted for his presentations on toxic plants and pasture establishment.  His educational programs focus on grain marketing, farm management, agronomic crops and public outreach education.  After more than three decades of providing educational information to the citizens of Montgomery County, Doug retired on July 1st.
 
“Doug’s contributions to the agricultural community and to the citizens and students of Montgomery County has been tremendous, as has his work statewide,” stated Chip Bowling, MGPA President.  “He leaves a legacy of programs and achievements that will provide benefits for years to come. Maryland grain farmers recognize the strong commitment that Doug has made to agriculture, and we honor him with the Dr. James Miller Award.”

Previous winners of the Dr. James R. Miller Award include: