*News Media: A corrected link to photos of award winners is available at the end of the release along with updated information.

Recognizing people who have given of their time and talents to North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension and the NDSU Research Extension Centers (REC) was a focus of this year’s fall conference held Oct. 12-14 in Bismarck.

The following awards were presented: Friends of Extension, Friend of the North Dakota Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, NDSU Extension Communicator of the Year and the Epsilon Sigma Phi Awards.

The Friends of Extension Award recipients were the Sheyenne Valley Technical Rescue Team, Diane Schultz, Barry Medd and former Senator Larry Robinson.

The Sheyenne Valley Technical Rescue Team of Kindred was selected for its support of the farm and ranch safety education program. The team members trained NDSU Extension agents in grain bin safety so that the agents could provide grain bin safety education programs throughout the state. The rescue team also collaborated with NDSU Extension by participating in weekly and monthly farm and ranch safety team meetings to enhance the team’s knowledge and focus on prevention efforts. They also provided legislative testimony to the state legislature in support of Extension’s farm and ranch safety program.

Diane Schultz was recognized for her longstanding support of 4-H equine programs. For over 11 years, Schultz has supported the North Dakota 4-H camping experience by volunteering her time and her horses to the “Wish I Had a Horse” 4-H camp. This camp continually sells out within hours due to its popularity and impact. Schultz offers Morton County youth the opportunity to learn about horses at her ranch, how to ride and life on a ranch.

Barry Medd was recognized for his longstanding support of the Rural Leadership of North Dakota (RLND) Program. Medd provided leadership to the RLND Program by serving as council chairperson the past four years and serving on the RLND Council Executive and Financial Committees. Medd has demonstrated his commitment and support for the RLND Program through his strong advocacy for the program, encouraging North Dakotans to apply to RLND and encouraging and advocating for financial support RLND.

Former Senator Larry Robinson of Valley City was an avid supporter of NDSU Extension and understood the work, mission and the responsibilities to the citizens that Extension serves. Robinson served on the North Dakota Senate from 1989 to 2020. Through his elected office, he served on the Senate Appropriations Committee and was involved with NDSU Extension, the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and NDSU Research Extension Centers. Robinson has been a great friend to Extension through his continued support of Extension’s work to strengthen agriculture, develop youth’s potential and build strong families and communities.

Friend of the North Dakota Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences – Kim Lipetzky. Lipetzky has been a friend of family and community wellness agents and Extension for over 25 years and was instrumental in the development of the original “On the Move” program later known as “On the Move to Better Health.” She also was on the steering committee along with Extension to organize and run the Cass Clay Food Partners and Commission, and she served on the Cass County Advisory Council for several different terms. She recently retired after 33 years in her position with Fargo Cass Public Health.

The NDSU Extension Communicator of the Year award, presented by the NDSU Agriculture Communication Department and North Dakota chapter of the Association for Communication Excellence, was presented to Don Kinzler, NDSU Extension - Cass County agriculture and natural resources/horticulture agent. Don writes two newspaper columns per week for the Fargo Forum, is a guest on two radio shows per week and appears on the North Dakota Today show a few times per month. He receives and answers hundreds of lawn, gardens and trees questions per year and enjoys interacting with clients to solve their problems.

Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP) Awards are presented to those who are dedicated to fostering standards of excellence in the Extension System and developing the Extension profession.

This year’s recipients were:

• Early Career Service Award – Anitha Chirumamilla, Langdon Research Extension Center cropping systems specialist
• Distinguished Service Award – Janet Knodel, NDSU Extension entomologist and professor of entomology
• Meritorious Support Staff Award – Nancy Smith, East and West District Offices administrative assistant

NDSU Extension empowers North Dakotans to improve their lives and communities through science-based education. You’ll find Extension at work in your county, at Research Extension Centers and at the main campus of North Dakota State University.

NDSU RECs enhance the quality of life for all North Dakota citizens with a responsive, flexible and accessible agricultural-based research program that combines the concepts of agricultural research, university Extension, information technology and economic and community development.

*Photos of award winners at the 2021 NDSU Extension/Research Extension Center Fall Conference are located at this link: https://bit.ly/NDSUConferencePhotos.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Oct. 18, 2021

Source: Kristin Harner, 751-231-7875, kristin.harner@ndsu.edu

Editor: Kelli Anderson, 701-231-6136, kelli.c.anderson@ndsu.edu