BROOKINGS, S.D. — Several South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension professionals were recently recognized for their service, leadership and diversity in educational programming at the annual Fall Conference held Oct. 26-28 at the Swiftel Center in Brookings.
“It is our honor to highlight the accomplishments of our talented extension professionals,” says Karla Trautman, SDSU Extension Director. “This includes recognizing years of service, achieved rank and promotion, and the acknowledgement of impactful educational outreach that has positively impacted the lives of South Dakota citizens. These professionals are deeply committed to our land grant mission, and we congratulate them for their achievements.”
The following SDSU Extension staff members were recognized for these accomplishments:
Years of Service Awards
Five years of service with Extension:
- Laurie Elmore, 4-H Youth Program Advisor
- Kristi Cammack, Administrative Director of the West River Research and Extension Center in Rapid City
- Sara Bauder, Agronomy Field Specialist
- Katherine Jaeger, 4-H Youth Outdoor Education Field Specialist
- Sean Kelly, Range Management Field Specialist
- Hope Kleine, Health Education Field Specialist
- Aimee Ladonski, Volunteer Development Field Specialist and State Master Gardener Coordinator
- Michelle May, 4-H Youth Program Advisor
- Gared Shaffer, Weeds Field Specialist
- Patrick Wagner, Entomology Field Specialist
- Phoebe Lemke, 4-H Youth Program Advisor
- Patricia Hammond, Tribal Local Foods Program Assistant
Ten years of service with Extension:
- Amanda Stade, 4-H Events Management Coordinator
- Peggy Schlechter, Community Vitality Field Specialist
- Jennifer Ringkob, 4-H Youth Program Advisor
- John Madison, 4-H Youth Program Advisor
- Laura Edwards, State Climatologist
- Ron Frederick, 4-H Youth Program Advisor
Fifteen years of service with Extension:
- Warren Rusche, Assistant Professor and Feedlot Specialist
- Ken Olson, Professor and Beef Specialist
Twenty years of service with Extension:
- Rhoda Burrows, Professor and Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Production Specialist
- Robin Salverson, Cow/Calf Field Specialist
- Heather Gessner, Livestock Business Management Field Specialist
Twenty-five years of service with Extension:
- Diane Bechen, Nutrition Assistant
- Paulette Morse, Senior Secretary
Ten years of service with the State of South Dakota:
- John Green, Information Officer
- Ron Frederick, 4-H Youth Program Advisor
- John Madison, 4-H Youth Program Advisor
- Becca Tullar, 4-H Youth Program Advisor
- Jennifer Voigt, 4-H Youth Program Advisor
Fifteen years of service with the State of South Dakota:
- Ken Olson, Professor and Beef Specialist
- Lindsey Gerard, Educational Technology Coordinator
Twenty years of service with the State of South Dakota:
- Stacy Hadrick, Extension Associate
- Robin Salverson, Cow/Calf Field Specialist
- Sonia Mack, 4-H Youth Program Advisor
- Sharon Klein, Senior Secretary
- Rhoda Burrows, Professor and Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Production Specialist
- Heather Gessner, Livestock Business Management Field Specialist
Twenty-five years of service with the State of South Dakota:
- Diane Bechen, Nutrition Assistant
- Paulette Morse, Senior Secretary
Thirty years of service with the State of South Dakota:
- Jack Davis, Crops Business Management Field Specialist
Professional, University and Extension Awards
Recent promotions:
- Dr. Tong Wang, Advance Production Specialist, received tenure and was promoted to Associate Professor.
- Sara Bauder, Agronomy Field Specialist, was promoted to Field Specialist 2.
- Hope Kleine, Health Education Field Specialist, was promoted to Field Specialist 2.
Awards at the university level or by professional disciplinary association:
- Dr. Emmanuel Byamukama, Assistant Professor and Plant Pathology Specialist, received the F.O. Butler Award for Excellence in Extension/Outreach – awarded at the SDSU Celebration of Faculty Excellence event in March 2021.
- Dr. Bob Thaler, Professor and Swine Specialist, was named Distinguished Professor at the SDSU Celebration of Faculty Excellence event in March 2021.
- Anthony Bly, Soils Field Specialist, received the Excellence in Extension Award from Gamma Sigma Delta, the Honor Society of Agriculture this past year.
- Sara Bauder, Agronomy Field Specialist received the Excellence in Extension and Outreach Award for this past year.
Named to attend the 2022 National Extension Leadership Development cohort, a one-year leadership learning experience hosted by the North Central Region, are:
- Audrey Rider, Early Childhood Field Specialist
- Heidi Carroll, Livestock Stewardship Field Specialist and Beef Quality Assurance Coordinator
SDSU Extension Awards:
- Kari O’Neill, Community Vitality Program Manager, received the Award of Excellence for Diversity Outreach.
- Shelly Cartney, Educational Technology Graphic Designer, received the Spirit of Extension Award.
- Hope Kleine, Health Education Field Specialist, and Megan Erickson, Nutrition Field Specialist, received the Excellence in Teamwork Award.
- The SDSU Extension Crop Hour team received the Excellence in Programming and Outreach Award. Team members are:
- Sara Bauder, Agronomy Field Specialist
- Anthony Bly, Soils Field Specialist
- Adam Varenhorst, Assistant Professor and Field Crop Entomologist
- Philip Rozeboom, Integrated Pest Management Coordinator
- Connie Strunk, Plant Pathology Field Specialist
- Emmanuel Byamukama, Assistant Professor and Plant Pathology Specialist
- Amanda Bachmann, Pesticide Education and Urban Entomology Field Specialist
- Jason Clark, Assistant Professor and Soil Fertility Specialist
- Jack Davis, Crops Business Management Field Specialist
- Matthew Diersen, Professor and Risk/Business Management Specialist
- Laura Edwards, State Climatologist
- Christopher Graham, Assistant Professor and Agronomist
- Paul Johnson, Weed Science Coordinator
- David Karki, Agronomy Field Specialist
- Jonathan Kleinjan, Agronomist
- David Kringen, Water Resources Field Specialist
- Gared Shaffer, Weeds Field Specialist
- Patrick Wagner, Entomology Field Specialist
- John McMaine, Assistant Professor and Water Management Engineer
— SDSU Extension
