March 1, 2001

Zollinger Wins National Outstanding Extension Award

The Weed Science Society of America has awarded its Outstanding Extension Award to Richard Zollinger, associate professor in the North Dakota State University department of plant sciences and extension service weed specialist.

"For Rich to win this award is really outstanding and he is very deserving of the honor," said Al Schneiter, chair of the plant sciences department. "He has a great relationship with the people of the state and those he works with."

Zollinger joined NDSU in 1990. "In that time span, he has made numerous presentations, prepared 39 bulletins, 104 fact sheets, 208 newsletters and 53 circulars."

According to WSSA spokesperson Joyce Lancaster, the recipient of the award must have been active in extension work four out of the past five years and must devote at least 75 percent of their extension activities to weed science work.

Zollinger also maintains an active research program evaluating existing and emerging weed control options for nearly every crop grown in North Dakota. He is the North Dakota Interregional Research Project-4 Liaison (IR-4) and IR-4 Field Research Director.

The IR-4 program is involved in making sure that pesticides are registered for use on minor crops. IR-4 also conducts research on minor use pesticides that might not otherwise be profitable to manufacture.

Zollinger is an active member of the Western Society of Weed Science and the North Central Weed Science Society.

He obtained his bachelor’s degree in plant science and master’s in weed science from Utah State University. He completed his doctorate in Weed Science at Michigan State University. Zollinger’s former advisor at MSU was also nominated for the Outstanding Extension Award.

The award was recently presented to Zollinger at WSSA’s annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C.

This is not the first Outstanding Extension Award received by members of the plant sciences department. Professors Alan Dexter and Larry Mitich are previous winners.

###

Source: Al Schneiter, (701) 231-8137, albert_schneiter@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, Richard_Mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu