Ward County Extension Who We Are

Ward County Extension
North Dakota State University
Minot, North Dakota

Who We Are
The North Dakota State University Extension Service exists to serve the people of North Dakota. The Cooperative Extension System was established in 1914 to address through education critical needs of the public in the areas of agriculture, family and youth. The work of the Extension Service continues to be extremely important to producers, families, community leaders and young people. Extension maintains a unique relationship among federal, state and county constituents. Local input into programs, combined with support and funding from state and federal partners, enables the Extension Service to truly meet the needs of people.

Our Mission
To create learning partnerships that help adults and youth enhance their lives and communities.

Our Funding
Traditional funding of the NDSU Extension Service has been a blend of federal, state and county dollars. In the past few years, grant dollars and agency partnerships have increased. Today, about 23 percent of the budget is comprised of federal dollars, most of which are appropriated funds. In the future, we will have to compete for more of our federal funds. Nearly 44 percent of NDSU Extension Service resources are obtained from the state legislature. And county commissioners support about 20 percent of the Extension budget included in this is a segment of the Extension agents' salaries as well as all operating expenses for county offices. The remainder of Extension funding comes from grants, contracts and partnerships.

Location & Office Hours
Ward County Courthouse, Rm. 101

315 3rd St SE, PO Box 5005
Minot, North Dakota 58702
Office Hours: Monday - Friday; 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Ward County 4-H Achievement Days

June 2004

Front: Emily Tescher-Johnston, Laura Morelli

Back: Gail Slinde, Mike Rose, Trisha Jessen, Holly Arnold, Marie Bonebrake, Lori Scharmer, Deb Register

Ward County Extension Staff

Holly M. Arnold, Nutrition Education Agent and Parent Resource Center Coordinator
Holly joined the Ward County Extension Office in October 2003. She delivers food safety, nutrition and food purchasing programming to food stamp eligible persons on an individual basis and in group settings at social service agencies and schools. Holly received her Child Development/Family Service degree from NDSU. Holly.Arnold@ndsu.edu

Marie Bonebrake, Extension Technician
Marie began working at the Ward County Courthouse with the Auditor’s Office in 1979 and with the Extension Service in 1981. Her work with the Ward County Extension Service is support for the agricultural and horticultural programs, along with administrative and accounting tasks. Before moving to North Dakota, Marie went to college in Minnesota, worked for Northwest Airlines, and then at the University of Minnesota at Morris. Marie’s main area of interest is horticulture.
Marie.Bonebrake@ndsu.edu

Trisha Jessen, Nutrition Education Agent
Trisha joined the Ward County Extension Office in December 2002. She visits with food stamp eligible persons about nutrition, food safety, and budgeting topics. Trish responds to individual concerns and conducts classes at several social service organizations and lower income schools in Ward and Renville County. She received a bachelor of social work degree from Minot State University. Trisha.Jessen@ndsu.edu

Debbie Register, Extension Assistant
Deb began working with the Extension Service in 1981. She provides support for the agents in the 4-H, food and nutrition, and family science program areas. Debra.Register@ndsu.edu

Mike Rose, Extension Agent, Cropping Systems
Mike began work in the Ward County Extension office in January 1998. He has previously worked in Extension offices in Richland, Stark-Billings, and McHenry Counties. He managed the family farm near Langdon from 1978 - 1988. Mike is responsible for educational programs in horticulture, agronomy, and community development. He also has administrative duties for the Ward County Extension office.
Mike.Rose@ndsu.edu

Lori A. Scharmer, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Science (FCS)
Lori received a Bachelors degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from North Dakota State University and her Masters in Family Financial Planning also through NDSU. She began work with Ward County Extension in January 2001 and assumed her present position in October of 2002. Lori provides research-based education and programming in the areas of Foods and Nutrition, Family Financial Management, and Human Development. Lori.Scharmer@ndsu.edu

