County Agent Update

The MonDak Ag Showcase is July 14-15 when the Williston Research Extension Center will be hosting their annual field days.

On Thursday July 14, starting at 8:30 a.m., the dryland tour will start. This event is free and no registration is required.

On the dryland tour you can learn about the new variety testing and research to the five steps to a great lawn. After a great BBQ chicken lunch, the afternoon session will start at 1:30 p.m. at the Ernie French Center. The afternoon session is dedicated to pulse crops with specialists from North Dakota State University, Pulse USA and AGT Foods present.

To round out the night, join the Williston Regional Economic Development Corporation, Williston Economic Development and McCody Concrete, at McCody Concrete as they host the Williston Chamber of Commerce Business After-Hours event.

Keene Joins Center

Dr. Clair Keene joined the Williston Research Extension Center as an Area Extension Specialist in Cropping Systems in February of this year. Clair grew up in Bellevue, Neb. and attended Iowa State University where she received her B.S. in biology and B.A. in Spanish.

She volunteered with the Lutheran Border Servant Corps for a year in Las Cruces, New Mexico working with survivors of domestic violence as an adult educator before pursuing graduate studies at The Pennsylvania State University.

Keene’s research focused on integrated weed management in reduced-tillage corn and soybean and the use of cover crops in organic grain rotations. She had the opportunity to work with Penn State Extension and helped facilitate field days focused on weed identification, weed control, and organic grain production during her time in Pennsylvania. She graduated from Penn State with a Ph.D. in agronomy in August of 2015 and is excited to join the North Dakota State Extension service and the Williston REC.

This summer, she is conducting research on herbicide options in safflower and saline seep reclamation with perennial forage crops.

Keene looks forward to working with area farmers and crop consultants on weed control issues and finding opportunities to diversify crop rotations for increased soil health and higher profitability. If you would like to contact her, she can be reached at 701-774-4315.