Michael Leiseth, Award Recipient
Michael Leiseth is the research plot manager for the Northwest Research and Outreach Center (NWROC) in Crookston. Since starting as a Research Plot Technician in 2016, Michael has shown a remarkable learning curve, earning two promotions to his current leadership role overseeing the 186-acre North Farm. A forward-thinking innovator, Michael developed a data-tracking program that has been adopted system-wide across all 10 Research and Outreach Centers (ROCs). This tool has grown to become a huge asset used to track research activities, equipment maintenance, and staff time that in turn, provides detailed reports that are used to demonstrate the productivity and value of the entire ROC system.
"Michael’s attention to detail is impressive. He often states, ‘details matter, even the smallest details matter.’ He encourages others to understand the importance of those words, especially in research... Michael does not just train employees to do research; he educates them in every aspect of research."