Bradley County Extension Agent John Gavin has long been the go-to expert on tomato production — so much so 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 Country 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.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
John Anderson, director 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,” Anderson said. “His expertise in tomato production is legendary. 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 years.
He’s knows just about every tomato producer in Bradley County as well as in surrounding counties that comprise Arkansas’ primary tomato-producing region.
There’s even a bit of competition among producers as to who will deliver the first box of tomatoes to the Bradley County Extension Office, an event that unofficially signals the start of tomato season in Arkansas. Those “first” boxes go on display at the Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival, which Gavin has helped with for many years. In 2014, he was inducted into the Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival Hall of Fame.
A MENTOR TO MANY
While Gavin is known for his tomato expertise, his extension colleagues also know him as a great teacher and mentor.
“When it comes to tomatoes, there is no one who knows more than John, and he has always been able and willing to share that knowledge with others,” said Les Walz, extension agriculture and natural resources educator, who has worked with Gavin for 26 years. “I’m going to miss our field trips together and the John-isms.”
Ashley County Extension Agent Kevin Norton has gained knowledge from Gavin as well.
“I can’t begin to list all the things I’ve learned from John over the past 17 years,” Norton said. “I grew up in Warren working in tomato fields, but all I knew then was how to pick and load them. When I became an agent in 2008 and started getting questions about tomatoes, I called John a lot, and so did many others.”
Clark County Extension Agent Amy Simpson has also called on Gavin for tomato expertise.
“Everyone knows to call John if you have a tomato question you can’t answer,” Simpson said. “He’s even come over to my county to teach tomato grafting at one of my programs. The best part about him is how kind he is and how willing he is to help other agents and clientele.”
Former Bradley County Family and Consumer Sciences agent Michelle Carter has known Gavin since 2009 and said she learned much from him.
“He is a very wise and smart man,” she said. “He taught me about the importance of collaboration within the community and getting to know our people, how to think more strategically when planning and implementing programs and how to think ahead in all aspects of life, not only in our profession, but in our daily lives.”
Gavin’s work has earned him many accolades from his professional associations.
The Division of Agriculture honored him in 2022 with its John W. White Outstanding County Extension Educator Award. He’s also received distinguished service awards from the Arkansas County Agricultural Agents Association and the National Association of County Agricultural Agents.
NOT SO FAST
While Gavin won’t be going to the office every day, colleagues aren’t letting him off the hook just yet. Gavin plans to lend help as needed to whoever is hired as Bradley County’s next agriculture extension agent, who will also assume his duties with the 2026 Bradley County Tomato Festival.
His family, though, also has plans for him. Gavin and his wife, Sandy, have a son, Weston, and several nieces and nephews with whom they like to spend time.
“I’m trying to talk him into a cruise,” Sandy Gavin said. “We want to travel some while we can.”
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service office or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.
Tracy Courage is with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
