Awards

Awards

Nebraska Extension annually awards outstanding and innovative professionals.  Anyone can nominate an Extension professional. An awards selection committee reviews the nominations and provides a list of recommendations to the Dean and Director.  Awards are announced and distributed during the Nebraska Extension Fall Conference.

ROBERT L. NIELSEN GRADUATE STUDENT AWARD for Excellence in Applied Crop Production Extension

The purpose of this award is to recognize graduate students at UNL who demonstrate excellence in agronomic Extension education through impactful research and outreach activities that benefit Nebraska agriculture. It aims to encourage meaningful engagement in Extension during graduate studies and inspire future careers dedicated to advancing crop production practices. The goal of this award is to foster a new generation of professionals dedicated to advancing agronomic knowledge and practices in Nebraska. This award also recognizes the impactful mentorship and guidance provided by the Faculty Advisor.

This award will provide:

• a minimum of $1,000 to an M.S. or Ph.D. graduate student 
• a minimum of $500 to the graduate student recipient's Faculty Advisor  

Graduate Student Award:

• Graduate students studying applied agronomic disciplines in the academic areas of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Agronomy and Horticulture. 
• Conducting applied field research that seeks to improve the profitability and sustainability of Nebraska's major agricultural cropping systems. 
• Demonstrated evidence of significant involvement with dissemination of information derived from their graduate research project to Extension clientele.

Faculty Advisor Award:

• Automatically awarded to the graduate student recipient's Faculty Advisor.

Required documents:

• Letter of support from major Faculty Advisor
• Letter of support from other Extension specialists or county/regional Extension educators.  

Application is due the end of the day on September 30, 2026

This application is to be jointly completed by the graduate student and their Faculty Advisor. 

Application Form

Excellence in Extension Award

This award recognizes excellence in Extension. Nominations may be for individuals or teams and should focus on one of the following areas of excellence based on values. Describe how the individual or team nominee has excelled in one of the particular value areas. Team nominees should only include individuals who are making significant contributions.

• Uniquely Local:  We are where you are. We are the only team bringing the resources of the University of Nebraska to all 93 Nebraska counties, serving the distinct needs of Nebraskans from all walks of life in every corner of the state.
• Collaborative::  We love working with our fellow Nebraskans. We convene stakeholders, leaders, and experts to co-create solutions that make a positive impact on complex issues facing Nebraskans.
• Relevant:  If it's important to you, It's important to us. We leverage the fundamental strengths of Nebraskans and the University to create results that truly matter to lives and livelihoods.
• Accountable:  We answer to the Nebraskans we serve. We return Nebraskans' investment in their University directly to their counties and communities, showing proof of performance through transparent reporting.
• Research-based:  You can count on us for unbiased information. We provide scientifically sound insight that helps Nebraskans make important decisions with even greater confidence.
• Accessibility: We're here to serve all Nebraskans. We respect each person and every interaction, and we are committed to building a culture that provides open, meaningful learning opportunities for everyone.
• Responsive:  We're ready when and where Nebraskans need us. We listen to what's on the minds of Nebraskans and assemble the right teams with the right expertise to address their challenges and capitalize on opportunities.
• Innovative:  We're never satisfied with the status quo. We anticipate and embrace change and continually challenge ourselves and our stakeholders to taka a "what if?" and "why not?" approach to problem-solving.

See Previous Winners

2025 Team Award Winners

"Let's Go Outside" Team – Innovation

Jackie Steffen, LaDonna Werth, Erin Kampbell, Lisa Poppe, and Support Staff - Gina Val Verde, Kylee Whitehill, Mary Spath, Kelli Knox, Marsha Wuebben, Jamie Buckman, Allie Cosgrove

National Health Outreach & Engagement Conference Planning Committee Team – Collaboration

Tara Dunker, Kelsey Ryan-Simkins, Emily Gratopp, Hannah Guenther, Jordan Luxa, Ann Fenton, Brittany Spieker, Ashton Figgner, Audra Losey, Cindy Brison, Jordan Slagle 

Panhandle Wrangles Team – Uniquely Local

Sarah Paisley, Melissa Mracek, Nathan Rice 

"Tick Tag Go" Team – Collaboration

Dr. Louise Lynch-O'Brien, Jody Green, Kait Chapman.