BROOKINGS, S.D. — Two SDSU Extension staff were recognized by the National Association of County Agriculture Agents (NACAA) during the organization’s national conference held in Utah, July 9-13, 2017.
Anthony Bly, SDSU Extension Soils Field Specialist received the 2017 Achievement Award and Connie L Strunk, SDSU Extension Plant Pathology Field Specialist received the 2017 Distinguished Service Award.
“The SDSU Extension team works every day to serve South Dakotans and fulfill the Land Grant mission. I am proud of Anthony and Connie for the national recognition they have received,” said Alvaro Garcia, SDSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Director & Professor.
Learn more about SDSU Extension award winners
The 2017 Achievement Award, which was presented to Anthony Bly, SDSU Extension Soils Field Specialist, recently received, is given to Agents with 10 years or less of service in Cooperative Extension. It is awarded to those who have exhibited excellence in the field of Extension Education.
This award is only presented to 2 percent of the SDSU Extension staff in South Dakota each year.
Bly has served four years as an SDSU Extension Soils Field Specialist. He previously served three years as an SDSU Extension Soils Associate.
His programming areas include soil health and cover crops as well as soil fertility and crop nutrition.
The 2017 Distinguished Service Award, which was presented to Connie L. Strunk, SDSU Extension Plant Pathology Field Specialist, is given to Agents with more than 10 years of service in Cooperative Extension. It recognizes those who have exhibited excellence in the field of Extension Education. (Photo courtesy of iGrow.org)Bly is a native of South Dakota. He currently lives on his family’s century farm near Garretson giving him a special connection to managing and improving agriculture’s most important natural resource, the soil.
The 2017 Distinguished Service Award, which was presented to Connie L. Strunk, SDSU Extension Plant Pathology Field Specialist, is given to Agents with more than 10 years of service in Cooperative Extension. It recognizes those who have exhibited excellence in the field of Extension Education.
This award is only presented to 2 percent of the SDSU Extension staff in South Dakota each year.
As an SDSU Extension Plant Pathology Field Specialist, Strunk focuses on plant disease identification and management.
Strunk’s programming highlights include; the SDSU Integrated Pest Management Field School for Agronomy Professionals, Private & Commercial Applicator Trainings and Certifications/Recertification, SDSU Wheat Walks, hands-on scouting schools, row crop clinics, trainings and workshops for adults and youth.
Strunk has also lead an introduction to agriculture program for elementary students called Field-to-Table and actively promotes women in science.
Strunk has been an active member of the South Dakota Association of Agricultural Professionals since 2006.
She has also served as the NACAA National Committee Chair for the Teaching and Educational Technologies Committee. She currently is serving as the NACAA North Central Region District Director.
— SDSU Extension
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