North Dakota State University Extension Service staff were honored at the recent Extension/Research Extension Center fall conference in Fargo.

Epsilon Sigma Phi Extension Honorary Awards

• Meritorious Support Service Award – Kari Presler, administrative assistant, Morton County, Mandan
• Early Career Service Award – Marie Hvidsten, rural leadership specialist
• Distinguished Service Award – Kathleen Tweeten, Center for Community Vitality director and community economic development specialist, Bismarck
• Continued Excellence Award – Duane Hauck, retired Extension Service director, Fargo
• Visionary Leadership Award – Lynette Flage, northeast Extension district director, Cavalier
• Administrative Leadership Award – Jay Fisher, Fort Berthold Extension district director and North Central Research Extension Center director, Minot
• Distinguished Team Award – Be Sun Savvy: Reduce Your Risk for Skin Cancer – Julie Garden-Robinson, food and nutrition specialist, NDSU; Peggy Anderson, Burke and Divide County Extension agent; Mary Froelich, Williams County Extension agent; Bill Hodous, Ramsey County Extension agent; Dena Kemmet, Mercer County Extension agent; Lionel Olson, Grand Forks County Extension agent; Calli Thorne, McKenzie County Extension agent
• Friends of Extension – Allan and Leah Burke, owners, publishers and editors of the Emmons County Record, Linton; Julie and Chad Ellingson, North Dakota Stockmen’s Association executive vice president (Julie) and ranch family, St. Anthony; Michael O’Keeffe, chief executive officer, Farm Credit Services of Mandan

Program Excellence Awards Sponsored by Farm and Ranch Guide

• Grow It, Try It, Like It! – Jean Noland, Extension agent, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program; Carrie Knutson, Extension agent, 4-H youth development; Donna Bernhardt, Extension Agent, family and consumer sciences; Linda Kuster, nutrition education assistant, Family Nutrition Program; Katie Johnke; Betsy Thompson; Jennifer Krieger; and area Boy Scouts, all of Grand Forks County
• Horticulture and Forestry Training for Extension Agents – Joe Zeleznik, Extension forester, NDSU; Steve Sagaser, Grand Forks County horticulture Extension agent; Jackie Buckley, Morton County agriculture and natural resources Extension agent; Tom Kalb, Extension horticulturist, Bismarck; Todd Weinmann, Cass County Extension horticulturist; Esther McGinnis, Extension horticulturist, NDSU; and Kim Holloway
• Outdoor Activities for Youth: An Outreach Opportunity – Kari Helgoe, family and consumer sciences Extension agent, Walsh County; Tara Sondeland, Family Nutrition Program Extension agent, Walsh and Pembina County; Samantha Lahman, agriculture and natural resources Extension agent, Pembina County; Helen Volk-Schill, family and consumer sciences Extension agent, Pembina County; Amy Chally, administrative assistant, Walsh County; Marty Eggeland; Travis Bennett; Kori Hodek; Tim Hodek; and Gary Rankin
• Teens Serving Food Safety – Julie Garden-Robinson, food and nutrition specialist, NDSU; Kimberly Beauchamp, food safety/food entrepreneur specialist, NDSU; Stacy Wang, Extension associate, NDSU; and Scott Swanson, electronic media specialist, NDSU

Communicator of the Year sponsored by the Agriculture Communication Department and Association for Communication Excellence

• Glenn Muske, Extension rural and agribusiness enterprise development specialist, Bismarck

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Nov. 8, 2013