Submitted Photo Mark Birdsall of Berthold received NDSU’s Friend of Extension award. From left are Lynette Flage, associate director of NDSU Extension; Shana Forster, NDSU Extension district director and North Central Research Extension Center director; Birdsall and Greg Lardy, vice president of NDSU Agricultural Affairs. Photo from NDSU.

FARGO – Mark Birdsall of Berthold and Tracy Boe of Mylo were recognized recently by North Dakota State University with Friend of Extension awards. They and others who have given their time and talents to Extension and the NDSU Research Extension Centers were honored at this year’s fall conference held Oct. 24-26 in Fargo.

The Friend of Extension award is the highest recognition presented to honor individuals, businesses or organizations for their support and involvement in Extension efforts.

Birdsall was appointed to the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education (SBARE) by the North Dakota Ag Coalition in 2014. He served two terms, including one as chair. His work on SBARE helped support initiatives to fund Extension specialist positions, enhance web and digital delivery and establish programs in ag health and safety and big data.

“As the chair of SBARE, Mark was a positive champion for NDSU agriculture,” said Lynette Flage, associate director of NDSU Extension. “In addition, Mark grew up in 4-H and the values and lessons learned during his youth inevitably helped him become the leader he is today.”

Boe served in the North Dakota House of Representatives from 2003 to 2022. His work as a member of the House Appropriations Education and Environment Committee supported NDSU Extension and the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station budgets through the legislative process each biennium. Boe also served as a legislatively appointed member of SBARE, providing expertise to the board during listening sessions and helping to determine priorities for NDSU Extension and research.

Rich Wardner of Dickinson, who served in the North Dakota Senate from 1999 to 2022 and House from 1991-98, also received a Friend of Extension award.