2025 Ag Appreciation Awards — UW College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources

Every year, the UW College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources recognizes exceptional alumni, valued partners, and generous supporters of the college. The 2025 Ag Appreciation Award recipients are outstanding alumni Alan Knapp, Dolly Watson, and Wes Watson; corporate partner Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.; and legacy donor Farm Credit Services of America.

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD: UW Alum Recognized as Global Leader in Rangeland Ecology

Alan Knapp earned both his master’s and doctoral degrees in botany from the University of Wyoming. At UW, he laid the foundation for a career that would change how researchers understand and manage rangelands on a global scale. Osvaldo Sala, professor at Arizona State University, describes Knapp as “the most influential rangeland ecologist of this generation.”

Knapp is currently a University Distinguished Professor at Colorado State University. Known for his groundbreaking research on topics like precipitation variability and land use, Knapp has published over 300 peer-reviewed papers and his research has been cited more than 48,000 times.

As a lifetime member of the UW Alumni Association, a mentor to Wyoming scientists, and a past board member of the Program in Ecology and Evolution (PiEE), Knapp remains deeply connected to UW.

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD: Livestock Entomologist Develops Innovative Pest Management Solutions

Wes Watson, a native of Rawlins, Wyoming, earned his master’s in livestock entomology from the University of Wyoming in 1984. Livestock entomology is the study of livestock insect pests, like bot flies or sheep ticks.

“[Watson] is an innovator and a leader—tackling emerging problems and pushing our science into unexplored areas,” says Phillip Kaufman, professor at Texas A&M University. For example, Watson’s graduate research on cattle lice still informs FDA protocols today. Watson also helped develop new pest management options, including a walk-through fly vacuum system that provides a way for organic livestock producers to control cattle pests.

Prior to retirement, Watson served as president of the Entomological Society of America and head of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at North Carolina State University.

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD: Researcher Develops New Methods for Studying Soil Microbiology
Dorothy “Dolly” Watson earned her bachelor’s degree in botany from UW in 1976 and a master’s in agronomy in 1987. Her graduate committee chair, UW Professor Emeritus Stephen Williams, still uses methods Watson outlined in her master’s thesis.

Watson’s research focused on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, microscopic soil organisms that connect to plant roots to improve nutrient uptake and soil health. Her research helped confirm the importance of these organisms to plant health and she was often called upon to identify samples for researchers across the country

“Dolly brought not only technical expertise to our team but also an unwavering dedication to scientific integrity and discovery,” says Michelle Schroeder-Moreno, director of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems at North Carolina State University.

OUTSTANDING PARTNER AWARD:  Industry Partnership Supports Student Success, Scientific Discovery

Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST) has been an outstanding corporate partner for the University of Wyoming and the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources. WEST offers environmental and statistical consulting services both nationally and internationally for projects focusing on ecology. The company’s specialties range from environmental permitting to vegetation and reclamation, to wetlands, water, and wildlife research.

WEST was co-founded in 1990 by two researchers at the University of Wyoming: Lyman McDonald, a now-retired professor of statistics and zoology, and Dale Strickland, who earned a PhD in ecology from UW in 1975. WEST has employed 43 UW alumni over the years and has engaged in research collaborations with UW on at least 10 different projects. WEST has also provided philanthropic support to UW through the WEST Graduate Student Enrichment Fund for Quantitative Research in Wildlife and Fisheries Ecology.

LEGACY AWARD: FCS America Helps Secure Future of Wyoming Ag

In a bold and transformational commitment to the University of Wyoming’s land-grant mission and Wyoming’s agricultural legacy, Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) has established the Farm Credit Services of America College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources Deanship at UW.

Endowed deanships are among the most prestigious and impactful gifts a university can receive. They empower academic leaders to drive innovation, support faculty and student success, and respond quickly and effectively to challenges and opportunities. For the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources, this means expanded support for high-impact teaching, research, and community engagement across critical areas such as natural resource management, food systems, environmental stewardship, and rural resilience.

As Dean Kelly Crane notes, “Endowed deanships are game changers,” allowing the college to attract exceptional talent and lead with vision. The Farm Credit Services of America Deanship not only elevates the college, but also strengthens the university’s role as a national leader among land-grant institutions.

This investment builds on FCSAmerica’s long-standing commitment to education and rural prosperity in Wyoming and neighboring states. As a mission-driven financial cooperative, FCSAmerica has always understood that the future of agriculture depends on strong leadership. Their support of UW affirms a shared belief in preparing the next generation of agricultural innovators and problem-solvers.