Elizabeth Exstrom was honored with the Distinguished Service Award (DSA) by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) during the organization’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference held July 11 in Denver, Colorado.
NACAA is a nationwide professional organization representing Extension educators, agents, and specialists working in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, natural resources, 4-H youth development, community development, and related fields. The Distinguished Service Award is one of the association’s highest honors and recognizes members who have served in Extension for at least 10 years, earned the respect of their peers, and demonstrated excellence through the development and implementation of outstanding Extension programs.
Elizabeth was among an elite group of recipients representing the top two percent of NACAA membership nationwide. Honorees are selected by their peers in recognition of their professional accomplishments, leadership, and commitment to Extension education.
With 17 years of dedicated service, Elizabeth Exstrom has made a lasting impact on community landscapes, youth education, and volunteer development across central Nebraska. Based in the Hall County Extension Office, she serves as a Horticulture, Landscape, and Environmental Systems Extension Educator, providing leadership for horticulture programming and responding to thousands of inquiries from Nebraskans each year.
Exstrom leads the Central Nebraska Extension Master Gardener Program, where volunteer efforts under her guidance have contributed more than 38,590 hours of community service, generating an estimated $1.34 million in local economic value. She is also the creator and coordinator of the highly successful Special Garden Project, which has engaged more than 26,500 youth in all 93 Nebraska counties, fostering hands-on learning experiences and cultivating the next generation of environmental stewards.
Through educational programming, media outreach, and community partnerships, Exstrom has reached more than 3 million individuals, establishing herself as a trusted resource on sustainable landscapes, arboriculture, and environmental stewardship. She is also widely recognized as a longtime panelist on Nebraska Educational Telecommunications’ Backyard Farmer, where she shares practical, research-based guidance with viewers across the state.
“I am deeply honored by this recognition,” said Exstrom. “Extension is about empowering people, strengthening communities, and helping Nebraskans thrive. I am grateful to work alongside dedicated volunteers, colleagues, and partners who make this work possible and meaningful.”
Exstrom holds a bachelor’s degree in horticulture with an emphasis in landscape design and a master’s degree in public horticulture from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She is a Certified Arborist through both the Nebraska Arborists Association and the International Society of Arboriculture and is an active member of the Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association. Her commitment to education, community engagement, and environmental stewardship continues to benefit Nebraskans across the state.
