Mary Bartz of Sleepy Eye has been honored as Distinguished Friend of University of Minnesota Extension in recognition for her long-standing commitment to 4‑H and Extension.
The award was presented Sept. 24 by Extension Dean Bev Durgan, who highlighted Bartz's service on the Minnesota 4-H Foundation Executive Committee and her work to launch the new University of Minnesota 4-H Council. She was honored last year as Friend of 4-H in Brown County.
"We want to make the best better, and we indeed want to make a very positive difference," Bartz told an Extension audience at the award ceremony.
Bartz earned a degree in food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota. She went on to oversee the Betty Crocker test kitchens at General Mills and run her own consulting business. She is also a member of Extension's Driven campaign to help the organization build a bright future for young people across Minnesota.