People who have given their time and talents to North Dakota State University Extension and the NDSU Research Extension Centers were recognized at this year’s fall conference held Oct. 24-26 in Fargo.

NDSU Extension honored Mark Birdsall, former North Dakota Rep. Tracy Boe and former North Dakota Sen. Rich Wardner with the Friend of Extension award. The North Dakota Nutrition Council received the Friend of the North Dakota Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences award.

The Friend of Extension award is the highest recognition presented to honor individuals, businesses or organizations for their support and involvement in Extension efforts. The Friend of the North Dakota Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences award honors an individual or organization for significant contributions and support of family and consumer sciences programs.

Mark Birdsall has been a dedicated supporter of NDSU research and Extension activities. He was appointed to the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education (SBARE) by the North Dakota Ag Coalition in 2014. He served two terms, including one as chair. His work on SBARE helped support initiatives to fund Extension specialist positions, enhance web and digital delivery, and establish programs in ag health and safety and big data.

“As the chair of SBARE, Mark was a positive champion for NDSU agriculture,” says Lynette Flage, associate director of NDSU Extension. “In addition, Mark grew up in 4-H and the values and lessons learned during his youth inevitably helped him become the leader he is today.”

Boe served in the North Dakota House of Representatives from 2003 to 2022. His work as a member of the House Appropriations Education and Environment Committee supported NDSU Extension and the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station budgets through the legislative process each biennium. Rep. Boe also served as a legislatively appointed member of SBARE, providing expertise to the board during listening sessions and helping to determine priorities for NDSU Extension and research.

“Rep. Boe’s presence on SBARE helped shape NDSU Extension’s priorities and programming, and his support in the legislature helped ensure that we had the resources to do so,” says Flage.

Wardner served in the North Dakota Senate from 1999 to 2022 and the North Dakota House of Representatives from 1991 to 1998. Through his 30 years of service to the North Dakota Legislature, he has supported education, infrastructure and agriculture. He advocated for the legislative funding of the two new agriculture facilities at NDSU, the Peltier Complex and the agricultural field laboratory. The Peltier Complex will house NDSU’s food science, meat science and cereal science laboratories and create opportunities for collaboration in support of all North Dakota agricultural commodities. The agricultural field laboratory will provide NDSU’s scientists with the space, equipment and technology to support plant breeding, agronomy, weed science, plant pathology and natural resource sciences.

“Sen. Wardner has been an impactful supporter of Extension and research, advancing agricultural initiatives and expanding essential infrastructure that supports agricultural research and education,” says Flage.

The Friend of Extension awards are sponsored by the North Dakota chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, a professional association for Extension professionals.

The purpose of the North Dakota Nutrition Council is to improve the nutritional health of North Dakotans through the promotion of accurate and current nutrition information, and to support nutrition professionals in their roles as educators and health advocates. The council is a long-time collaborator of NDSU Extension, providing annual training and leadership opportunities for family and consumer sciences professionals. Mini grants from the council have supported NDSU Extension programming across the state, including the On the Move Cooking and Baking Schools for youth.

“The North Dakota Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences is honored to recognize the North Dakota Nutrition Council with this award,” says Erin Berentson, president of the association and NDSU Extension agent. “Their support has allowed us to reach diverse audiences and new partners.”

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Oct. 27, 2023

Source: Lynette Flage, 701-231-7782, lynette.flage@ndsu.edu

Editor: Elizabeth Cronin, 701-231-7881, elizabeth.cronin@ndsu.edu