Extension agent gets big send-off

Jackson County extension agent Charles Brasher has retired after 43 years of service to farmers and gardeners.

Friends and associates did all they could to keep the mood light and fun at his farewell party Tuesday, but tears were welling in a few eyes as the event came to a close.

Brasher’s quiet leadership, temperament and tireless work ethic made him a favorite of co-workers and the public alike. He had expected a modest luncheon with just a few people, but 124 guests turned out to bid him farewell. His old boss, retired Extension Director Ed Jowers, was there, along with former employees who worked for him years ago. Several agricultureal producers also showed up, along with colleagues from other extension offices around the state.

Co-workers recalled that going to the grocery store with Brasher was an exercise in patience. It seem like everybody knew him, and everyone felt comfortable approaching him anytime, anywhere, with a question about a garden pest, to ask his opinion on weather predictions, or how to identify or deal with plant-threatening diseases.

He would be stopped multiple times, perhaps in the produce aisle, the paper goods section, or in the checkout line.

Brasher never seemed to mind, and he spent countless hours on the phone at night, talking to small farm producers about their problems, ideas and plans for next year’s crop.

Farmer Lury J. Gilbert said he met Brasher when the extension agent first came to Jackson County in the early 1970s. Brasher was assigned to help a group of minority farmers in a program that was just starting at the time, and Gilbert was in the group. He said he was sold on Brasher from the start. Not only was he respectful, he was knowledgeable and more than willing to share what he knew.

“He helped me figure out a lot of things, and thanks to him, that was the first year I had a two ton per-acre yield on my peanuts,” Gilbert said. “I’ve known him more than 35 years and he’s still a good friend.”

Gilbert still treasures a handful of pictures taken of Brasher and the group as they posed in a field. He brought copies of those to share with Brasher at the retirement party.

Friends said Brasher dedicated his working years to doing what he could to help farmers keep their lands and operations profitable, so they could pass them on to future generations of their families.

In times when manpower was short in the office, co-workers said he also made sure things got done whether it was his responsibility or not.

He also began a program more than a decade ago that succeeded beyond his own dreams.

He started a Master Gardener program with just four people. Today, there are 40 master gardeners volunteering to help residents with their home gardening projects.

Master Gardener Sally Waxgiser said Brasher was a genuine mentor who guided rather than dictated.

The party on Tuesday included a brief summary of Brasher’s life from childhood, comedic skits about the Master Gardening program, and a song about retirement set to the tune of “My Favorite Things.”

As symbols depicting some of Brasher’s most frequent duties, tables were decorated with bunches of crepe myrtle in Mason jars, and with baskets of produce.

At the end of the event, Brasher was presented with a Troy-Bilt tiller.

He said he’ll have ample opportunities to use it; he’s moving to Tallahassee to be nearer his daughter, Alia Vincent, grandchildren and son-in-law Brian Vincent. His wife, Melanie, said the grandchildren are already making plans for their grandfather. He’s got a garden to plant with the girls – six-year-old Madelyn and nine-year-old Kaylen – and three-year-old grandson J.D. is showing a keen interest in lawn mowers already.