Advisory Committees

Citizens' Advisory Committee

This volunteer committee provides consultative support to the Extension Dean. The committee meets two times a year to discuss Extension priorities. See Guiding Principles to learn more about the committee and its work.

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  Jerry Arneson

  Clay County, Moorhead

  Jerry graduated with a degree in Agronomy and Crop Production Management from North Dakota State University. He is currently the director of the Clay County Fair Board and has been a member of multiple boards in Moorhead. Jerry is a former Agassiz Ambassador for the Red River Valley. He also served as an Extension educator in Clay County. Jerry was involved in the Roseau County 4-H program and now serves as a 4-H Leader in Clay County.

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  David Benson

  Nobles County, Bigelow

  David was a Nobles County Commissioner for 20 years, serving on local and regional Extension Committees. He was a member of the Association of MN Counties (AMC) Extension Committee where he received the President’s Award in 2012. David was recognized by the MN Department of Health’s State Community Health Services Advisory Committee as a Friend of Public Health in 2010. David and spouse have managed a beef cattle and sheep operation for over 20 years, for past 14 years they produced food grade soybeans and small grains.

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  Julie Buntjer

  Nobles County, Worthington

  Julie has a degree in agriculture journalism and has worked in many aspects of journalism including covering issues on agriculture, county government, public health, watersheds and feature writing. Julie is involved in Extension as a 4-H mentor, 4-H past club leader, county 4-H director, County Extension Committee member and is a graduate of the U-Lead Advisory Academy. One of her recent awards is the statewide media award from the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

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  Tim Gerlach

  Dakota County, Eagan

  Tim's background includes 20 years of experience in biofuels and environmental work. Most recently, Tim was appointed executive director of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association and the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council. Previous appointments include managing the USDA-supported National Alternative Fuels Laboratory Program at the University of North Dakota's Energy & Environmental Research Center, leadership positions for the Minnesota E85 Coalition and American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest.

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  Douglas Hoffbauer

  St. Louis County, Duluth

  Douglas has a degree in forest resource management from the University. He worked as a gardener and greenhouse program director at the North East Regional Corrections Center. Douglas and his wife, Lois, have been members of the Duluth Farmers market for 28 years, selling various vegetables from their 10-acre farm. Additionally, they grow 35 acres of Christmas trees and sell trees and wreaths through local retailers during the holiday season. Douglas's Extension history includes serving as chair/vice chair for of St. Louis County Extension Committee (9 years) and serving on Grand Rapids horticulture research advisory committee.

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  Bryon Kittleson

  Martin County, Welcome

  Bryon served nearly 12 years on the Martin County Extension Committee. He also served as chair of the Martin County Extension Committee when Extension made the change to Regional offices. Bryon and his family have been honored as the 2009 Martin County Farm Family of the Year and are a part of many charities and fund raising organizations. Bryon is currently working with Extension crop specialist Liz Stahl on a crop study in Martin County.

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  Mark Koehn

  Morrison County, Holdingford

  Mark grew up on a dairy/hog farm, worked as an independent pork producer until he became an agricultural appraiser in 1997. Mark has served on the Morrison County Extension Committee and continues to be involved in civic and community boards, including Upsala Cooperative Telephone Association, Morrison County FHA Loan committee and Holdingford Area Historical society (Founder, past President).

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  Randy Maluchnik

  Carver County, Chaska

  Randy, a retired Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, is on the County Board of Commissioners for Carver County. He was recently elected as 2012 President of the Association of Minnesota Counties. In addition to his commissioner work, Randy serves on numerous committees for county development, transit and watershed initiatives as well as advocacy for veterans and families.

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  Paula Mohr

  Anoka County, Anoka

  Paula grew up on a dairy farm in Michigan and was active in 4-H. After graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in agriculture communications and natural resources, Paula worked as a reporter for the Cadillac Evening News, associated editor with Dairy Today and presently is editor of The Farmer. In each of her positions, Paula relied on Extension agents and specialists to serve as valid sources for her pieces. In her community, Paula serves as a member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, is treasurer of Anoka High School Swim & Dive Booster Club and is a member of the Class VI of the MARL program.

