Dr. Mitchell Parks received the J.W. Massengill Award for Distinguished Service in Agriculture at the annual Farm-City Banquet, a project of the Agribusiness Committee of the Greene County Partnership.
The award is named in honor of the late J.W. Massengill, a Chuckey dairyman who managed a large farming operation while also serving in civic and community positionss at both the local and state levels. Massengill was also active in agricultural leadership across Tennessee, making significant contributions to the farming community beyond Greene County.
The award was presented by Wilhelmina Clemmer Williams, the niece of J.W. and Willie Massengill.
In presenting the award, Williams said Parks has spent more than 40 years providing veterinary care to livestock throughout Greene County and surrounding areas, earning a reputation for his expertise and compassionate service to farmers. A 1983 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Parks established his own practice in 1985 and has developed lasting relationships with generations of local farm families. Williams praised his dedication to the agricultural community and his commitment to helping farmers maintain the health and well-being of their animals.
Williams’ complete prepared remarks are as follows:
“Hello, I am Wilhelmina Clemmer Williams. I am a niece of J.W. and Willie Massengill. My husband, Beverly Williams, and I were very close to them through the years and appreciate their leadership and contributions to agriculture.
Phillip Bachman, J.W.’s grandson, usually presents this award, but he is on a trip and asked me to make this presentation.
The J.W. Massengill Award for Distinguished Service for Agriculture is presented to a person who is successful in farming or in an agricultural related career. He or she promotes agriculture through his or her farm or business and shows leadership in numerous agricultural, community and civic organizations.
Our recipient is known for his compassionate care and the expertise he provides to farmers to ensure good health and wellbeing for their livestock. His expertise is well known in Greene County and reaches into surrounding counties and states.
He is a 1983 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. His professional memberships include the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Embryo Transfer Society. He is certified in Embryo transfer.
He and his wife came to Greene County in 1983 where they raised two sons and now celebrate their three grandchildren. He began his work for a local veterinarian and opened his own practice in 1985. They are members of the First Baptist Church of Greeneville.
He has worked over 40 years with many local farmers to ensure good health to their livestock, whether it be dairy cows, beef cows, horses, or other farm animals. He cares deeply for farmers and has created many lifelong friendships.
The recipient of the J.W. Massengill Award goes to Dr. Mitchell Parks.”
J. W. Massengill Award Winners
1991 – Ralph Carter
1992 – Hugh A. Wells
1993 – J. W. Douthat
1994 – Ralph Bowers
1995 – Ben Thompson
1996 – Dale B. Tucker
1997 – Billy D. Cobble
1998 – Howard “Boots” Hutton
1999 – Dr. Robert D. Miller
2000 – Donald Swanay
2001 – Charles E. Love
2002 – Lowell Wayne Brown
2003 – Jake E. Haun
2004 – Betty Love
2005 – U. T. Research & Education
2006 – Vera Ann Myers
2007 – Steve Hale
2008 – John Baxter
2009 – Dr. A. L. “Ducky” Duckworth, Jr.
2010 – Ronnie Sartain
2011 – Ann Birdwell
2012 – Lanny Love
2013 – Milton Orr
2014 – Dale Tucker, Jr.
2015 – George Mays
2016 – Dr. Doug Woolsey
2017 – Tony Bird
2018 – Dennis Adams
2019 – Phil Hunter
2022 – Sally Causey
2023 – Stan Ritter
2024 – John Collins
2025 – Jimmy Carter
2026 – Dr. Mitchell Parks
