Jeff Cook

2024 D.W. Brooks Faculty Award for Excellence in Public Service

Jeff Cook is the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent and coordinator for UGA Extension in Taylor and Peach counties and serves as the area peach agent. Since joining UGA Extension in 2000, he has been recognized for his work with peaches, strawberries and pesticide stewardship. Cook has led or co-led 64 peach research projects and conducted trials in cotton, pecans, forage and strawberries. From 2015 to 2024, he managed a 3-acre research orchard at Fort Valley State University.

He organizes the strawberry educational session at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference and has twice chaired the North American Strawberry Growers Annual Meeting and Farm Tour. He also contributes to the peach session at this national meeting. He is a UGA graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree in plant pathology in 1997 and a master’s degree in plant protection and pest management in 1999.