Thief River Falls couple named as Agassiz Ambassadors

Roseau, Minn. (3/30/2017) Ryan and Karen Griffin, Thief River Falls, MN, were recently named Agassiz Ambassadors for the Red River Valley Emerging Leadership Program at an awards banquet on March 25.  They will carry the title of Agassiz Ambassadors #57 for the coming year where they will apply their leadership skills as they work with Extension staff to develop and deliver the next program which will start this November.

Ryan and Karen were selected for this honor from among participants from 15 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. Karen and Ryan were observed as good role models for this program. Interviewers noted that the couple was highly recommended by their peers and that they have a strong passion for the Emerging Leadership Program. Those who nominated them for this role said that, “They have a fun and welcoming presence. They are a friendly, welcoming couple who are passionate about family, agriculture and the leadership programs. They are both thoughtful and reliable individuals who contribute to making others better.” Classmates noted that “They were always willing to share their experiences and that they had good insights into various topics, often bringing a different perspective to the program’s educational topics.” One nominator shared “They work together as a team and lead by example in their marriage relationship and through their farm partnership. They would be amazing role models for next year’s class.”

What do Karen and Ryan have to say about being selected for this role?  They shared their thoughts saying, “We are very excited and humbled to have been chosen as Ambassadors for the coming year!” They went on to add, “We are thankful for the opportunity to represent our class of Emerging Leaders as we continue to further our leadership journey.  The insights we have gained through this program are positively impacting our relationships and activities.  We highly recommend this program to anyone who is offered the chance to be a part of it!” The Emerging Leadership program will benefit from Ryan and Karen’s continued involvement with the program over the coming months.

The Griffin’s are not the first couple in Pennington to be selected for this honor. They stand on the shoulders of others from the county, including Garrett & Andrea Novak (St. Hilaire, 2013) and others before them 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 Bryan & Stephanie Ramsrud (Clearwater County 2016), Phil & 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), and David and Christina Lien (Norman County 2011). Additional information about the program is available at http://z.umn.edu/rrvlead/