Celebrating the Visionaries: 2026 agInnovation Award Recipients Announced
Help us celebrate the winners of the 2026 Excellence in Multistate Research, Excellence in Leadership, and Excellence in Agricultural Innovation Research awards!
Today, agInnovation proudly unveils the winners of its 2026 Excellence Awards—honoring trailblazers in multistate research, leadership, and agricultural innovation across the Land-Grant University System.
Excellence in Multistate Research
The Western Region’s project, Reproductive Performance in Domestic Ruminants [W4112], has earned top national honors, recognized for its groundbreaking contributions to reproductive performance of cattle and sheep.
Congratulations also to these regional champions:
North Central Region: Optimizing Forage and Grazing Cattle (NC1181)
Southern Region: Sustainable Practices, Economic Contributions, Consumer Behavior & Labor Management in the US Environmental Horticulture Industry (S1087)
Northeast Region: Collaborative Potato Breeding & Variety Development Activities to Enhance Farm Sustainability in the Eastern US (NE2231)
Each project has made significant strides in collaborative research and real-world agricultural impact.
Excellence in Leadership
This year’s Leadership Awards spotlight outstanding leaders from across the regions:
 ASSOCIATION OF 1890 RESEARCH DIRECTORS Louis Whitesides South Carolina State University |  NORTHEAST REGION Margaret Smith Cornell University |
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION Shibu Jose University of Missouri |  SOUTHERN REGION Scott Senseman Oklahoma State University |
 WESTERN REGION Chris Pritsos University of Nevada, Reno |
These individuals have demonstrated exceptional vision, dedication, and guidance within their institutions and throughout the broader Land-Grant university network.
LIFETIME AWARD
Excellence in Agricultural Research Innovation
 ASSOCIATION OF 1890 RESEARCH DIRECTORS Ali Fares Prairie View A&M University |  WESTERN REGION Rachel Novotny University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa |
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION Ed Cahoon University of Nebraska-Lincoln |  SOUTHERN REGION Peggy Ozias-Akins University of Georgia |
MID-CAREER AWARD
Excellence in Agricultural Research Innovation
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION Ozan N. Ciftci Purdue University |  SOUTHERN REGION Haibo Huang Virginia Tech |
 WESTERN REGION Mohsen B. Mesgaran University of California, Davis |
EARLY CAREER AWARD
Excellence in Agricultural Research Innovation
 ASSOCIATION OF 1890 RESEARCH DIRECTORS Oluwatoyin Sangokunle Florida A&M University |  NORTH CENTRAL REGION Barney A. Geddes North Dakota State University |
 SOUTHERN REGION Vitor S. Martins Mississippi State University |  WESTERN REGION William Norris New Mexico State University |
Why These Awards Matter
The agInnovation Excellence Awards recognize collaborative spirit, visionary leadership, and groundbreaking research across the Land-Grant university system. From next-generation watershed management to agricultural resilience and transformative innovations in livestock and agroecosystems, these awardees embody a powerful commitment to addressing global challenges—from climate impacts and environmental stewardship to equitable, sustainable food systems.
What’s Next?
Stay inspired as these initiatives continue to shape the future of agriculture. Visit the agInnovation site to explore impact statements, citations, and social media toolkits about these projects that are redefining innovation in action.
Congratulations to all 2026 award recipients! Your excellence fuels progress, inspires communities, and paves the way toward a resilient agricultural future.
See the full list of recipients here: https://www.aginnovation.info/2026-annual-meeting/2026-award-recipients
