Dennis Worwood to retire as Extension agent

There may not be anyone in Emery County who has more interest in weeds than Dennis Worwood.
He can tell you what kind of weed it is and how to kill it.
He will also tell you how to keep it from coming back.
In his years as the county agent, Dennis has conducted weed tours in Emery County every year.
Each year they targeted another weed to help eradicate.
The Tamarisk and Russian Olive have been on the hit list and Dennis knows the best methods of treatment to stall the growth of these noxious plants.
He not only worked on weeds over the years, but ventured into politics for a time when he was the chairman of the Emery County Lands Council.
Dennis is perhaps known best for his continuing work with the Southeastern Utah Junior Livestock show held each year in Ferron.
His tasks associated with the show were many and varied. He gives advice to the young exhibitors throughout the year as they prepare their animals for show.
He’s seen at the stockshow barn cleaning and making repairs each year so the grounds look their best as the visitors come to Ferron.
Sherry Worwood shares her memories of Dennis’ life and career.
On a snowy, wintery, November day, Dennis Worwood was born to Ron and Madeline in Nephi, Utah. He grew up on a small farm, working alongside his dad training horses.
After his LDS mission to California he attended Brigham Young University. While he was there he was set up on a blind date with Sherry Winn, who was attending Utah State.
Four months later they were married in the Manti Temple on August 25, 1978. Later they found out that their fathers were childhood friends. Throughout their life together they have accomplished many great things, six of which are their boys.
While starting their young family, Dennis told Sherry that one of the first things he wanted to accomplish as a county agent was to implement sprinkler irrigation throughout the farms in Emery County. Implementing the system took longer than he expected, and was more difficult than he thought. With the help of others he made it happen because he knew the benefits would increase the livelihood of local farmers.
Dennis is a compassionate person who truly wants others to succeed. He will go above and beyond the call of duty to help them reach that success.
One of Dennis’ greatest passions in life is gardening. He has always had magnificent gardens that some have compared to the Garden of Eden. Through his patience and dedication to gardening, he has freely fed his family, half the town, and anybody who stops by to visit.
Dennis is revered as the swine specialist for the state of Utah. He was one of the first people in Utah to artificially inseminate a pig, and his research on the topic has been the top viewed and read across the nation. He has produced over 150 Grand and Reserve Champions across the state of Utah and neighboring states.
It will be hard to imagine stock shows, 4-H Camps, horse shows, master gardening classes, and endless committee meetings without Dennis.
Sherry said that Dennis always went above and beyond what was expected of him, and that if he was paid for all the overtime, and countless nights and weekends, they would be multi-millionaires.
The things that bring Dennis the most joy in life are his faith and his family. Dennis has faithfully served the community in many leadership positions in his church.
Dennis’ service, hard work, and dedication, not just at work, but within his faith, have been a great example to his family. Their sons, Cory and Brady, were born while they were living in Logan, whereas Collin, Dane, Daren, and Kaden were born in Emery County. Dennis and Sherry have loved raising their boys in Ferron.
After they raised their boys, they figured one or two of them would reside in Ferron, but are blessed to have all six boys living in town.
They have five amazing daughter-in-laws, and 13 grandchildren, 10 boys and three girls. His heart is filled with the greatest joy when his grandchildren come over, yell “Grandpa!” and run into his arms.
Throughout his life, and especially these last 36 years as a county agent, Dennis has served his family, his town, his county, and his state faithfully, and wholeheartedly.
He has touched the lives of countless people, served many in their times of need, and has loved every minute of it. Dennis has been an invaluable asset to our community, and has created a monumental legacy for us to follow.