Editor
In the life of a cotton consultant, the day starts early and often lasts well past dark-thirty. The hours are long, but their passion for helping farmer-clients succeed and turn a profit on their cotton crop is boundless.
In 1981, Cotton Farming magazine initiated the Cotton Consultant of the Year Award program. It recognizes a consultant who has made great contributions to the cotton industry through outstanding customer relations, leadership and innovation.
The prestigious award, sponsored by Syngenta and Cotton Farming magazine, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
Thirty-nine cotton consultants have been honored and 12 cotton-producing states have been represented.
The CCOY Award is one of the most coveted titles in the industry. Each year, Syngenta and Cotton Farming honor the Cotton Consultant of the Year with an award reception along with a special four-page tribute in Cotton Farming magazine.
Another special aspect of the award is that nominees are voted on by their peers — former CCOY winners. The significance of the selection process was not lost on Arkansas consultant Eddy Cates, who was named the 2019 Cotton Consultant of the Year.
“Knowing that my peers think I am worthy of this honor is like a lifetime achievement award,” he says. “I was very grateful and a little emotional. It was a very proud moment for me.”
Texan Mark Scott, the 2018 Cotton Consultant of the Year Award winner, had a similar reaction.
“I am so humbled to have been selected for this award,” he says. “I was grateful for all the letters that were written on my behalf and honored to be included in this great group of consultants that I highly respect.”
In June, we opened nominations for the 2020 Cotton Consultant of the Year. If you know a consultant deserving of this honor, take time to nominate him or her. They give you their all, so please take advantage of this opportunity to show your appreciation.
The CCOY nomination form can be on the Cotton Farming website at www.cottonfarming.com/ccoy/.
To all the cotton consultants out there, we salute you!