Schumacher Receives Extension Award
Carrie Schumacher, interim vice president for academic and vocational education at Fort Peck Community College, has received one of the top awards from Montana State University Extension this year.
Schumacher received the Epsilon Sigma Phi Friend of Extension award, which recognizes a community partner for support of MSU Extension. She has worked with MSU faculty for approximately 18 years, has made effective contribution to aid Extension and research faculty at MSU to deliver culturally relevant programs in partnership with American Indian agricultural producers, agribusinesses and decision makers in Montana reservation communities.
Marc King, MSU Extension agent in Sweet Grass County, received the 2020 Silver Buffalo Award in recognition of 26 years of exceptional service. The award, given by Montana’s Joint Council of Extension Professionals, is MSU Extension’s highest honor. King is known as a well-respected member of the Montana agricultural community and his influence is seen in his work with producers and the agricultural industry. King is particularly known for his work with the livestock judging program in Sweet Grass County, with the Sweet Grass County 4-H Livestock Judging Team recognized as a standout program.
Jackie Rumph, MSU Extension agent in Yellowstone County, received the Anne Wiprud Memorial Award, which recognizes an MSU Extension professional with fewer than 10 years of experience for outstanding achievements. Rumph has been with Extension for six years and has demonstrated achievements in leadership both with clients in her county and among her peers. Her programming has covered a wide variety of topics, from Youth Aware of Mental Health to Grandparents Raising Grandchildren to arthritis exercises for seniors.
The Montana chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, a national fraternity of Extension educators, also awarded the following awards to Extension agents across the state: Richland County Extension agent Josie Evenson won the Montana ESP Early-Career Award (less than 10 years); Katelyn Anderson, agent in Ravalli County, won the Mid-Career Award (10-20 years); Jane Wolery, agent in Teton County, won the Montana ESP Distinguished Service Award; the Diversity Team award went to the Rainbows Over the Rockies team of Deb Albin, Barb Watson, Anne Bauer, Kimberly Richardson, Kelly Moore, Mary Fran San Soucie, Patrick Mangan, Cami Armijo-Grover, Christopher Coburn, JoDee Palin, Tracy Dougher, Alison Brennan, Amy Strader, Allie Zanieri-Hale, Jenny Jo Allen and Paul Lachapelle; Jackie Rumph, agent in Yellowstone County, won the Diversity Individual award; Fergus/Petroleum County 4-H program assistant Jennifer Saunders won the Meritorious Support Service Award; and Roni Baker, agent in Yellowstone County, won the Continued Excellence Award.
The Montana Association of County Agricultural Agents awarded the Distinguished Service Award for 10 or more years of service to Tim Fine, Extension agent currently serving in Richland County. The Achievement Award for less than 10 years of service went to Ben Hauptman of Granite County.
The Montana ESP Visionary Leadership Award was given to Marsha Goetting, family economics specialist, in recognition of her expertise in financial planning and estate planning and her advocacy for educating families about the special attention that is necessary when estate planning for a loved one with dementia.
The Montana Association of Extension 4-H Agents awarded Janell Barber, an agent in Chouteau County, and Scott Francis, 4-H outdoor education coordinator, the Achievement in Service award for three to six years of service. In addition, Wendy Becker and Brett Schomer won the 4-H Center for Youth Development Distinguished Service award for seven or more years of service, and Mandie Reed from Wheatland County won the Meritorious Service award for 15 or more years of service.
The Montana Association of Community Development Extension Professionals awarded the Community Impact Award to Julie Riley, agent in Powder River County, for her work in improving community health with establishing the Powder River Trails.
