Eight Plant Sciences employees were honored for excellence in research, teaching, advising, staff and Extension/Outreach work during the 22^nd Annual Agriculture and Extension Faculty/Staff Awards program held on December 12, 2013. The program honors employees in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources. A total of 50 people were nominated for the various awards.

Kamie Beeson, Information Processing Specialist, was nominated for the Donald and Jo Anderson Staff Award; Marisol Berti, Associate Professor in Forages and Biomass Crop Production, was nominated for the Larson/Yaggie Excellence in Research Award; Chad Deplazes, Research Specialist, was nominated for the Charles and Linda Moses Staff Award; Harlene Hatterman-Valenti, Professor of High Value Crop Production, was nominated for the William J. and Angelyn A. Austin Excellence in Advising Award; Thomas Kalb, Extension Horticulturist, was nominated for the AGSCO Excellence in Extension Award, and Robert Nudell, Research Technician, was nominated for the Rick and Jody Burgum Staff Award.

Kirk Howatt, Associate Professor of Weed Science, received the H. Roald and Janet Lund Excellence in Teaching Award, and Mohamed Mergoum, Endowed Professor in Wheat Breeding/Genetics, received the Eugene R. Dahl Excellence in Research Award.

The awards were presented by Dr. Ken Grafton, Vice President for Agricultural Affairs; Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources; and Director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station; Dr. Chris Boerboom, Director of the NDSU Extension Service; and Dr. David Buchanan, Associate Dean for Academic Programs in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources.

Author: Karen Hertsgaard, 701-231-5384, karen.hertsgaard@ndsu.edu