AAE's star professor and specialist awarded at CALES annual Employee Appreciation and Awards Celebration

At the 2026 Employee Appreciation and Awards Celebration, George Frisvold, Professor and Extension Specialist of the Agricultural & Applied Economics (AAE) department, was celebrated as the recipient of the 2026 Cooperative Extension Faculty of the Year award. Frisvold’s award photo and short highlight is a part of the CALES news story Celebrating Excellence: 2026 CALES Employee Appreciation & Awards.  

Ed Martin, Associate Vice President and Director of the Arizona Cooperative Extension System Irrigation Specialist & Professor presented Frisvold with his award. Martin commented on Frisvold’s impactful and unforgettable work, “What truly distinguishes George’s work is something that cannot be measured in citations or reports. It is trust.” 

During his career, Frisvold fabricated and built the Extension Regional Economic Analysis Program, which has generated dependable economic analysis benefitting stakeholders, the university, college, and AAE department.   

Frisvold and his EREAP team received the 2025 award for Outstanding Group Extension Program from the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA) in Denver, CO. EREAP consisted of AAE cooperative extension specialists, Dari Duval, Claudia Montanía, and José Quintero. Frisvold and his team received continuous praise on their impressive and thorough published analyses that will be used for generations to come within the state and across the southwest. 

Frisvold explained, “Last year, I got to brief [Arizona] Governor Hobbs on trade issues and the Arizona State Senate Natural Resources Committee.  I say "got to" because it's an honor to do that. I really couldn't do things like that without the work of my EREAP colleagues. I can't do what I do without them. It really is a team effort.” 

He went on to describe the work that extension entails; quality, trusted, and intersectional discipline. Frisvold accredits developing expertise and reputation early in your career, as that will get you to the places necessary to network with others from important disciplines. He added, “At the same time, while economic outcomes are important, those outcomes often depend on biology, agronomy, hydrology and other sciences. So, economists have a lot to learn from others.” 

AAE department head and colleague, Gary Thompson, praises Frisvold for his tremendous work in creating the EREAP program and building the notable career he has. Thompson explained, “Very few scholars can claim to have served commendably in government (Economic Research Service, USDA) as well as in academia building and growing an exemplary Extension program while conducting highly cited research, much of it with colleagues from other disciplines, and teaching a capstone policy class.” 

Frisvold heavily emphasized how extension specialists also have the ability to share their knowledge and expertise beyond the stakeholders. He commented, “In addition to working with farmers and ranchers, there's an opportunity to educate others at the University of Arizona, journalists, and policymakers about agriculture.” Therefore, working hand-in-hand with those who are also direct contributors to the flow of extension work makes it all the better. 

Amongst his career achievements, Frisvold also held his teaching career in very high standards, impacting hundreds of students over the years at UArizona and in the AAE department. Prof. Thompson added, “As if that weren't enough, he has supervised and mentored innumerable graduate students while supporting them as research assistants on competitive grants and contracts.  All the while, George has maintained his self-effacing demeanor coupled with a wonderful sense of humor.”