Brad Brummond, NDSU Extension Service agriculture and natural resources agent for Walsh County, is one of two people named the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program's 2016 NCR-SARE Hero.
The award recognizes leadership, vision, contributions and impact in sustainable agriculture in the north-central region, which includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Brummond specializes in organic production and is the primary contact for organic issues at NDSU Extension.
"I have dedicated my professional career to the cause of making the lives of people better, particularly children and underserved audiences," he said. "I also believe that we can and need to protect our environment while maintaining profitability for the producers of our food both big and small. I feel that this honor is affirmation that my efforts to some small degree have been successful on a local, state and nationwide basis, and it is a truly humbling thought."
He has worked with organic and sustainable producers in North Dakota and South Dakota since joining the NDSU Extension Service as a county agent in 1982 after graduating from NDSU with degrees in agricultural education and agricultural Extension. He has served on the North Dakota State Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Advisory Committee for more than 25 years.
As an Extension agent, Brummond has been involved with 4-H youth and is a strong advocate for youth in agriculture. He helped develop NCR-SARE's youth educator grant program.
His other activities include serving as chair of the North Dakota Organic Advisory Board and president of the Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society and North Dakota Association of Extension Agents.
"The NDSU Extension Service is incredibly proud that Brad Brummond has received the Hero award," said Chris Boerboom, NDSU Extension Service director, said. "It validates his years of commitment to serving sustainable agriculture, not only in Walsh County, but to producers and youth across the state."
This year's other Hero is Linda Kleinschmit, who, along with her husband, Martin, operates a 365-acre certified organic rotational grazing, grass-fed beef operation near Hartington, Nebraska.
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