MEDIA RELEASE
October 31, 2002
Written By Kent Thiesse, U of M Extension Service
(507-389-8141)
"Winning The Game" Receives Extension Honors
The "Winning The Game" grain marketing education program was awarded the Extension Service "Teamwork Award" by both the Minnesota Association of Extension Educators and the Epsilon Sigma Phi Professional Extension Service Fraternity at the annual Extension Service Program Summit on October 23rd. The "Winning The Game" program reached nearly 5,000 grain producers across Minnesota with educational information on pre-harvest strategies for marketing grain.
A Team of Extension Service Educators conducted approximately 85 grain marketing workshops over a two year period. The University of Minnesota Center for Financial Management Specialists developed the software and teaching materials for the Program. The Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council provided considerable financial support for the development and delivery of this major grain marketing program. Other cooperating sponsors included the Minnesota Corn and Wheat Research and Promotion Councils, Minnesota Farm Bureau, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and the MNSCU Farm Business Management Programs. Several local sponsors also provided funding for the local workshops.
The individuals that were honored with the Teamwork Awards included: Jim Palmer and Mike Youngerberg, Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council; Bob Craven, Kevin Klair, and Ed Usset, U of M Center For Financial Management; Rod Hamer, U of M Extension Program Coordinator; Brian Pfarr and Collin Berg, MNSCU Farm Business Management Program. The Team also included Extension Service Educators Tim Arlt, Steele County; Paul Carr, Faribault County; Zach Fore, Northwest District; Gary Hachfeld, Nicollet County; Craig Haugaard, Swift County; Kirby Hettver, Stevens County; David Nelson, Renville County; Fraser Norton, Rock County; Bret Oelke, Grant County; Dave Resch, Scott County; Kent Thiesse, Blue Earth County; Gene Tinker, Southeast District; Erlin Weness, Southwest District; and Marv Zylstra, Cottonwood County.
The "Winning The Game" grain marketing program has been revised for 2002-2003 and will be offered again this Winter throughout Minnesota. Contact your local County Extension Office for more details.
The University of Minnesota Extension Service is an equal opportunity educator and employer.