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  Jim Mulder

  Ramsey County, St. Paul

  Jim is a former executive director of the Association of Minnesota Counties. While a part of the AMC, he led the Minnesota Redesign Initiative. In 2010, Jim was selected as Independent candidate Tom Horner's running mate for the Minnesota Governor's race.

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  Helene Murray

  Ramsey County, St. Paul

  Helene is a faculty member of the University of Minnesota. Helene's work is based out of the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics in the College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences. She is also the Executive Director of the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA).

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  Fatima Said

  Winona County, Winona

  Fatima has a background in education and business. In 2005 she was appointed Executive Director for Project FINE, a non-profit program working with new immigrants to spread diversity throughout her region and the state of Minnesota.

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  Samuel Schuth

  Hennepin County, Minneapolis

  Sam currently serves as the State Director of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the nation's largest grant maker in support of service and volunteering. Prior to his work at CNCS, Sam worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in Liberia, West Africa, as a reporter for Minnesota Public Radio, and as a manager of community development efforts in 15 nations for a St. Paul-based non-profit organization. Sam has Extension ties through the joint work in the creation and implementation of the Latino and East African Financial Literacy Program. Sam has received numerous awards for his public service, including the Dean's Award for Distinguished Diversity and Inclusion, the State Diversity Award from Epsilon Sigma and the Mary W. Wells Memorial Diversity Award from the National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences.

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  Noreen Thomas

  Clay County, Moorhead

  Noreen has a bachelor's degree in Food and Nutrition and a minor in microbiology from North Dakota State University. She has worked with NASA's imagery program and been published in NASA's magazine. Noreen and her daughter co-founded the 4-H Happy Feet program which provides suitable footwear for children in need. Noreen is currently living on an organic farm near Moorhead, Minnesota and is a past recipient of the University of Minnesota Siehl Award.

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  Ariel Way

  Douglas County, Garfield

  Ariel is currently a member of the Douglas County Livestock Committee. Ariel is a member of the Chippewans 4-H Club and has served as an ambassador at the state level. In this role he has been appointed to the CAC as youth representative.

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  Rhonda Weis

  Dodge County, Pine Island

  Rhonda grew up involved in 4-H, worked as a dairy farmer and mother for 20 years. She now works as a supervisor at the Transplant Center of Mayo Hospital working with Mayo leadership to provide customer service training classes for about 900 employees on a quarterly basis. Rhonda is involved in community programs, including 4-H, State Dog Show (judge), Dodge County American Dairy Association, Dodge County Dairy Herd Improvement Association and Dodge County Extension Committee. Rhonda has received several special awards including Friends of 4-H in Dodge County, Farm Family of the Year (1996) and the Mayo Clinic Above and Beyond Award for her leadership in the Transplant Center.

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  Matthew Wohlman

  Assistant Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
  Hennepin, Richfield

  Matthew Wohlman is Assistant Commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.  Prior to this appointment in 2011 he served for four years as outreach director for U.S. Congressman Tim Walz, Minnesota’s First Congressional District.  Matt spent two years working in U.S. Senator Mark Dayton’s office and three and a half years as legislative aide to Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon at the Minnesota State Senate.

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  Don Yutrzenka

  Marshall County, Argyle

  Don is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Crookston. He has been farming all of his life and was involved in 4-H during his youth. Don stays active in his community and church and has been the recipient of many honors and awards, including the Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer, NDSU's Outstanding Agriculturist Award, and the Marshall County Farm Family of the Year.

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  Marvin Zutz

  Minnesota Barley Council and Minnesota Turf Seed Council, Executive Director
  Hennepin, Red Lake Falls

  Marv Zutz serves as the executive director for Minnesota Barley Council and Minnesota Turf Seed Council. He has worked extensively with Extension in research and agriculture promotion. Marv is active in grower outreach activities with the Barley Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP), funded by the National Research Initiative (NRI) of the USDA. The project involves government and public- and private-sector laboratories and links laboratory and field research with education and outreach. It uses modern tools of genomics to facilitate classical plant breeding efforts to develop superior barley varieties.