TDA Receives Patriot Award for Support of Afghan Mission

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture was recently presented with the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve “Patriot Award,” which recognizes organizations that support employees deployed as citizen soldiers. 

Agriculture water resources supervisor Dr. Sam Marshall was presented the award by ESGR Middle Tennessee committee member Joe Riggins, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Marshall was nominated by Sgt. Robert “Bob” Moore, a TDA employee who is currently deployed to Afghanistan with the Tennessee Army National Guard’s 1-16th Agri-business Development Team.

 As part of the award ceremony, Assistant Commissioner Larry Maxwell, retired U.S. Army Col. signed a statement of support on behalf of state Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens, also a U.S. Army veteran. “On behalf of Commissioner Givens, the department is pleased to show our support for our citizen soldiers, and we’re particularly proud that our department is so well represented on an important mission to teach others about farming and food production,” said Maxwell. 

Also representing ESGR was Middle Tennessee Area Chairman Carl Lambert, retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 and public affairs director Ken Tarkington.

 Moore, a resident of Carroll County, Tenn., is employed with Agriculture as a water quality and conservation specialist. As a member of the Agri-business Development Team, he is helping to revitalize farm production in one of Afghanistan’s high mountain provinces. The 64-member unit deployed in January for a year-long tour of duty. The Tennessee contingent is part of a larger initiative to improve the local Afghan economy and help stabilize the region. 

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is an agency within the Department of Defense that works to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers. To learn more about supporting soldiers on active duty and their families, visit Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve at www.ESGR.org. 

   Dr. Sam Marshall receives award.