Montana State University Extension employees, partners recognized for service

BOZEMAN - Montana State University Extension staff, faculty and partners were recently recognized at an annual MSU Extension conference in Bozeman.

"We are fortunate to have accomplished faculty and staff making a positive impact on the people and places of Montana," said Cody Stone, executive director of MSU Extension. "It is an honor to recognize their contributions through our awards program."

The MSU Extension Director's Office annually recognizes outstanding faculty and staff who attain distinctive success in their chosen field or profession and/or perform outstanding service to their community. Adam Sigler, MSU Extension water quality specialist, received the Innovative Engagement Award for significant and sustained engagement with Montanans on water access, availability and quality. Shelley Mills and Patrick Mangan, MSU Extension agents in Valley County and on the Flathead Reservation, received the Team Award for co-chairing the National Association of County Agricultural Agents meeting with more than 1,200 participants. Allison Kosto, MSU Extension agent in Broadwater County, received the Distinguished Faculty Award; Abiya Saeed, MSU Extension horticulture specialist, received the Early Career Faculty Award; and Jason Killam, MSU Extension accounting associate, received the Distinguished Staff Award.

The following four awards were presented by Montana's Joint Council of Extension Professionals organization.

• The 2025 Silver Buffalo Award went to Dan Clark, director of the MSU Extension Local Government Center, in recognition of 20 years of exceptional service. This award encourages and recognizes excellence for a program in one given field of work and/or a well-rounded county or state Extension program.
• Janelle Barber, MSU Extension agent in Chouteau County, received the Anne Wiprud Memorial Award, which recognizes a staff member with fewer than 10 years of experience for outstanding achievement and accomplishment in a special program or project involving people development.
• The 4-H School Coalition for Youth Mental Health, which includes counselors from Ronan, St. Ignatius and Arlee schools, and community health educators from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, received the Arrowhead Award, which recognizes partners outside of MSU Extension who contribute to strengthening MSU Extension programs and communities.
• Julie Gagnon, MSU Extension administrative assistant in Liberty County, received the Karen Palmer Memorial Award, which honors an exceptional administrative professional whose leadership, collaboration and dedication have elevated the work of Extension across Montana.

The following awards were presented to groups, businesses and individuals by the Montana chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, a national professional development organization comprised of Extension professionals.

• Early Career: Kaleena Miller, Madison-Jefferson County MSU Extension agent
• Mid-Career: Lisa Terry, Glacier County MSU Extension agent
• Meritorious Support: Jason Killam, MSU Extension accounting associate
• Visionary Leadership: Katie Weaver, MSU Extension Community Vitality associate specialist
• Administrative Leadership: Jane Wolery, 4-H Foundation executive director
• Outreach and Engagement Award: Brenda Richey, Flathead Reservation MSU Extension agent
• Distinguished Service Award: Peter Kolb, MSU Extension forestry specialist
• Distinguished Team: Rooted in Montana, Shelley Mills and Inga Hawbaker, MSU Extension agents in Valley County and Daniels County
• Friend of Extension: 4-H Mentoring Program, Sabra Brooks, Tammy Young and Jennifer Cheff

The Montana Association of Extension 4-H Agents awarded Molly Yurdana, MSU Extension agent in Gallatin County, and Mikayla Paul, former MSU Extension agent in Meagher County, the Achievement in Service award for three to six years of service. Ben Hauptman, MSU Extension agent in Granite County, and Kellie Kahtani, MSU Extension agent in Butte-Silver Bow County, were honored with the Youth Development Distinguished Service Award for seven or more years of service. Allison Kosto, MSU Extension agent in Broadwater County, was presented the Meritorious Service Award for 15 or more years of service. Lastly, Sharla Sackman, MSU Extension agent in Prairie County, was recognized for 25 years of service.

The Montana Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences recognized Jeanette Allday, nutrition educator in Sanders and Mineral counties, for innovation in programming with a hybrid approach for the design and implementation of nutrition classes. The Family Health and Wellness Award recognized Brenda Richey, Havila Burton and Tammy Sandberg for their work addressing food insecurity on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Lisa Terry, MSU Extension agent in Glacier County, was the national winner for Montana for Continued Excellence, recognizing her innovative outreach programs for rural communities and Native American reservations, using a collaborative approach to address food insecurity, food safety and youth mental health.

The Montana Association of County Agricultural Agents recognized Kari Lewis, MSU Extension agent in Glacier County, for the Achievement in Service Award. Marc King, MSU Extension agent in Sweet Grass County, received the Distinguished Service Award.