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.
This year’s event was Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, 2024, in Spearfish. 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.”
SDSU Extension employees recognized for their accomplishments are listed below. (Click the hyperlink in each award to see photos.)
SDSU Extension Awards
- Samantha Schlaffman, SDSU Extension Better Choices, Better Health Program and Volunteer Coordinator, received the Spirit of Extension Award, which goes to an SDSU Extension professional who leads through action and creates a positive working environment with encouragement, commitment and optimism.
- Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist, and Audra Scheel, SDSU Extension 4-H Educator for Sanborn and Jerauld/Buffalo counties, received the Creativity in Service to All South Dakotans Award for creating a multidisciplinary program to teach youth about livestock artificial insemination.
- Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension Livestock Business Management Field Specialist, received the Excellence in Virtual Program Delivery Award for her free monthly webinar series, Ag Economics Dialogues, which provides timely information to producers and agricultural industry professionals.
- Anthony Bly, SDSU Extension Soils Field Specialist, and Matthew Diersen, Griffith Endowed Professor and SDSU Extension Risk and Business Management Specialist, received the Excellence in Research-Based Programming Award for the Every Acre Counts program, which helps enrolled producers manage marginal cropland.
- Sara Bauder, SDSU Extension Forage Field Specialist, received the Excellence in Partnership Award for her role in helping to form the Northern Plains Forage Association.
- Amanda Stade, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth In Action Program Manager; Madison Kovarna, SDSU Extension Beef Nutrition Field Specialist; and Kara Harders, SDSU Extension Community Vitality Field Specialist, were named to the 2024 National Extension Leadership Development cohort.
Recent promotions
- Jenae Hansen-Gross, SDSU Extension 4-H Volunteer Development Field Specialist, promoted to Field Specialist 2.
- David Karki, SDSU Extension Agronomy Field Specialist, promoted to Field Specialist 3.
Years of Service with SDSU Extension and/or the state of South Dakota
Five years
- Regina Bakley, SDSU Extension Program Manager, Regional Youth Educator
- Jenaya Brengle, SDSU Extension 4-H Educator – Hutchinson County
- Erin Christofferson, SDSU Extension Administrative Assistant
- Jimmy Doyle, SDSU Extension Diversified Agriculture Field Specialist
- Charity Freeman, SDSU Extension Family and Community Health Educator
- Jenae Hansen-Gross, SDSU Extension 4-H Volunteer Development Field Specialist
- Bryce Lawrence, SDSU Extension Family and Community Health Educator
- Erin McGlumphy, SDSU Extension 4-H Educator – Fall River County
- Tim Tanner, SDSU Extension State 4-H Program Director
- Xufei Yang, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Environmental Quality Engineer
10 years
- Andrea Bjornestad, associate professor and SDSU Extension Mental Health Specialist
- Matthew Elliott, SDSU Extension Agribusiness Specialist
- Megan Jacobson, SDSU Extension Chronic Disease Management Field Specialist
- Nathania Knight, SDSU Extension Family and Community Health Associate
- Matthew Knippling, SDSU Extension Educational Technology Officer
- Hilary Kroupa, SDSU Extension Program Manager and Regional Youth Educator
- Maristela Rovai, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Dairy Specialist
- Samantha DeVaney, SDSU Extension SNAP-Ed and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education (EFNEP) Program Manager
- Kristi Cammack, Assistant Dean of West River Operations and Director of SDSU West River Research and Extension
- Nathan Skadsen, SDSU Extension 4-H Educator – Minnehaha County
15 years
- Lindsey Gerard, SDSU Extension Educational Technology Content Manager
- Rachel Chamblin, SDSU Extension 4-H Program Assistant
- Christine Wood, SDSU Extension 4-H Science Technology Engineering and Math Field Specialist
20 years
- Lorna Saboe-Wounded Head, SDSU Extension Family Resource Management Field Specialist
- Audrey Rider, SDSU Extension Early Childhood Field Specialist
- Vickie Prussman, SDSU Extension Administrative Assistant
- David Karki, SDSU Extension Agronomy Field Specialist
25 years
- Matthew Diersen, Griffith Endowed Professor and SDSU Extension Risk and Business Management Specialist
- Kimberly McGraw, SDSU Extension 4-H Educator – Clark and Spink counties
- Connie Strunk, SDSU Extension Plant Pathology Field Specialist
