Mid-Career Service Award

Marcia McMullen

As an extension plant pathologist, Marcia conducts an extensive educational program on cereal crop diseases, but since 1993 she has been best known for providing leadership in dealing with the scab epidemic. Described as the greatest plant disease epidemic in modern history and costing more than $1 billion, dealing with the scab situation has been a monumental effort. Marcia has provided information and education on all aspects of the problem, including information for producers on reducing the risk of scab, the effects of scab and vomitoxin in the grain trade and for feeding livestock, and seed quality problems related to scabby grain. Because of her efforts, she was presented the National Association of Wheat Growers Excellence in Extension Award. Besides her efforts on scab, Marcia has continued research and extension efforts with other diseases of small grains. She works closely with researchers at NDSU and other universities to bring the latest research developments to the growers. Another major effort is her annual field scout training school, which provides training opportunities for students wanting to learn crop scouting and individuals who wish to be certified as crop advisors. Marcia is very active in professional organizations, within the university and on extension committees. She was also chosen for the National Extension Leadership Development (NELD) program for the North Central Region.