At the Wyoming State Fair last week, the state Department of Agriculture honored five people for their contributions to the agriculture industry — including Mike Moore of Powell.

The excellence in agriculture awards are given to individuals who “continuously exemplify a dedication to the agriculture industry in Wyoming.” Recipients are nominated by each of the divisions of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture and selected for their achievements in working with the department to help enhance and promote the agriculture industry, natural resources and quality of life in Wyoming.

Moore, the manager of the University of Wyoming Seed Certification Service, received the Excellence as an Agriculture Industry Supporter Award. The honor is reserved for a Wyoming business or individual who promotes and supports agriculture in association with programs under the Department of Agriculture’s Technical Services Division.

In recognizing Moore, division members said he’s gone “above and beyond” in his work for the ag industry.

“Over the last 22 years, he has helped agriculture all over the state while serving as the state manager of the State Seed Certification Service, secretary-treasurer of the Wyoming Crop Improvement Association, and through his efforts on the ground and in the fields certifying seed for Wyoming’s plant breeders,” said the division. “Directly, he has worked with our division in the approval of special need pesticide registration and has constantly been an important resource for our seed inspectors and bean graders while always being a pleasure to work with.”

The Wyoming Seed Certification Service is housed at the University of Wyoming’s Powell Research and Extension Center.

Moore has worked in support of agriculture for more than 30 years. Prior to coming to Wyoming in 1997, he worked on the Colorado State University Foundation Seed project as an undergraduate and then with the Oregon State University wheat breading program.

The other winners were: Denise Lucero of Goshen County Conservation Districts (Science Cooperator Award); Hannah Swanbom of University of Wyoming Extension (Friend of Agriculture Award); Abigail Boudewyns, formerly of the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office (Outstanding Service Award); and Dennis Sun of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup (Pacesetter Award).

The Excellence in Agriculture Awards are presented during the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas each year. This year’s recipients were honored on Aug. 16 at the Ruthe James Williams Center on the Wyoming State Fairgrounds.