Epsilon Sigma Phi, the NDSU Extension honorary organization, presented awards during the North Dakota State University Extension/Research Extension Center fall conference held Oct. 22-24 in Fargo.

Honored were:

Friends of Extension

• North Dakota Association of Counties (NDACo) and North Dakota County Commissioners Association (NDCCA) -- After experiencing a reduction in state funding for NDSU Extension, NDACo and NDCCA were instrumental in the legislature restoring state funding to 2017 levels.
• Tom Knudsen, retired vice president of agriculture at Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative in Wahpeton -- Throughout his career, Knudsen supported NDSU Extension by collaborating with faculty and encouraging sugarbeet growers to participate in Extension seminars, research tours and meetings.
• The Farm Forum – This Aberdeen, S.D.–based publication prints many NDSU Extension news releases and columns plus encourages writers to participate in and cover NDSU Extension programs.

Meritorious Support Service Award -- Robbi Hopkins, administrative assistant, NDSU Extension - Ransom County

Early Career Service -- Angie Johnson, Extension agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources – Steele County

Mid-Career Service -- Meagan Scott Hoffman, assistant professor and youth development specialist, Center for 4-H Youth Development

Distinguished Service -- Marcia Hellandsaas, Extension agent, Family and Community Wellness, McKenzie County

Visionary Leadership -- Julie Garden-Robinson, professor and NDSU Extension food and nutrition specialist

International Service -- Marie Hvidsten, Rural Leadership North Dakota program director and NDSU Extension rural leadership specialist

Distinguished Team -- North Dakota Soil and Water Conservation Leadership Academy: Bruce Schmidt, Andrea Bowman, Jodi Bruns, Lynette Flage, Marie Hvidsten, Katelyn Hain and Jim Collins

Greg Endres, NDSU Extension cropping systems specialist and ESP president-elect, presented the awards.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Oct. 25, 2019