BROOKINGS South Dakota State University Extension recognized staff and faculty members for achievements in service and educational programming at its annual Fall Conference on Sept. 26-28 at the Ramkota Conference Center in Pierre.
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.
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 adviser Sanborn and Jerauld/Buffalo counties; and Caroline Hansen, SDSU Extension 4-H youth program adviser 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 adviser Deuel County; Lauren Sankey, SDSU Extension 4-H youth program adviser Roberts County; Jennifer Ringkob, SDSU Extension 4-H youth program adviser Marshall and Day counties; Sara Koepke, 4-H youth program adviser Grant County; Jodi Loehrer, SDSU Extension 4-H youth program adviser Codington County; and Sonia Mack, SDSU Extension 4-H youth program adviser 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 adviser 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 adviser Grant County; Anna Tvedt, SDSU Extension nutrition field specialist; and Jennifer Hayford, SDSU Extension 4-H youth program adviser 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 adviser Marshall and Day counties; Aubrey Anderson, SDSU Extension 4-H youth program adviser 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 adviser 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 adviser 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 adviser Lake County
David Kringen, SDSU Extension water resources field specialist
Debra Lessman, SDSU Extension 4-H youth program adviser Deuel County
15 years
Connie Tande, SDSU Extension plant diagnostician
20 years
Jodi Loehrer, SDSU Extension 4-H youth program adviser 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 adviser Hutchinson and Turner counties
Kimberly McGraw, SDSU Extension youth program adviser Clark and Spink counties
35 years
Robert Thaler, Farm Credit Services of America endowed chair in swine production, distinguished professor and SDSU Extension swine specialist
Karla Trautman, SDSU Extension director
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