‘Tomato John’ Gavin Retiring After 42 Years With UA Cooperative Extension

By Tracy Courage, UA Division of AgricultureWARREN, Ark. — Bradley County Extension Agent John Gavin, a Cleveland County native, has long been the go-to expert on tomato production — so much that producers and colleagues affectionately refer to him as ‘Tomato John’ and ‘Dr. Tomato’ for his extensive tomato expertise.After 42 years of service to the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Gavin will retire at the end of 2025.More than 100 current and former colleagues, tomato producers and community members celebrated his long, fruitful career at a reception Dec. 17 at the Warren County Club.“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the people of Arkansas through extension,” Gavin said. “Over the years, I have enjoyed working alongside dedicated colleagues and community partners to advance agriculture, education and outreach. The relationships we’ve built and the impact we’ve made together have been deeply fulfilling and will remain highlights of my professional life.”John Anderson, head of the Cooperative Extension Service, said the impact of Gavin’s work will continue to be felt in Bradley County and beyond.“John Gavin has been a fixture in Arkansas Cooperative Extension for over four decades. His expertise in tomato production is legendary,” Anderson said. “Beyond his impressive subject matter expertise, though, John has been a mentor to countless extension agents and specialists over the years. His commitment to the organization and to the community that he has served with great distinction is an example that we would all do well to follow. We certainly wish John all the best in his well-earned retirement, but he will certainly be missed.”Gavin started his extension career in 1984 as an agent in Nevada County, worked in Union County extension from 1988-1990, and has been Bradley County’s agriculture extension agent for the past 35 ye...