Kansas Ag Connection - Weed Scientists Receive High Honors at National Meeting

Kansas Ag News Headlines

Weed Scientists Receive High Honors at National Meeting
Kansas Ag Connection - 03/21/2019

Every year farmers, ranchers and property owners spend millions of dollars to combat weeds that compete for moisture and soil nutrients on farms and home landscapes alike. For their work and expertise, two Kansas State University professors have been honored by the Weed Science Society of America.

Dallas Peterson and J. Anita Dille were honored at the WSSA annual meeting held in New Orleans recently.

Peterson, a professor and extension weed specialist, was named a WSSA Fellow for his substantial contributions in the field of weed science. WSSA Fellow awards are presented to no more than 0.3 percent of members in any year. Peterson also serves as the university's agronomy extension state leader.

In his extension specialist role, he has developed educational programs and conducted applied research on weed management in field crops. His extension program has a strong producer and dealer focus, including participation in many public meetings, field days and demonstrations, delivering approximately 1,500 presentations to more than 70,000 participants during his career. He is the author or coauthor of 60 refereed journal articles, 138 extension publications, 140 research reports, 233 meeting abstracts, and numerous newsletter and press articles.

Peterson is an active member of the WSSA, the North Central Weed Science Society, the Western Society of Weed Science, and the Council on Agricultural Science and Technology. He has served on numerous committees and in various capacities, including the WSSA and NCWSS boards of directors, CAST board of representatives, and president of both WSSA and NCWSS. He also has served on the Kansas Certified Crop Advisors Board of Directors and works in an advisory role with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Kansas Noxious Weed Programs on herbicide registrations and weed management programs.

Peterson has supervised 10 graduate students and served on numerous graduate committees, plus helped coach KSU Weeds teams to several high finishes at the summer student contest. He has been recognized with the Outstanding Extension Award from WSSA, Fellow Award from NCWSS, the Horizon Early-Career and Mid-Career Awards from the Kansas chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, and the Excellence in Extension Award from Gamma Sigma Delta at K-State.

Dille, professor of weed science and assistant head for teaching, was elected WSSA vice president. Her term begins immediately and will transition in 2020 to president-elect, followed in yearly succession to president and past-president. She has also served as WSSA treasurer.

For the North Central Weed Science Society, Dille has served on the executive committee as the first female vice-president, president-elect, president, and past-president, finishing her term in 2017. In 2018 she received the Outstanding Teacher Award from the WSSA. Dille's teaching responsibilities include three undergraduate courses as well as a graduate course in weed ecology. She also plays an active role in undergraduate advising and has advised 16 master's and seven Ph.D. graduate students. Her research program at K-State focuses on the biology and ecology of key weed species and evaluating integrated and site-specific weed management programs for Kansas cropping systems.

The WSSA is a non-profit professional society that promotes research, education, and awareness of weeds in managed and natural ecosystems. The society was founded in 1956 and has approximately 2000 members from many different countries. Members of the society include a range of groups including scientists from academia, government, and industry, students, educators, extension agents, and private producers.

Other Kansas Headlines