Bagley couple named as Agassiz Ambassadors

Roseau, Minn. Bryan and Stephanie Ramsrud, Bagley, MN, were recently named Agassiz Ambassadors for the Red River Valley Emerging Leadership Program at an awards banquet on April 2.  They will carry the title of Agassiz Ambassadors #56 for the coming year where they will apply their leadership skills as they work with Extension educators to develop and deliver the next program which will start this November.

Bryan and Stephanie were selected for this honor from among participants from 17 counties who took part in the most recent program led by the University of Minnesota Extension. Their selection was based on nominations from other program participants and interviews with program alumni. Bryan and Stephanie were noted as good role models for this program. Interviewers noted that the couple was highly recommended by their peers and that they have a positive attitude. Those who nominated them for this role said that, “They are down to earth and believe in service to others. They are welcoming and friendly to everyone...and are active listeners. They engaged themselves in the program and they will promote the program very well with this same passion. They understand the importance of leadership and also what it takes to be a good follower. Both are caring and honest. They relate to people easily and they work together effectively as a team.”

What do Stephanie and Bryan have to say about being selected for this role?  They shared their thoughts saying, “We can sum it up in one word...HONORED! They went on to add, “We feel so blessed to have been a part of the Emerging Leadership Program. Participation in this program has taught us about leadership strengths and how, in recognizing our own individual strengths, we can become an asset to our communities. We know there will be challenges ahead of us in fulfilling this role as Ambassadors, but we are excited about growing and learning more in the months ahead.” The Emerging Leadership program will benefit from Bryan and Stephanie’s continued involvement with the program over the coming months.

The Ramsrud’s are not the first couple in Clearwater County to be selected for this honor. They stand on the shoulders of others from the county, including Corey & Stacie Petterson (Clearbrook, 2005) and Ron & Brenda Knable (Bagley, 2003) who also shared their leadership skills with the Emerging Leadership Program as Agassiz Ambassadors.  This program is led by the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality.  It is financially supported by alumni of the program and by the many community businesses throughout the region.  Major partners include the NW Minnesota Foundation, the Red River Development Association and West Central Initiative.

This program carries on the tradition, started by the RRV Winter Shows in 1961, of recognizing rural leaders for contributions to their communities.  The recognition, at a regional level once known as Valley King Agassiz, was replaced with the title of Agassiz Ambassadors in 1994. Agassiz Ambassadors for the program in recent years have been Phill & Anastasia Mickelson (Becker County 2015), Erik and Shannon Finney (Kittson County 2014), Garrett and Andrea Novak (Pennington County 2013), Matt and Carla Blashack (East Otter Tail County 2012), David and Christina Lien (Norman County 2011), and Eric and Shana Klindt (Wilkin County 2010). Additional information about the program is available at http://z.umn.edu/rrvlead/