Johnny Barnes Named New UT Extension Director

DeKalb County will soon have a new director of the local UT Agricultural Extension Service.
Johnny Barnes will be taking over from Michael Barry effective January 1. His first day on the job will be January 4.
Barry has taken another position.
County Mayor Tim Stribling made the announcement during the County Commission meeting Monday night. “The UT Extension/ Agriculture Committee met a couple of times. County Commissioners Mason Carter, Betty Atnip, and Jeff Barnes are on that committee. On November 24 they conducted interviews along with Mark Willoughby and Jim Stewart, who is the regional director for the Central Region of the Extension Service. They conducted interviews for Director of the Extension Service. The former Director Michael Barry took a position with the Extension Service in Davidson County. That left an opening here. Requirements were that you had to have an agriculture degree and a masters degree. They interviewed and then the Extension Service met on Tuesday, December 8. They again met with Jim Stewart and they have hired Johnny Barnes as the Agriculture Agent and Extension Director,” said Stribling.
“Barnes has worked for ten years in Wilson County as a 4-H agent. He lives in Alexandria and is a DeKalb County native,” Stribling added.
“I’d like to ask everyone to stop in on January 4 and welcome Barnes. I think he is going to be a great asset to our county,” said Commissioner Betty Atnip.