“The State of North Carolina acknowledges and extends its sincere appreciation for your many years of dedicated service.”

The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences recognized E. James “Jim” Dunphy’s forty-two years of distinguished service at a special luncheon held April 24 in honor of his retirement. Warm words of praise and friendship were heard from a group of speakers: CALS Dean Richard Linton, NC State Extension Director Rich Bonanno, Crop and Soil Sciences Department Head Jeff Mullahey, Professor Bob Patterson, and Dr. Dunphy’s technicians Donnie Hinnant and Mike Buffaloe.

Professor of Crop Science and Soybean Extension Specialist Dunphy has received many recognitions and awards over the decades of his work with soybeans, especially in recent years.

In 2016, a new drought-resistant soybean variety was named NC-Dunphy in his honor. In January 2018, he received the Plant Food Association of North Carolina’s Distinguished Service Award.  Also in 2018, Dr. Dunphy became the first recipient of the North Carolina Soybean Producers’ Dunphy Award, named for him and awarded for his dedication and service to the industry over his distinguished 42-year career. A few months later, Dr. Dunphy received the America Soybean Association’s Pinnacle Award, which provides national industry-wide recognition of individuals who have demonstrated the highest level of contribution and long-term leadership within the soybean family and industry.  Jim Dunphy is the first to receive this distinction.

How does he feel, looking back? “Oh, I’ve enjoyed it, or I would have gone home long ago.” Jim Dunphy’s dry sense of humor comes with a twinkle in his eye. “But it’s too much fun, it’s too enjoyable, so I kept on coming in…fortunately throughout my career, an effective extension system, county agents, and farmers helped us get answers into the hands of farmers. Find the answers, show the answers to a wide range of farmers. With two [technicians], equipment, extension agents and farmers, we’ve accomplished quite a lot.”

One highlight of the luncheon was technician Mike Buffaloe presenting Dr. Dunphy with a planter plate clock similar to the Most Efficient Yield Award Jim Dunphy has given out over the years.  But this planter plate clock was painted a glossy Wolfpack red, and bears a nameplate from the Reedy Creek Technical Staff that says it all:

“Thank you for your dedicated service.”

Article by Kaki Carl