Congratulations to 2019’s Excellence in Agriculture honorees

<p>Farmers, ranchers and people working in ag related businesses are honored annually by North Dakota State University in a celebration of the diversity of agriculture in North Dakota.</p>

<p>Cole and Teri Ehlers raise wheat, canola, corn, sunflowers, peas and alfalfa near Hettinger, using no-till and crop rotation farming practices. They also have a cow-calf operation with backgrounding and custom feeding. They have been farming for 23 years. In addition, Cole operates Ehlers Trucking, a livestock trucking business, and is a member of the township board. Teri is a radiology technician. They have three children.</p>

<p>Carl Soriede runs a commercial cow-calf operation with Hereford and Angus cattle near Bowman. He also occasionally runs stocker calves and raises forage for livestock. Carl, who has farmed for 44 years, uses non-till and crop rotation farming methods and intensive and rotational management of his grazing resources. He also promotes soil health through the use of diversified forages and grass systems. He has been a brand inspector for 27 years and received the Honorary Local Brand Inspector Award in 2016. He also has been a 4-H volunteer for more than 10 years and received the Bowman County 4-H Alumni Award in 2015. In addition, he is involved with the Best Friends Mentoring Program and is a member of the Larry and Jean Buchholz Scholarship Committee and an FFA alumnus. He and his late wife, Nancy, had three children.</p>

<p>Kenneth and Nicolle Maruskie have a cow-calf operation and sell Red Angus cross cattle near Battleview. They also raise alfalfa for grass, barley for hay and oats for forage. The Maruskies have ranched for 27 years and have received the Soil Conservationist of the Year Award. Kenneth, a 1990 NDSU graduate, also worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 27 years. Nicolle teaches at Powers Lake High School, where she also is the Title I and technology coordinator. Kenneth and Nicolle have also been 4-H leaders. They have three children.</p>

<p>Wade and Lynn Moser have operated a commercial cow-calf herd and a heifer development program using cell grazing practices. Wade, a lifetime rancher, also served as the executive vice president of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association for 26 years. He received the NDSU Saddle and Sirloin Agriculturist of the Year Award in 2014. Wade is the past chairmsn of the Outdoor Heritage Fund and serves on the board today. Lynn is president of Inland Oil and Gas, a three-generation family business; a member on the U.S. Bank Board in Bismarck; and a 35-year 4-H leader serving 6 years on the ND 4-H Foundation board. Both are proud graduates of NDSU, as are their two daughters.&nbsp;</p>