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SDSU Extension

Heather Gessner

Heather Gessner

Title

SDSU Extension Livestock Business Management Field Specialist

Office Building

Off-Campus

Mailing Address

SDSU Extension Sioux Falls Regional Center
4101 W 38th St Ste 103
Sioux Falls, SD 57106

Education

  • B.S. in animal science | South Dakota State University
  • M.S. in economics | South Dakota State University

Committees and Professional Memberships

  • National Association of County Agricultural Agents-Regional Vice Chair, Communications Committee
  • Farm Financial Standards Council

Extension Responsibilities

I primarily work with farm and ranch families on farm management issues including but not limited to: livestock budgets and marketing, risk management, estate planning, and farm transitions and whole farm business planning.

Awards and Honors

  • 2017, Search for Excellence in Farm and Ranch Financial Management-State Winner
  • 2017, Search for Excellence in Farm and Ranch Financial Management, National Finalist
  • 2016, Communications Awards- State Winner: Feature Story, Published Photo and Caption
  • 2014, Distinguished Service Award winner
  • 2013, Communication Award National Finalist, Newsletter
  • 2013, Search for Excellence in Farm and Ranch Financial Management, National Winner
  • 2010, Communication Award National Finalist, Audio Recording
  • 2010, Communication Awards- State Winner: Audio Recordings, Program Promotional Piece, Team Newsletter, Web Page
  • 2010, Team Award – Exemplary Program – Aging Healthy, Happy and Wise
    South Dakota County Ag Agents Association
  • 2009, Extension Excellence in Programming – Exemplary Program – Estate Planning
  • 2009, Extension Excellence in Diversity – Annie’s Project
  • 2009, Extension Excellence in Teamwork – KidQuest
  • 2009, Communication Award Regional Finalist, Team Newsletter
  • 2009, Communication Awards - State Winner: Team Newsletter
  • 2008, Communications Award - State Winner: Computer Generated Graphics, Team Newsletter, Radio PRIDE Program- State Winner
  • 2008, Achievement Award winner, Communication Award Regional Finalist, Computer Generated Graphics and Radio, PRIDE Program-Regional Finalist
  • 2007, National Extension Leadership Development Conference Delegate
  • 2007, Communication Award - Direct Mail Piece
  • 2007, Voting Delegate
  • 2005, Dean and Director Award for Teamwork – Econ Educator Team
  • 2005, Communication Award-Publication, Team Newsletter, Direct Mail Piece, Personal Column
  • 2005, Dean and Director Award for Teamwork – Econ Educator Team
  • 2004, Communication Award - Team Newsletter
  • 2003, Communication Award - Team Newsletter

Grants

  • South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Winning the Game, 2005, $30,000.
  • USDA Risk Management Agency, Coffee Shop Marketing, 2005, $8,979.
  • South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Winning the Game, 2006, $30,000.
  • USDA Risk Management Agency, Cows and Corn, Estate Planning grant, 2006, $9,884.
  • South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Winning the Game, 2007, $15,000.
  • South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Estate Planning, 2007, $15,000
  • North Central Risk Management Agency, Annie’s Project, 2007, $23,438.
  • USDA North Central Risk Management Agency, Coffee Shop Livestock Marketing, 2007, $3,000.
  • South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Winning the Game, 2008, $15,000.
  • South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Estate Planning, 2008, $15,000.
  • USDA Risk Management Agency, Agricultural Workforce Management: Improving Human Resource Management Skills, 2008, $21,000.
  • USDA Risk Management Agency, Sustainable Annie’s in South Dakota for Years to Come, 2008, $25,000.
  • South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Winning the Game, 2009, $10,000.
  • South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Estate Planning, 2009, $6,000.
  • South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Winning the Game, 2010, $6,000.
  • South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Estate Planning, 2010, $5,000.
  • USDA -FCIC, Using Livestock Gross Margin Insurance in Marketing Plans, 2010, $20,000.
  • Program Enhancement Grant, Revise and Create Estate Planning Publications, 2011, $5,000.
  • South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Winning the Game, 2011, $6,800.
  • South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Estate Planning, 2011, $10,000.
  • USDA Risk Management Agency, Far Ahead Marketing, 2011, $8500.
  • Program Development Grant- The Next AgCEO: Preparing the Returning Generation, 2016, $19,971, United States Department of Agriculture- Farm Service Agency (USDA-FSA)

Department(s)