People who have given their time and talents to North Dakota State University Extension were recognized at the 2025 NDSU Extension Spring Conference held April 8-10 in Fargo.

NDSU Extension honored both Nancy Nikolas-Maier, director of Adult and Aging Services at the North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services, and Larry Hoffmann, a Cass County farmer, with the 2025 Friend of Extension award. At the same ceremony, the 2024 Friend of Extension award was given to JoAnn Rodenbiker. Marie Hvidsten received the Friend of the North Dakota Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences award.

The Friend of Extension award is the highest recognition for honoring people, businesses or organizations for their support and involvement in Extension efforts.

Nikolas-Maier serves as the director of the Adult and Aging Services Division of the North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services. Nikolas-Maier advocates for making North Dakota a place where the needs of older adults and family members are met and where all North Dakotans can thrive and flourish.

“NDSU Extension has had a long-standing partnership with the Adult and Aging Services Division around mutually shared goals, such as understanding the concerns of older adults and their family members, working to promote aging in place in our rural state and improving the health and well-being of aging adults,” says Lynette Flage, NDSU Extension associate director. “Working with Nikolas-Maier and her team around these mutual goals has helped NDSU Extension expand its reach, and we are grateful to have a friend who supports and strengthens our work to improve of the lives of all North Dakotans.”

Hoffmann is a farmer and rancher from Cass County who raises small grains, soybeans, corn and commercial livestock. Hoffmann is a recognized leader in North Dakota agriculture and has been involved in the Cass County Ag Improvement Association, his local elevator board and the North Dakota Corn Council. Hoffmann’s farm is located in a transition zone between the Red River Valley and the Coteau region, which leads to varying soil types on his land. Hoffmann has hosted an NDSU soil health site and allowed students to conduct soil health evaluations on his farm.

Hoffmann’s family has been involved in 4-H for many years and sponsors local 4-H awards. In spring 2025, he hosted a Stop the Bleed program in his local community. Hoffmann completed two terms on the State Board of Agriculture Research and Education (SBARE).

“Larry has been a strong advocate of Extension programs and has offered valuable input on Extension programming needs,” says Flage.

Rodenbiker has supported NDSU Extension and its programs for many years. She served on the State Board of Agriculture Research and Education from 2010 to 2018 and has been a member of the Rural Leadership North Dakota Council since 2019. She has also served on the NDSU Extension Citizen Advisory Council since its inception in 2018. Rodenbiker testified on NDSU Extension’s behalf at the 2021 legislative session.

“JoAnn’s input and guidance has helped us identify programming needs and respond to the ever-changing needs of North Dakotans,” says Flage.

The North Dakota chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, the oldest and largest association for Extension professionals, sponsors the Friend of Extension awards.

The Friend of the North Dakota Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences award honors a person or organization for significant contributions and support of family and consumer science programs.

Marie Hvidsten has supported NDSU Extension’s family and community wellness agents for over 20 years. She started working for NDSU Extension in October 2002 until retiring from full-time work in August 2021, and she has worked part-time for NDSU Extension since January 2022. She has held multiple roles, including rural leadership specialist and Rural Leadership North Dakota (RLND) program director. Currently, she is the program coordinator for NDSU Extension’s leadership and civic engagement, and Building Tomorrow's Leaders programs.

Hvidsten says she continued working with NDSU Extension work because she believes in empowering North Dakotans to improve their lives and communities through science-based education, and she has enjoyed the variety of work.

“The North Dakota Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences is honored to recognize Marie Hvidsten with this award,” says Dustin Hammond, vice president of public affairs for NDEAFCS. “Her support has allowed us to reach diverse audiences and new partners.”

NDSU Agriculture Communication – April 24, 2025

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

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu