UMaine Cooperative Extension Faculty Members Earn National Recognition
Contact: Extension Educator Richard Brzozowski, (207) 780-4205
Cincinnati, OH — Two University of Maine Cooperative Extension faculty members were recently recognized for their exemplary work by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA). They were honored at the 2006 NACAA annual meeting and professional improvement conference in Cincinnati in late July. Extension Prof. Rick Kersbergen of Burnham received NACAA’s Distinguished Service Award, and Associate Extension Prof. Mark Hutchinson of South China received NACAA’s Achievement Award.
“Both of these awards are really big deals. This national recognition is quite an accomplishment for these two Extension educators,” says UMaine Extension Prof. Richard Brzozowski, a colleague of Kersbsergen and Hutchinson.
The Distinguished Service Award is given for at least ten years of exceptional service to Cooperative Extension. Winners must have implemented an effective Extension program which includes carrying to completion constructive and outstanding work. With 19 years of service, Kersbergen has had a huge impact on agriculture in Maine. His research has been instrumental in developing the organic dairy industry, with 20 percent of Maine dairies now certified organic. He developed the training manual for the Maine nutrient management program and served as professional development coordinator for the USDA-funded Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education program (SARE). With a background in ruminant nutrition and agronomy, Kersbergen conducts applied research in forage crops that is essential to the success of Maine’s livestock and dairy farmers.
The Achievement Award recognizes excellence in the field of professional Extension work for nominees with less than ten years of service to Cooperative Extension. Hutchinson has responsibilities in agriculture and consumer horticulture. He coordinates the Maine Vegetable School and has led programming in nutrient management for area dairy/livestock operations. As one of the directors of the Maine Compost School, Hutchinson’s work is critical to this internationally acclaimed medium- and large-scale composting training for farmers and municipalities. He also developed Seeds of Change, an educational gardening program at the state prison. The Knox-Lincoln Counties Master Gardener Program has also flourished under Hutchinson’s leadership.
Cooperative Extension is the largest outreach unit of the University of Maine, and helps fulfill UMaine’s land-grant mission by conducting Extension programs in every Maine county.
Photos of Kersbergen and Hutchinson are available upon request. Contact Joe Carr via return email or by calling 581-3571.