Duncan Honored as 2021 Cotton Specialist of the Year
January 9, 2022 
Dr. Stewart “Stu” Duncan, Kansas State University Extension cotton specialist, was named the 2021 Cotton Specialist of the Year during an awards dinner held in conjunction with the Beltwide Cotton Conferences in San Antonio, TX.
The annual award, voted on by cotton specialists in the 17 states where cotton is grown, is based on multiple considerations including exceptional leadership and outstanding industry service. The award is sponsored by BASF.
A lifelong Kansan, Duncan earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Agronomy from Kansas State. During his university career, he provided leadership for all types of crop production and environmental protection practices. He helped develop the state’s cotton production system and affiliated industry, including cottonseed processing and use, cropping systems demonstrations, and research. He retired in 2021 following 40 years of professional service.
“When we started growing cotton in Kansas, nobody on campus would touch it,” recalled Duncan. “The department head asked the county agents if they needed a cotton specialist or at least somebody to work on it. They said yes, and he said, ‘It’s you.’
“I learned from a lot of really good cotton people,” he added. “From other state specialists, from cooperators, from farmers – it was always a welcoming group. I’d never worked with a commodity group like cotton. It’s just very special.”
“I am extremely pleased to see Stu recognized by his peers as Cotton Specialist of the Year,” said Steve Nichols, BASF Agronomic Services Manager, Cotton. “Stu has always been highly engaged in agriculture throughout his career and has demonstrated a passion for cotton and the cotton industry. I appreciate the many contributions he has made over the years and I’m proud to call him a friend.”
GET THE NEWSLETTER TODAY!