Gail Slinde, Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development

Gail joined the Ward County Extension Service in January 2000 as the Food and Nutrition Agent and switched to 4-H youth Development in October 2002 so she could spend more time with kids. She is responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of educational programs for all Ward County youth, including those in traditional 4-H programs. Gail received a B.S. degree in Family Consumer Science education from North Dakota State University and is working on a Masters degree in Youth Development through Kansas State University. Her focus areas include life skills development, youth empowerment/leadership and character education. Gail also does programming in the food preservation and food safety areas. Gail.Slinde@ndsu.edu

Emily Tescher-Johnston, Livestock Agent
Emily joined the Ward County Extension Office in January 2001. She is responsible for planning livestock programming and for communicating with the livestock producers about production practices, nutrition, diseases and new research. She also works with county 4-Hers who are enrolled in livestock projects. Emily writes a couple of livestock-related newsletters including, "Fenceline" - for beef producers, and "Horse Happenings" - for horse owners. Previously, Emily has worked in the ag communications field for the American Sheep Industry Association, Flexi-Coil and as a freelance agricultural journalist. She received dual degrees in Agriculture and Mass Communications from North Dakota State University. Emily.Tescher-Johnston@ndsu.edu

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	Holly M. Arnold, Nutrition Education Agent and Parent Resource Center Coordinator Holly joined the Ward County Extension Office in October 2003. She delivers food safety, nutrition and food purchasing programming to food stamp eligible persons on an individual basis and in group settings at social service agencies and schools. Holly received her Child Development/Family Service degree from NDSU. Holly.Arnold@ndsu.edu

	Marie Bonebrake, Extension Technician Marie began working at the Ward County Courthouse with the Auditor’s Office in 1979 and with the Extension Service in 1981. Her work with the Ward County Extension Service is support for the agricultural and horticultural programs, along with administrative and accounting tasks. Before moving to North Dakota, Marie went to college in Minnesota, worked for Northwest Airlines, and then at the University of Minnesota at Morris. Marie’s main area of interest is horticulture. Marie.Bonebrake@ndsu.edu
	Trisha Jessen, Nutrition Education Agent Trisha joined the Ward County Extension Office in December 2002. She visits with food stamp eligible persons about nutrition, food safety, and budgeting topics. Trish responds to individual concerns and conducts classes at several social service organizations and lower income schools in Ward and Renville County. She received a bachelor of social work degree from Minot State University. Trisha.Jessen@ndsu.edu


	Debbie Register, Extension Assistant Deb began working with the Extension Service in 1981. She provides support for the agents in the 4-H, food and nutrition, and family science program areas. Debra.Register@ndsu.edu

	Mike Rose, Extension Agent, Cropping Systems Mike began work in the Ward County Extension office in January 1998. He has previously worked in Extension offices in Richland, Stark-Billings, and McHenry Counties. He managed the family farm near Langdon from 1978 - 1988. Mike is responsible for educational programs in horticulture, agronomy, and community development. He also has administrative duties for the Ward County Extension office. Mike.Rose@ndsu.edu

	Lori A. Scharmer, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Science (FCS) Lori received a Bachelors degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from North Dakota State University and her Masters in Family Financial Planning also through NDSU. She began work with Ward County Extension in January 2001 and assumed her present position in October of 2002. Lori provides research-based education and programming in the areas of Foods and Nutrition, Family Financial Management, and Human Development. Lori.Scharmer@ndsu.edu

	Gail Slinde, Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development Gail joined the Ward County Extension Service in January 2000 as the Food and Nutrition Agent and switched to 4-H youth Development in October 2002 so she could spend more time with kids. She is responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of educational programs for all Ward County youth, including those in traditional 4-H programs. Gail received a B.S. degree in Family Consumer Science education from North Dakota State University and is working on a Masters degree in Youth Development through Kansas State University. Her focus areas include life skills development, youth empowerment/leadership and character education. Gail also does programming in the food preservation and food safety areas. Gail.Slinde@ndsu.edu