On the cusp of retirement, Dooly County Extension Coordinator Ronnie Barentine made an about face when he accepted the role of the University of Georgia’s Extension Southwest District Program Development Coordinator.
Barentine began his career with UGA in 1980, when he was a student, who also worked with the Animal Science Department on the campus in Athens.
In 1989, Barentine began his Extension career beginning with Dodge County, Dooly County, 19 years in Pulaski County, then back to Dooly County for the past six years.
He is nationally recognized in conservation tillage systems and sustainable agriculture.
The decision to continue his career with the University of Georgia and delay retirement was a heartfelt, considerate one as Barentine said, “The deciding factor for me to take this job is that we have a lot of new county agents in Southwest District Extension that I really want to help in getting their career off to a good start. I will be developing trainings that will help them meet the needs of farmers, landowners, and homeowners in their respective county. Our immediate concern is helping farmers in our district recover from Hurricane Michael.”
Although Barentine’s new office will be located in Tifton, traveling will be on the schedule as he networks throughout the Southwest District, the State, and nationally.
He is the husband of Angela Barentine, and they have four adult children, one grandchild, and one on the way.
Counties in the Southwest District include include Sumter County.