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2003
Alpha Psi Chapter
ESP Distinguished Service Award Dr. Roger Brook retired from Michigan State University Extension in the spring of 2002 after 25 years of outstanding service to MSU and Extension. He was responsible for grain/potato storage management and grain drying technology during his career with the Department of Agricultural Engineering. But he will long be remembered for the fact that he was an early and active advocate of the use of the personal computer for agricultural applications and helped introduce computers to many farm, office and professional functions in the early 1980’s. Over the years he created a number of educational efforts to support computer applications, such as the “Computer Survival Handbook for Farmers and Ranchers” printed in 1984. He was a member of the award winning Agricultural Computer Expo in 1988. Throughout the latter part of his career he was a leader within the profession and within Extension in the development of web-based and web-enabled computer applications. Even in his retirement, Roger continues to serve as web master for the Michigan Council of Extension Associations, Michigan’s Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi and a number of civic organizations and small business firms. Roger has devoted his entire career to adopting and transferring the latest in technology which meant moving agriculture and the Extension system into the cyber era. It is most fitting that this leader be recognized for his career long commitment to the land grant tradition.
ESP Visionary Leadership Award Joe Lessard represents the consummate “Extension” professional. He has held numerous roles in Extension including county agent, county director, regional supervisor, program leader and has even served in academic roles within the college. He epitomizes the lifelong learner--seeking higher education degrees, exploring new roles, learning from both experience and study, and benefiting from a number of leadership commitments within and outside Michigan. Joe provides strong and empowering leadership to his own county team and to every committee on which he serves. He is insightful, objective and reflective—all characteristics of professional scholars. He is also visionary and futuristic—analyzing situations and thinking outside the “box” as he explores ideas and solves problems. Joe is tenacious as he works toward a goal and models the extension traditions of “hard work” and “integrity”. Recently he has served as chair of the ESP Professional Development Committee and has been tireless in creating a vision within the group and then systematically working to implement the complex agenda generated. One especially unique contribution of this process was the introduction of the concept, “Master Extension Educator”, a designation to recognize outstanding skill and programming within extension. This concept has been developed, widely reviewed and approved for implementation thanks to Joe’s persistence and leadership. Joe is a leader among his peers and a visionary leader for Michigan State University Extension.
ESP Meritorious Service Award Joanne Pihlaja, County Extension Director, Gogebic County and Regional Coordinator for the Family Nutrition Program (FNP) has worked with MSU Extension since 1989. She began her career with the unusual assignment of serving as Extension Home Economist for Gogebic County, Michigan and Iron County, Wisconsin. Throughout her tenure with MSU Extension, Joanne has provided leadership for a variety of county, regional, and state programs/projects in parenting, health and nutrition and community leadership development.. At the regional and state level, she has worked with the Family Nutrition Program, and with the Food, Nutrition, and Health Area of Expertise team. Joanne is a true leader, providing guidance and support for colleagues and staff. At the county level she was instrumental in obtaining and annually maintaining over $20,000 in funding for the Building Strong Families Program and the Welcome Newborn Project. She works with a multitude of county agencies and partnerships including the Lac Vieux Desert Tribal community and serves as vice-chair of the Gogebic/Ontonagon Human Services Coordinating Board. She is a wonderful team leader for FNP in the UP, working closely with faculty and staff to arrange professional development training and setting high standards for the FNP in the region. In 2002, Joanne served as co-chair of the workgroup on the Food, Nutrition and Health AoE that developed the “Healthy Weight for Children” educational material that was recognized by the National Association of Family and Consumer Sciences as an outstanding publication.
ESP International Service Award Renee Applegate joined MSU Extension in February 1989. She is the Gratiot County 4-H Youth Agent. Renee came to Extension through the Program Associate ranks. She served as 4-H Program Associate in Isabella County in the early 80's. Renee has had a lifelong commitment to international work. In 2000, Renee added Michigan State 4-H International Coordinator to her job responsibilities. But this state coordination role was not new to Renee. Renee began her International programming service in 1992 when she visited Poland, her native place, as part of a Home Economics Exchange. Then in 1994 she traveled to Poland with the first group of 4-H members participating in the Michigan-Poland Youth Exchange. She returned in 1995 to teach English language classes to Polish youth coming to the U.S.A. and again in 1996 for six weeks with the Michigan 4-H Foundation to help establish guidelines and structures for the emerging Polish 4-H Foundation in the area of leader training. Again 1998 Renee chaperoned with the Michigan 4-H Exchange delegation. In the meantime, Renee has been actively supporting the Michigan 4-H Foundation’s advocacy for the Polish 4-H program; seeking funding, sharing accomplishments and reaching out to the Polish American Community in Michigan. For the past two years, Renee has coordinated all of the Michigan 4-H Exchange programs. These include Japan, Belize, Jamaica, Mexico, and Poland. Renee has very global perspectives and encourages others—youth, adults, staff and citizens to be involved internationally. She is an excellent ambassador for international programming.
