(ND Ag Connection) – After 28 years of dedicated service to North Dakota State University, Andrew Thostenson, Extension pesticide program specialist, will retire effective Nov. 1.

Thostenson began his career with NDSU Extension as the agriculture and natural resources agent in Pembina County in 1996. He accepted the pesticide specialist position and has led the Extension pesticide program since 1998. He has conducted over 1,400 trainings for professional dealers and applicators and issued over 56,000 certifications to about 30,000 professional applicators and dealers. He also provided training materials to NDSU Extension agents who would issue more than 74,000 private certifications. He also provided training materials to conduct over 4,200 trainings for private applicators to 39,000 farmers and ranchers.

“Andrew’s dedication to the Extension pesticide program has had a tremendous impact for professional applicators and dealers across North Dakota,” says Mohamed Khan, assistant director and program leader for agriculture and natural resources programs at NDSU Extension. “We wish him all the best on a well-deserved retirement.”

Thostenson received both B.S. and M.S. degrees in plant sciences from the University of Idaho. He owned and operated a seed and crop management consulting company in the Pacific Northwest for 10 years before joining NDSU.

“My work at NDSU has been fulfilling,” Thostenson says. “I enjoyed working with pesticide applicators and dealers and am indebted to them for their kindness towards me during my tenure. I am especially thankful for working with many talented colleagues at NDSU.”