Retired Stark/Billings County agent Jerry Larson has received the Distinguished Service Award from the North Dakota Crop Improvement and Seed Association. The award was made during the association's 55th annual conference in Bismarck on Feb. 16.
The award recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions to North Dakota agriculture.
Larson was pleased to receive the award because the crop association has been involved with extension work for many years.
"My major responsibility through extension was working with them in the distribution of new grain varieties. I've always recognized the crop improvement board as being the cutting edge of innovations for people involved on the farm," he said.
"I relied on them a lot as a sounding board for program planning. They were always very supportive," he added.
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Larson started his extension career in 1969 as the assistant Burleigh County extension agent. He also worked in Sargent County before becoming the Stark-Billings County extension agent in 1978.
Larson is known for his work with 4-H, agronomy and horticulture. He has served on various crop improvement associations to promote certified seed production in North Dakota.
Larson has served as a mentor to new extension agents. He was a leading force in extension programming throughout southwestern North Dakota.
Since 1993, Larson has coordinated horticulture plantings at the Dickinson Research Extension Center, and uses the center grounds as an outdoor training laboratory for educational programs.
He helped coordinate the shelterbelt renovation and weed control studies and the initiation of a master forestry volunteer program.
He established a Project OWLS learning site at the center through collaboration with Dickinson Trinity High School and Dickinson Hagen Junior High School. The schools submitted a grant, and the funds were used to create mini-wetlands, a dam and interpretive signs.
"Unfortunately, it requires repairs. The dam does leak a little," he said.
Larson is currently employed as the horticulturalist at the Dickinson Research Extension Center.
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"This summer, we are planning to identify what we want to accomplish on the horticulture grounds. We're developing a priority list of potential projects. The final decision is based on resources available," he said.
Larson and his wife Shirley reside in Dickinson.
