SDSU Extension Director Karla Trautman receives a certificate for her 35 years with SDSU Extension from Joseph Cassady, South Dakota Corn Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.
SDSU Extension presents staff and faculty awards during 2023 Fall Conference
BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State University Extension recognized staff and faculty members for achievements in service and educational programming at its annual Fall Conference Sept. 26-28, 2023, at the Ramkota Conference Center in Pierre, South Dakota.
Awards include recognition of SDSU Extension programming and research, promotions and years of service.
“It is exciting to recognize our SDSU Extension professionals and the impactful work that they conduct each and every day,” said Karla Trautman, SDSU Extension Director. “Whether acknowledging years of service to the organization or the creation of innovative programs, it is important to elevate and celebrate the accomplishments of our talented and valued professionals.”
Additional SDSU Extension employees recognized for their accomplishments are listed below. (Click the hyperlink in each award to see photos.)
SDSU Extension Awards
- Aimee Ladonski, SDSU Extension Professional Development Specialist, received the Spirit of Extension Award, which acknowledges an SDSU Extension professional each year who completes their job with professionalism, commitment and optimism. The recipient is creative, dedicated, enthusiastic and a master educator with exceptional customer service skills.
- Megan Jacobson, SDSU Extension Health Promotions Specialist Better Choices Better Health, received the Excellence in Partnership Award.
- Audra Scheel, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Sanborn and Jerauld/Buffalo counties; and Caroline Hansen, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Davison and Hanson counties, received the Excellence in Programming Innovation and Creativity Award for developing the Teen Leadership Academy.
- Debra Lessman, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Deuel County; Lauren Sankey, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Roberts County; Jennifer Ringkob, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Marshall and Day counties; Sara Koepke, 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Grant County; Jodi Loehrer, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Codington County; and Sonia Mack, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Brookings County, received the Excellence in Virtual Program Delivery Award for developing digital programming curricula to help youth develop their babysitting skills.
- Warren Rusche, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Feedlot Specialist, received the Excellence in Research-Based Programming Award for his work in corn silage utilization and hybrid rye feeding for cattle producers.
- Madison Kovarna, SDSU Extension Beef Nutrition Field Specialist; Audra Scheel, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor - Sanborn and Jerauld/Buffalo counties; Christine Wood, SDSU Extension 4-H Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Field Specialist; Sara Koepke, 4-H Youth Program Advisor - Grant County; Anna Tvedt, SDSU Extension Nutrition Field Specialist; and Jennifer Hayford, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor - Lake County, received a Multi-Disciplinary Program Seed Grant for the Beef 2 School project, which will work with school districts to incorporate local beef products into the school lunch program and a beef nutrition education component in the classroom.
- Jennifer Ringkob, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor - Marshall and Day counties; Aubrey Anderson, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor - Minnehaha County; Kara Harders, SDSU Extension Community Vitality Field Specialist; Audrey Rider, SDSU Extension Early Childhood Field Specialist; and Prairey Walkling, SDSU Extension Master Gardener Field Specialist, received a Multi-Disciplinary Program Seed Grant for the Childcare Needs in Rural South Dakota Communities project. The project will conduct needs assessments in rural communities and formulate action plans based on the data from those assessments.
- Anna Tvedt, SDSU Extension Nutrition Field Specialist; Geb Bastian, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Nutrition and Health Specialist; and Kristine Lang, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist, received a Multi-Disciplinary Program Seed Grant Award for the SDSU Extension Local Foods project.
Professional, University and Extension Awards
National Extension Leadership Development 2024 nominees
- Anna Tvedt, SDSU Extension Nutrition Field Specialist
- John McMaine, Griffith Endowed assistant professor and SDSU Extension Water Management Engineer
- Jaelyn Whaley, SDSU Extension Sheep Field Specialist
Recent promotions
- Katherine Jaeger, SDSU Extension Youth Outdoor Education Field Specialist, promoted to Field Specialist II.
- Prairey Walkling, SDSU Extension Master Gardener Field Specialist, promoted to Field Specialist II.
Years of Service with SDSU Extension and/or the state of South Dakota
Five years
- Jason Clark, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Soil Fertility Specialist
- Krista Ehlert, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Range Specialist
- Lindsay Moore, SDSU Extension Community Health and Obesity (HOP) Program Director
- Lori Oster, SDSU Extension Better Choices Better Health Program Director
- Philip Rozeboom, SDSU Extension Integrated Pest Management Coordinator
10 years
- Amanda Bachmann, SDSU Extension Pesticide Education and Urban Entomology Field Specialist
- Anthony Bly, SDSU Extension Soils Field Specialist
- Samantha DeVaney, SDSU Extension Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Program Manager
- Christopher Graham, associate professor and SDSU Extension Agronomist
- John Green, SDSU Extension Educational Technology Production Assistant
- Sara Koepke, 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Grant County
- Janice Rounds, SDSU Extension Administrative Assistant
- Jason Schoch, SDSU Extension Tribal Local Foods Associate
- Barbara Suderman, SDSU Extension Senior Accountant
- Jennifer Voigt, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Meade County
- Christine Wood, SDSU Extension 4-H Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Field Specialist
- Christina Bakker, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Meat Science Specialist
- Jennifer Hayford, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Lake County
- David Kringen, SDSU Extension Water Resources Field Specialist
- Debra Lessman, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Deuel County
15 years
- Connie Tande, SDSU Extension Plant Diagnostician
20 years
- Jodi Loehrer, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Codington County
- Linda Quade, SDSU Extension Family and Community Health Educator
- Russ Daly, professor, SDSU Extension Veterinarian and State Public Health Veterinarian
25 years
- Deanna Gall, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor – Hutchinson and Turner counties
- Kimberly McGraw, SDSU Extension Youth Program Advisor – Clark and Spink counties
35 years