Retiree Service Award

James A. Berg

Jim retired from Agriculture Communication in 1987 after an extension career that included service in Ramsey and Kidder counties. He maintained his contact with and support for NDSU and extension after retirement. One of Jim's loves was politics, and he got heavily involved after retirement. He was elected to the state legislature as a representative, was defeated for reelection, and then was elected to the state senate, an office he held at the time of his death. He is believed to be the first NDSU Extension Service retiree to be elected to the North Dakota senate. He was heavily involved in community service as a longtime Optimist Club member, as director of the Great Plains Food Bank of Fargo, and in his church. Jim and his wife, Nona, served as foster parents for numerous young people through Lutheran Social Services and were very active in refugee programs. Jim also visited Mexico and the Middle East as part of church missions. Another of Jim's loves was his annual portrayal of Santa Claus at the Fargo Park District's Santa Village. He was a past recipient of the Epsilon Sigma Phi state Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service awards. Jim passed away in September 1997.