Meritorious Support Staff Awards

Blair is that helpful voice on the other end of the help desk phone. Many people would be impatient answering what can be basic computer questions or always needing to immediately solve somebody�s problem. But Blair is a very optimistic person who always takes the time to help solve your computer problem. Even when you may not want an explanation, just a solution, Blair teaches by walking you through the steps, explaining the procedure so hopefully it won�t happen again.

Virginia is responsible for maintaining records and taking care of many day-to-day office duties. She supports pesticide training, county 4-H, Crop Improvement Association and other groups. Virginia is creative as well as adaptive. She works creatively to solve problems that result in more effective and efficient Extension operations. Virginia needs no direction in completing these duties. Her experience and devotion to doing a job well contribute to her outstanding record of service.

Early Career Service Award

Through his video and audio work, Bruce delivers education to people who can benefit from the NDSU Extension Service�s information. Video makes it possible to truly show people how to do something. Bruce has researched, purchased and learned to use digital editing software to develop videos that have a professional quality similar to those completed by commercial video houses. He can add whistles and bells if they help tell the story, but he chooses techniques that best get the message across.

MID-Career Service Award

Dwain provides leadership in agronomy for MPU 10 and for other Southwest District agents. He has developed a following of clientele from a wide area who look to him as a reliable educational resource. Dwain has served on several statewide advisory committees as a result of his N.D. Association of Extension Agents membership, including the Pesticide Certification Board and the N.D. Seed Increase Advisory Board. He offered a common sense voice to each board.

State Meritorious Service Award

Greg is deeply and intensely involved with N.D. agriculture in his Extension role. Greg has a comprehensive understanding of crop production techniques of most N.D. crops. Serving as an area Extension agronomist in central North Dakota requires a person to be knowledgeable on more than 20 field crops. Greg has exhibited this knowledge through consistent quality responses to a diverse producer and agribusiness clientele.

Becky is North Dakota�s representative to the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) and is the national group�s chair-elect. She coordinates the new staff orientation program, conducting two to three on-campus sessions each year, and works with conference committees to provide continuity. Becky also coordinates the monthly Let�s Communicate electronic newsletter, and works with program planning, training, marketing and communications efforts.

John is known and trusted in ag circles in Southeast North Dakota, maintaining a presence with representatives of the major commodities grown in the region. He is a trusted source of knowledge-based information that is so important to the viability of the agriculture industry of the region. His experience and relationship with seed growers and conditioners is highly valued by farmers and businesses related to that effort. John has served with numerous groups and committees in support of the industry.

State Visionary Leadership Recognition Award

Jay has had a significant impact on Extension through his vision and leadership role with NDSU personnel, the 12 counties served by the NCREC and the Minot community. Jay�s leadership has expanded capabilities and opportunities for staff at the NCREC and surrounding counties. Over the past decade, NCREC outreach activities have increased through the addition of three Extension specialists, who are widely recognized as the source for information on emerging issues in crop and livestock production in the region.

Distinguished Service Award

Duane�s accomplishments include initiating NDSU Extension Service efforts to address public issues education and providing leadership for the Financial Partnership Review Project in concert with the N.D. County Commissioners Association and the N.D. Association of Counties. Duane has taken an aggressive role in working with groups outside of Extension, especially with federal and state partners in programs relating to natural resources, environment, biotechnology and value-added agriculture.

25-Year Tenure Recognition Award

Retirees Service Award

Ruth made a significant impact on North Dakota families during her career as Clothing and Small Business Development specialist with the NDSU Extension Service. She worked with youth and adults in pants fitting workshops, 4-H clothing projects and review, 4-H leader training, serging workshops, small business start-up classes and Extension agent training to name just a few. A major effort was developing the Master Clothing Construction volunteer curriculum and training. In retirement, Ruth continues to provide leadership in community activities.
 

Retirement Recognition

Jerry Larson
Retired Stark/Billings County Extension Agent

Friends of Extension

Corene has served as a county commissioner for the past 12 years. In 2002, she served as the state president for the N.D. Association of Counties. During her term, she visited counties to see their county governments in action. She stated this was a highlight for her: to meet all different kinds of people and to meet them on their own turf, and to witness them in action. In 2001, when she was NDACo President-elect, she represented the organization in Washington, D.C.

Every issue of Farm and Ranch Guide includes Extension stories, often both news releases from Ag Communication and articles written by the FRG staff. As editor, Mark makes the decisions to use those stories that will benefit their producer readers. In addition to helping NDSU Extension Service staff distribute information through Farm and Ranch Guide, Mark and the FRG staff sponsor the Extension Program Excellence awards each year.