ESP State Team Award The passage of the 2002 Federal Farm Bill gave producers the opportunity to completely update their base commodity payment acreage and payment yields for the first time since 1985, and now had the option to add soybeans to the commodity program. Obviously these changes would have a major impact on Michigan Agriculture. To proactively help producers make decisions about their options, MSU Extension campus and field agents organized a response—the MSUE 2002 Farm Bill Education Program. Key players were Jim Hilker, Marketing Specialist, Roger Betz, District Farm Management Agent SW, and Ray Fast, District Technology Agent SW. Two programming tools were designed—an Excel-based “Farm Bill Analyzer”, and a “Direct and Counter Cyclical Payment Program” (DCCP) sign-up form to indicate options elected. Through working with peer Extension services in Iowa and Texas, clarifying formulas with the USDA and FSA personnel, and organizing public meetings across the state, this team of Agents and Specialists covered the state with training and individualized programming assistance for Michigan Producers. Overall this program reached 4,445 producers and covered 2,888,357 acres saving farmers on the average of $7,393 over the default option. This program illustrates the importance of teamwork in providing up-to-date responses to producers’ needs.
ESP Meritorious Support Service Award Program Associates are critical to Extension’s ability to serve the educational needs of families in a number of program areas. Their ability to identify with very diverse audiences, bring practical knowledge to life and speak with conviction are assets to Extension. But one group of Program Associates deserve special recognition—those who pioneered Extension programming with the Family Nutrition Program and the Mother-to-Mother Breastfeeding Initiative in 1993-94. Fourteen individuals belong to this group of Charter Program Associates…Stephanie Bruno, Cecille Chapman, Alma Crowley, Shari Dickson, Awilda Dominguez, Margaret Ervin, Ginny Girard, Marie Harju, Lorelei Hunt, Bonnie Lehman, Susan Maxbauer, Gerrylynn McNeal, Donna Miller and Deborah Novak. Some of the attributes that make these individuals outstanding are their ability to develop strong partnerships with local agencies, their service in adapting and shaping lessons to meet the needs of their learners, being creative and resourceful in organizing activities, displays and hands-on exercises, following-up with their learners to reinforce behavior change, working with and motivating youth and serving as role models for others. Michigan State University Extension is proud to recognize the outstanding programming support provided by these Charter Program Associates.
ESP Early Career Award Dennis Pennington is a young Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent currently serving in Barry County. Dennis has only been with MSUE for six years, but his accomplishments reflect a mature, productive career. Dennis is a strong educator working in the areas of field crops but also serving his clientele with farm management expertise. He recently chaired the Field Crops AoE, a leadership role that speaks well for the respect accorded him among his peers. This year he also was honored by his community when he received the Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award from the Barry County Farm Bureau. His outstanding Extension programming includes serious attention to field trials and demonstrations. He was a member of the 2002 Farm Bill Educational Programming, bringing individualized analysis to producers considering participating in the Federal programs. Along with his Extension peers he has been active in working with local leaders to assess possibilities in land-use programming. He worked with his county commissioners in developing the groundwork to participate in the Farmland Preservation Program. In spring 2003 he received a scholarship from Epsilon Sigma Phi to participate in the National Public Issues Leadership Development Program.
ESP Retiree Service Award Earl Threadgould is a role model to all retirees. During his career with MSUE he served as a 4-H youth agent in Ingham County. As president of the MAE4HYS, in 1980, Earl helped facilitate hosting the National Association of 4-H Youth Agents Conference in Michigan. Earl served in the Peace Corp prior to joining Extension and remained dedicated to international study and service. He is fluent in Spanish and often used these skills in service to international programs and assignments. During his career he became intimately involved with a number of community groups and initiatives. Likewise he had a pattern of community service within his home community, Mason, Michigan. He has been active in the Mason Rotary Club and served as President in the past few years. He has just completed a three year term with the Ingham County MSU Extension and MAES Council, which reveals his ongoing commitment to Extension and MSU. Toward the end of his extension career he began a new career—that of truck farmer. He and his wife, Susie, and children, Philip and Tiffany, developed their backyard into an extensive fruit, vegetable and flower garden. They began selling their produce at the Meridian Farmers Market. Well, today, Earl is the “Market Master” and provides leadership to an extensive network of producers and marketers-- making arrangements for the needs of the market, coordinating with other nearby markets, promoting the market with local leaders and stakeholders, and consulting with other communities interested in starting direct sales markets. Earl is using his extension skills to good advantage in his retirement years by continuing to serve his community. Additionally, Earl is active in Epsilon Sigma Phi, having served as the Life Member Chair and successfully reactivated a number of activities with MSUE retirees.
ESP 25 Year Service Awards
Stephen
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