U of M Extension Dean Bev Durgan honors 2024 distinguished friend, teams and individuals

Thom Petersen, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner

Distinguished Friend of Extension

Thom Petersen has been Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture since 2019, but his support of Extension extends back for many years. 

Commissioner Petersen is a longtime resident of Royalton Township near Pine City,  where he and his family live on a horse farm. He has spent much of his life working as a family farmer and has a wide range of experience working in state and federal farm policy. As commissioner of one of Minnesota’s largest agencies, he travels to almost every county in Minnesota each year to fully understand how these policies affect farmers’ daily lives. His work with Extension includes serving as a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee as well as collaborating on other initiatives that affect agriculture and rural life, and as a volunteer and parent in 4-H and other Extension programs. Commissioner Petersen received his associate degree from Normandale Community College and studied at both the University of Minnesota and University of Georgia. The Commissioner and his wife, Alana, live in Pine City with their two sons. The Petersens show horses around the state and have competed at the Minnesota State Fair for over 25 years.

Brad Heins, dairy specialist

Distinguished Extension Faculty

In the dairy community, Brad Heins is well-known for his forward-thinking and innovative Extension and research programs. He combines excellence in traditional, in-person programming and extends his impact through a portfolio of digital and print media that includes webinars, workshops, YouTube, social media and on-farm demonstrations. He also is a co-creator and host of the popular podcast “The Moos Room,” which is now heard in 27 countries. His Extension and research programs focus on dairy production and profitability, genetics and crossbreeding of dairy cattle, calf rearing, renewable energy for dairy production systems, and organic and pasture-based dairy production. He conducts applied research in response to the needs of the dairy industry and sets himself apart from other faculty by approaching research and Extension programming in a holistic way. This approach allows him to address complex, researchable questions about critical issues and allows him to find highly impactful solutions to these issues. 

Serdar Mamedov

Distinguished Extension Educator

Serdar Mamedov is dedicated to advancing Extension's mission through innovative and inclusive initiatives that help address the needs of Minnesota’s diverse communities. His efforts in developing sustainable local food systems, particularly in halal and kosher markets, have benefited local farmers and bridged cultural gaps within the community. For example, he recognized the unmet demand for Minnesota-produced halal and kosher meats and the cultural significance of goat meat in Somali cuisine. So he partnered with agencies, farmers, businesses and faith communities to promote sustainable local goat farming and reduce reliance on imported, lower-quality frozen meat. This initiative supported local agriculture and provided the Somali community with culturally relevant food options. This is just one example of Mamedov’s dedication and innovative approach to solving complex problems and his unwavering support for Extension’s educational mission. 

Rick Meyer, Brainerd Regional Office

Distinguished Staff

Rick Meyer came to Extension five years ago after a long career as a teacher and IT professional. The knowledge he developed in those fields has helped him become an exemplary member of the regional administrative support team. Meyer understands the educational process so is able to help bridge gaps between Extension educators and technology and communications systems. He brings determination and practical knowledge to help program teams navigate Extension’s processes and create effective educational programming. Rick treats all people with respect and is always eager to implement the best solution possible. He is known as a calm problem-solver who is not afraid to take on challenging and complex assignments. Meyer has a love of nature and the natural world and has been a Master Naturalist for many years as well as an instructor at the Northland Arboretum in Brainerd.

Joyce McGee-Brown, senior health and wellness coordinator

Distinguished Program Staff

Joyce McGee-Brown has shown incredible dedication to her program, her team and her community in the 30 years she has worked for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. McGee-Brown has cultivated numerous enduring relationships for EFNEP in the Twin Cities, spanning community centers, schools, churches and wellness organizations. She also collaborates across Extension, including 4-H, Master Gardeners, Cooking Matters, and SNAP-Ed. She is an active participant in the University of Minnesota Extension African American Affinity Group and the Urban Ag Initiative and a champion for the Taste of African Heritage nutrition curriculum. Last year, McGee-Brown became an EFNEP Lead Health and Wellness Coordinator, where she mentors less-experienced health and wellness coordinators. She has created a space for them to learn and grow while ensuring the integrity of the program.  EFNEP is better because she is part of it, and those who witness her work remain impressed by her dedication to community and community members’ lifelong health.

