By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — Becky McPeake, professor and extension wildlife specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has been honored by the Arkansas Forestry Association as educator of the year.

RECOGNIZED BY HER PEERS — Dr. Becky McPeake, right, extension wildlife specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, is honored as educator of the year by the Arkansas Forestry Association. She accepts the award Oct. 13, 2022, from AFA Executive Vice President Max Braswell, left (Image courtesy Arkansas Forestry Association.)

McPeake was recognized during the AFA’s annual meeting Oct. 13. In her 23 years with the Cooperative Extension Service, McPeake has conducted demonstrations and workshops for youth and adults and has worked with multiple partnerships on projects to benefit Arkansas.

“It is definitely an honor to be recognized by one’s peers,” McPeake said. “I was beyond surprised – more like shocked — when I learned I was selected. It took about 24 hours for me to process it and reach out to my supervisor.

“The award is a validation for my passion to be an educational intermediary between forestry, wildlife, and people,” she said. “As many do in extension, we work days, nights and weekends to reach out to people and communities. It’s what we do. So it’s an honor to be recognized as someone who does it well.”

“This is a well-deserved award for a program that benefits all Arkansans,” said Vic Ford, head of agriculture and natural resources for the Cooperative Extension Service. “Dr. McPeake’s programs reach all ages and reflect the values of those who love the outdoors. Her programs are innovative and often include state-of-the-art technology, such as using drones to count feral hogs.”

Rob Beadel, AFA Director of Forestry Education, presented the award and said McPeake’s dedication is an excellent example of what an educator should be.

“Becky has been an educator since she was in school and has dedicated her life to the craft,”

Beadel said. “Her knowledge is a huge asset to all of us here in the Natural State.”

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.