NDSU Names Boerboom Extension Director

Chris Boerboom is the new director of the North Dakota State University Extension Service.

"As you know, this is a critical position, not only for Extension, but also for NDSU and the state,"says Ken Grafton, NDSU's vice president for Agricultural Affairs, director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and dean of the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources. "Chris will be a great Extension director for North Dakota. I know that he will be well- received throughout the state because of his integrity, intellect and passion for NDSU Extension."

Boerboom replaces Duane Hauck, who retired at the end of 2011 after 35 1/2 years with the NDSU Extension Service. Boerboom served as interim Extension director for the last 4 1/2 months.

"It's a true honor to be selected to lead the NDSU Extension Service as director,"Boerboom says. "North Dakota is privileged to have an excellent Extension Service that is working to enrich the agriculture, youth, families and communities across the state. I look forward to working with our first-rate specialists and agents and their many partners in addressing the state's needs of today and tomorrow."

Boerboom joined NDSU Extension in January 2010 as an assistant director for agriculture and natural resources and district director for five southeastern North Dakota counties.

He earned a bachelor's degree in agronomy and agricultural economics in 1984, a master's degree in agronomy in 1987 and a doctorate in agronomy in 1989, all from the University of Minnesota.

Before coming to NDSU, Boerboom was an Extension weed specialist in the Agronomy Department at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.