4-H Plant Science Team

Distinguished team

For more than 120 years, Minnesota 4-H has offered 4-H plant science projects to youth, but until 2018, the program had not been updated in decades and was not  attracting many young people. Since then, the 4-H plant science team, in collaboration with educational and industry partners, has redesigned learning opportunities for youth and volunteers. The program now includes everything from understanding crop production and plant biology to exploring cutting-edge agricultural research. Participants take part in county fairs, field tours, Farmfest and the State Fair as well as an on-campus agronomy day and a statewide crop scouting event, and they can become statewide Ag Ambassadors. This collaborative effort, now active in 85 of Minnesota’s 87 counties, strengthens the 4-H program and helps cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders. 

The 4-H Plant Science team is led by Extension educators Brian McNeill, and Anja Johnson, and Extension team members include  Kirstin Koch, Patrick Jirik, Mary Ann Keddie, Dave Nicolai and Toni Sankey. 

H5 Working Group

Distinguished team

In March 2024, a Minnesota goat tested positive for H5N1, a highly pathogenic influenza virus. Immediately grasping the fallout if H5N1 were to spread, or cross to different species, a diverse group of Extension experts formed and mobilized. Their goals were to assemble and share science-based data and practical disease mitigation strategies; to nimbly communicate resources for diverse audiences through multiple channels, and to network with any Extension group who required support in responding to the crisis. Over the next few months, the group emerged as a trusted source of science-based, practical information. It advised key agencies and organizations as well as working in concert with Extension communications colleagues to share information with the public. The group coalesced into this formidable resource in only 4 months, during an active and evolving disease event. They became the epitome of how a team should function during a livestock disease outbreak. And in doing so, they exemplified a strength of University of Minnesota Extension - they recognized a problem and formed an effective team of experts to address it using science. 

Team members include Extension educators Abby Schuft, Joe Armstong, Sarah Boelke, Diane DeWitte, Sabrina Florentino, Isaac Haagen and  Travis Hoffman as well as Extension swine specialist Lee Johnston and College of Veterinary Medicine colleagues Carol Cardona, Marie Culhane and Tim Goldsmith. 

African American Affinity Group

Distinguished Diversity and Inclusion

The African American Affinity Group’s Black History Month celebration, begun in 2023, highlights the contributions and legacy of African Americans in Minnesota and the broader United States. The celebration includes speakers, music, food, education and discussions that demonstrate the richness of African American culture while engaging colleagues and the community. The affinity group has demonstrated exceptional commitment to celebrating and uplifting the African American community through this event. Their efforts not only honor the past but also inspire hope for the future, making a lasting impact on all who attend the event. This award recognizes the team’s outstanding dedication to community engagement, cultural education, health and wellness, and the promotion of diversity and inclusion. 

The affinity group leadership team includes Joyce McGee-Brown, Ashley Purry, Tonia Brinston, Sharmyn Phipps and Michael Stratten. 

Men and Fathers Project

Distinguished staff team

Extension’s health and nutrition programs reach participants from diverse communities throughout the state, but the majority of the adult participants are women. Despite the programs’ focus on strengthening families, few men and fathers took part. The Men and Fathers program began four years ago as a way to close that gap. The statewide program tailors its curriculum to the geographic area and the particular needs of the low-income men and fathers in the group. 

Participants are introduced to physical activities they can do with their kids in nature while making healthy food and building social connections. Most participants are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and many are recent immigrants. These men are from communities that historically had strong ties to nature, but systemic barriers and societal norms have contributed to making nature and the outdoors inaccessible to them. Through partnerships with parks staff, the Men and Fathers Program has intentionally helped BIPOC communities reclaim their ties to nature through group activities such as canoeing, hiking, fishing, camping and bicycling. 

The Extension Men and Fathers team includes leaders Thao Pham, Michael Stratten and Donna Anderson as well as Lani Xiong, Angelica Pena, Isaiah Joans, Joyce McGee-Brown, Trip Haggenmiller, Jonah Udall and Kloh Phillips, Jimmie Johnson and Belkis Santiago; and Hyunjun Kim.