Media Contact: Catherine Dehdashti, U of M Extension (612) 625-0237, ced@umn.edu

U of M Extension honors Rep. Al Juhnke, faculty

ST. PAUL, Minn. (10/8/2009) — University of Minnesota Extension Dean Bev Durgan honored Rep. Al Juhnke (DFL-Willmar) and faculty members who have done exemplary work to strengthen Extension’s impact in Minnesota this week at the organization’s annual conference.

To follow is a list of recipients and awards:

Rep. Al Juhnke, Distinguished Friend of Extension: Juhnke is a University of Minnesota graduate who has served in the Minnesota Legislature since 1996 and chairs the Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Division Committee, among other duties.

“We appreciate Representative Juhnke’s support of Extension and the University,” said Durgan. “Through his leadership, more Minnesotans have access to research-based educational programs in areas such as production agriculture, organic agriculture, locally grown foods and renewable energy.”

Jim Linn, Distinguished Campus-based Faculty: Linn, an Extension animal scientist, is respected nationally and internationally for his knowledge of dairy nutrition and management, according to Durgan.

“Minnesota livestock producers value Jim’s breadth and depth of knowledge and his ability to present complex information in a practical way,” she said.

Linn has developed several successful dairy programs, including the Midwest Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) Consortium that greatly improved the consistency of NIRS forage tests across Midwest forage testing labs. Linn also worked with computer programmers to develop one of the first computerized linear ration balancing programs, “Professional Nutritionist,” which is widely accepted and utilized by dairy nutritionists throughout the Midwest.

Jeff Gunsolus, Distinguished Leadership: Gunsolus, an Extension agronomist, was recognized for demonstrating excellent leadership in the area of weed management and risk assessment for corn and soybean cropping systems.

As program leader for the crops and soils Extension educators, Gunsolus has developed and encouraged specialization within the team, resulting in timely and relevant research-based programs and information that benefit crop producers across the state, according to Durgan.

“Jeff’s leadership results in Extension programs that are highly valued by producers, agriculture professionals and agriculture industries throughout the state,” she said.

Extension Beef Team, Distinguished Team: The Beef Team was recognized for making a difference in Minnesota’s effort to meet the challenges posed by bovine tuberculosis (TB).

“Through their team effort with other state agencies and partners, the Beef Team worked directly with producers in improving herd management and coping with the economic hardship created by the downgrade of Minnesota’s TB status,” Durgan said.

The team serves as an unbiased and accurate source of information, developing, coordinating and delivering educational programs across the state. Team members are: Mike Boersma, Hugh Chester-Jones, Grant Crawford, Alfredo DiConstanzo, Bethany Lovaas, Troy Salzer, Lori Schott, Jim Stordahl, Ryon Walker and Rhonda Wulf.

Extension Horizons Team, Distinguished Diversity and Inclusion: The Horizons Team, now reaching 34 rural Minnesota towns, works with communities to address the goals of poverty reduction and prosperity growth. With funding from the Northwest Area Foundation, the program focuses on communities having populations under 5,000 and poverty rates greater than 10 percent.

“Through the work of the Horizons Team, Extension is reaching a more diverse audience and helping to improve the vitality of rural communities in poverty,” said Durgan.

Program staff are: Cynthia Cohen, Monica Herrera, Susan Hinrichs, Joyce Hoelting, Jessica Peterson, Arnell Sandstrom, Donna Rae Scheffert, Paul Schwarz and Dick Senese. Educators are: Cindy Bigger, Kim Boyce, Lisa Hinz, Jody Horntvedt, Maxine Norman, Ryan Pesch, Barb Radke and Liz Templin.

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