COFFEEVILLE — Jamie L. Whitten Plant Materials Center (PMC) employee Jon Allison of Tippo recently was recognized as the outstanding employee across 25 plant materials centers throughout the nation.
Natural Resources Conservation Service State Resource Conservationist Rogerick Thompson presented a plaque to Allison on behalf of Mississippi NRCS and National Plant Materials Program Leader John Englert.
“Jon is constantly looking for ways to improve how we plan studies and for ways to maximize the practical value of PMC projects to NRCS staff and customers,” said local PMC manager Alayna Jacobs.
She added that he has a clear passion for using conservation to reduce farming inputs or increase farming outputs.
Allison has worked at the PMC in Coffeeville for 16 years. He brings the real-world experience of operating his family row-crop farm in Tallahatchie County to the plant materials mission of providing quality vegetative technology information to NRCS field staff and landowners.
The award credits him with being instrumental in renovating PMC fields, utilizing equipment, training employees and maintaining relationships with key partners to improve the effectiveness of the PMC.
Allison provides expertise for the development of technology products, such as the Southeastern Cover Crop Selection Tool, which is used for conservation planning in Mississippi.
“I care about the work we do at the PMC not only because I want to preserve the resource base for my children and their children on our own farm, but also because I want to help other farmers conserve their natural resources so we can feed the world,” noted Allison.
He said that he is humbled by the award and is excited about current PMC projects, such as the long-term soil health study. This 10-year study combines recommended practices to support soil health while also monitoring costs and yields of crops to give farmers and NRCS staff a real-world comparison of how conservation can pay.
Editor’s note: This article was reprinted with permission from an NRCS employee newsletter.
IN THE PHOTO: Rogerick Thompson (right) presents Jon Allison with “The Plant Materials Outstanding Employee Award.” (Photo special to The Sun-Sentinel)
