FARGO, N.D. (Ag News 890) – Clair Keene has joined the NDSU Department of Plant Sciences as an assistant professor and Extension agronomist specializing in cereal crops and field corn.

She will deliver Extension education and conduct research that allows North Dakota producers to improve cereal grain and field corn production on their farms. She also will conduct research on cereals as forage crops or as cover crops in crop rotations.

Keene earned bachelor’s degrees in biology and Spanish from Iowa State University and earned her doctorate in agronomy from Pennsylvania State University.

Prior to joining the department, Keene was the NDSU Extension specialist in cropping systems at the Williston Research Extension Center. While there, she conducted research on grain intercropping with chickpea and flax; worked on pipeline and saline seep reclamation; evaluated Kernza, a new perennial small grain, for its suitability to North Dakota; and supported county Extension agents in northwest North Dakota.

“I am excited to join a department with so many well-respected faculty in so many diverse fields,” said Keene. “I’m looking forward to collaborating with plant breeders, cereal scientists, agronomists, and weed scientists to meet the needs of North Dakota grain farmers.”

The position Keene filled was formerly held by Joel Ransom, who retired in February.