Dodgen honored for 35 years of service

Newly retired Faulkner County Extension Agent Bill Dodgen was honored Monday night with a reception at the Faulkner County Natural Resource Conservation Center.

Dodgen's last day in the office was Friday. The reception area bustled with friends and those who came to honor Dodgen. He received citations from the State Senate, Secretary of State Charlie Daniels' office, Faulkner County Judge Preston Scroggin and Conway Mayor Tab Townsell.

County extension agent/agriculture Kami Marsh said Dodgen has been an agent 35 years and has served Faulkner County 24 years. He has served as the staff chair in the Faulkner County extension office.

"He deals with all our crop guys, livestock forages, anything with agriculture," she said. "He started the farmer's market here, and he's been involved with that (since its inception). He helped Twin Groves get tons of grant money to rejuvenate their public buildings, parks and fire station. He helped get this building and got us out of the basement of the courthouse. He's a friend, a coworker and an awesome guy. He's like a dad.

"He's a really good teacher," she continued. "He's taken so many agents and trained them. He's a wealth of knowledge and he's taken that and shared it with extension."

Brenda Hawkins, administrative office supervisor, has worked for the Faulkner County extension service almost 36 years, and thus Dodgen's entire tenure in Faulkner County.

"The thing about Bill I appreciate so much," she said, "in working with the public, he knew the answer to any question, whether it was the rice farm with 100 acres, a pasture question or some homeowner with two tomatoes. And he dealt with everyone the same. He took as much time with the homeowner as with the farmer with hundreds of acres of rice. He's just good to work with. He will be terribly missed."

Dodgen said he is looking forward to retirement, but after a short break, he plans on finding a part-time job. He also plans on spending time with his grandchildren, he said.

"I'll stay busy, stay involved in agriculture," Dodgen said. "The time comes when you feel like it's right to retire. I reached that point. I'll miss the people more than anything."

Dodgen said of working in the extension service, "I love farming. That's about as close to farming as you can get."

He grew up on a beef cattle farm in Saline County, he said.

Cleon Koone, a former member of the Faulkner County Quorum Court and former cattleman, was among those present.

"He's one of the finest agents we've ever had in this county," Koone said of Dodgen. "He's a pleasure to work with. He's always done his homework. I knew Bill after I got on the Quorum Court. I served on his agriculture advisory committee. I was always a big supporter of the extension service because my wife used to work for them. He and his staff were always friendly and helpful."

County Judge Preston Scroggin said, "Bill's been a figure in all aspects of agriculture in our county for many years. He's been a good friend to me. A wealth of knowledge. He's helped people with lawn problems, flower problems, orchards, wheat and fields. In the process he's been instrumental to our infrastructure (in helping) getting this building. He has been helping with the new fairgrounds. He was there to answer any question the Quorum Court had. I'm sure we've not seen the last of him. I'm sure he'll remain involved in agriculture."

(Staff writer Rachel Parker Dickerson can be reached by e-mail at rachel.dickerson@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1277. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)