Kristin Harner has joined NDSU as director of Agriculture Communication.
She previously was public relations, communications and foundation director for the Minnesota Farm Bureau, director of agricultural programs for Heritage Halls in Owatonna, Minnesota, and director of agricultural programs for the Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Area Association of Commerce. She also is an owner and operator in her family’s small community-supported agriculture farm near Northfield, Minnesota.
As director, she is responsible for providing leadership and managing the staff and fiscal resources for a department of 24 employees. In collaboration with the vice president for Agricultural Affairs, she will develop, implement and oversee short and long-term communication, marketing and technology strategies for NDSU Agricultural Affairs, serving NDSU Extension, the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Stations and NDSU College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources.
“Kristin comes with a broad set of experiences in communications and was most recently with the Minnesota Farm Bureau,” said Greg Lardy, vice president for Agricultural Affairs. “Her nearly 20 years with that organization gave her an excellent set of experiences that she will be bringing to our unit. I am looking forward to working with her to develop a long-term strategy for NDSU Agriculture Communication that takes a comprehensive look at our efforts and work to communicate with internal and external stakeholders.”
Harner earned her bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University, Brookings. “I’m excited to work with such a talented team,” she said. “I am looking forward to working for NDSU, serving the people of North Dakota.”
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