In recognition of exceptional and sustained contributions to the profession throughout his career, John Rayfield, a professor within Texas Tech University's Department of Agricultural Education & Communications, has been honored as a 2022 American Association for Agricultural Education Fellow. 

The recognition is presented to members who have no less than a decade and no more than 20 years of active service at the university level and who show great promise for continued contributions.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the agricultural education professional organization that I am a member,” Rayfield said. “It is a huge honor, and I'm not sure I'm worthy.” 

AAAE is one of the nation's premier national society for social science scholarship in food, agriculture and natural resources. Program officials note that its mission is to foster excellence in the discovery and exchange of evidence-based solutions for social science challenges in agriculture and related sciences.

“We're proud to see Dr. Rayfield's accomplishments recognized by his induction as a Fellow of AAAE,” added Scott Burris, chair of the Department of Agricultural Education and Communications. “It's an honor reserved for the most distinguished professionals, and he certainly represents that well.” 

Recent honors for Rayfield include selection as the ‘Outstanding Journal Article for 2019' by the American Association for Agricultural Education's Journal of Agricultural Education. The study examined the effects of sequencing instruction on STEM knowledge in high school agricultural education courses.

He also received the Southern Region American Association for Agricultural Education's Distinguished Research Award (2016); TAMU Association of Formers Students Distinguished Teaching Award (2015); Southern Region American Association for Agricultural Education's Outstanding Young Agricultural Educator (2013); Honorary American FFA Degree (2013); and Honorary Lifetime Member - Texas Junior Livestock Association (2011).

Prior to joining Texas Tech's Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources faculty in 2016, Rayfield served as an assistant and associate professor with Texas A&M University's Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications. The Alabama native received his bachelor's degree in agricultural education from Auburn University, and his master's degree in agricultural education from the University of Georgia-Athens. His doctorate in agricultural education is from Texas Tech. 

CONTACT: Scott Burris, Chair, Department of Agricultural Education & Communications, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-8689 or scott.burris@ttu.edu

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