Early Career Service Award

Richard Zollinger

Rich, in his role as a weed control specialist, is very much in demand by clientele needing information, and he makes himself available. In his seven years at NDSU he has given more than 700 presentations, taken more than 15,000 phone calls, answered nearly 3,200 e-mail messages and had 2,750 office visits. This is in addition to the number of people reached through publications, news articles, DTN articles, software programs and other educational materials. His most recognized product is the annual North Dakota Weed Control Guide, an extensive publication that is extensively used by producers, crop advisors and industry representatives. Rich has been a leader in using educational technology. His influence reaches beyond the borders of North Dakota, in cooperative research projects, as a speaker at training sessions and field days in several states, and in training professionals from foreign countries. He also developed an e-mail list service for weed control specialists in the North Central Region, providing a quick means of sharing information. He also has managed to apply more than 10,000 herbicide treatments for extension-based research and demonstrations.