Congratulations to AREC alumna Rachel Painter (BS ’15 and MS ’17) for winning three 2022 Tennessee Association of Agricultural Agents and Specialists awards! She received awards for Agent of the Year, Achievement Award, and the Fletcher Sweet Communicator of the Year Award.

Rachel is an Extension agent in Rutherford County, delivering agricultural programming focused on horticulture. Her innovative programming led to increased engagement, diversity, and retention in the Master Gardener volunteer program, resulting in an estimated economic impact of $889,853 for the local community. She also served as the previous Central Region Director for TAAA&S.