INNOVATION IN EXTENSION: North Dakota State University

The following describes an innovation.

Region: North Central

Main contact information for this innovation: Andrew Friskop

Main contact job title / position: Extension plant pathologist

Main contact number: 701-231-7627

Main contact email address:  andrew.j.friskop@ndsu.edu

Innovation name: pest management app

Brief description of innovation as provided in online survey: The app was launched in 2014. It pulls together the pest management resources from the weed, insect and crop disease guides that are annually published by Extension, but it allows for instantaneous updates plus other features.


The following describes an innovation.

Region: North Central

Main contact information for this innovation: John Nowatzki

Main contact job title / position: Ag machine system specialist

Main contact number: 701-231-8213

Main contact email address:  john.nowatzki@ndsu.edu

Innovation name: Unmanned aerial systems

Brief description of innovation as provided in online survey: John Nowatzki is leading NDSU Extension's efforts in UAS applied research and education. North Dakota has on of the six FAA national test sites. Field projects are being conducted to understand potential applications of the sensing/monitoring available through UAS for crop and livestock production plus evaluations of the different air frames that can be used.


The following describes an innovative person.

Region: North Central

Contact information for this innovator: Abbey Wick
Job title / position: Soil health specialist

Contact number: 701-231-8973

Email address: abbey.wick@ndsu.edu

Brief description of innovator as provided in online survey: Abbey Wick leads our soil health team and has really engaged our extension agents in the programming, including "cafe talks" in the counties, training sessions specifically for agents on how they can bring these soil health concepts to their farmers, and the creation of a on-farm demonstration / research site.  She has also used social media and videos. Abbey is currently out on maternity leave.


The following describes an innovative person.

Region: North Central

Contact information for this innovator: Andrew Robinson
Job title / position: Extension potato agronomist

Contact number: 701-231-8732

Email address: andrew.p.robinson@ndsu.edu

Brief description of innovator as provided in online survey: Andrew Robinson has adopted multiple social media platforms to deliver Extension information to his potato clientele. He has a joint appointment between NDSU and the University of Minnesota so it is important for him to be efficient in serving this industry since it spans a large geography.


The following describes an innovative person.

Region: North Central

Contact information for this innovator: Molly Soeby
Job title / position: Extension agent and parent educator

Contact number: 701-780-8229

Email address: molly.soeby@ndsu.edu

Brief description of innovator as provided in online survey: I'll admit that I don't have complete details on the project that Molly is working on, but she is working on a project to fund a mobile trolley that can be used to deliver nutrition education to various sites in Grand Forks County. I wanted to mention Molly because she is being resourceful in seeking the partnerships and grant funding to achieve this unique delivery system and she is doing this at the county level.