-- BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson has appointed Kenneth Junkert as Plant Industries program manager in the North Dakota Department of Agriculture. The Plant Industries program area includes pesticide enforcement, plant protection, noxious weeds, chemical and feed registration and apiary programs. A Mandan, N.D., native, Junkert graduated from the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., and is completing a master's degree in public administration from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Junkert succeeds Jeff Olson, who resigned to take a position with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in St. Paul. Johnson also announced that Jeff Knudson will succeed Junkert as NDDA's new Executive Services program manager. Executive Services includes marketing, mediation, policy analysis and development, communications and reception. A native of McVille, N.D., Knudson attended Mayville (N.D.) State University before taking over the family farm with his brother. He was hired as a part-time negotiator for the North Dakota Agricultural Mediation Service in 1991, and in 1994, he moved to Bismarck to direct the Farm Management for Profit program. Johnson named him the administrator of AMS in 1997. Knudson has operated a fencing business in Arizona the past two years.
Elmer Howe receives MDA's Good Farm Neighbor Award-- ST. PAUL - Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson says Hutchinson, Minn.-area farmer Elmer Howe has been named the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's "Good Farm Neighbor of the Month" for September. The award honors livestock producers who are good neighbors and caring stewards of the environment. Howe was selected to receive the award based on his exemplary care of his livestock, his erosion control practices and his involvement in the Hutchinson area community. Howe's livestock operation includes 325 head of award-winning Holsteins.
Duane R. Berglund receives national distinguished service award-- FARGO, N.D. - Duane R. Berglund, North Dakota State University Extension Service agronomist, has been given a distinguished service award by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. The award is presented to the top 2 percent of county agents from each state with more than 10 years of service in the Extension Service. The selection is made by the recipient's county agent peers in that state and endorsed by the state Extension Service director. This year, 67 individuals from throughout the United States were presented the award. Berglund earned his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees at NDSU in Fargo. He taught vocational agriculture and was a lab instructor and research assistant while working on his advanced degrees. He was chairman of the agriculture production division at the University of Minnesota in Waseca. He came to NDSU as an extension agronomist in 1977. He was assistant director for agriculture and natural resources in the NDSU Extension Service from 1983 to 1989. He assumed his present position in 1989.
- Agweek Staff and Wire Reports
