Greg Lardy

Gregory Lardy serves as the Joe and Norma Peltier Vice President for NDSU Agriculture. The role includes responsibilities as Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources; Director of NDSU Extension; and Director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station.

The oldest of five brothers, Dr. Lardy was raised on a farm and ranch near Sentinel Butte, North Dakota. Growing up, he was active in 4-H and FFA, and credits his involvement in those organizations for his lifelong love of agriculture and rural North Dakota. Those organizations also provided him exceptional leadership development opportunities as an adolescent. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal and Range Science from NDSU, a Master of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Missouri, and a Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska.

Dr. Lardy joined the NDSU faculty in 1997 as the state’s beef cattle Extension specialist, a position he held until 2009. He then served as head of the Department of Animal Sciences from 2009 to 2018. In 2018 and 2019, he served as Interim Director of NDSU Extension and Acting Director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. He was named Vice President for NDSU Agriculture in 2020 and became the inaugural holder of the Joe and Norma Peltier Vice President for Agriculture endowment in 2024. Dr. Lardy also served as president of the American Society of Animal Science from 2013 to 2014.

As Vice President, Dr. Lardy has led the development of the first comprehensive strategic plan for NDSU Agriculture and helped secure more than $215 million in state and private investments for agricultural facilities, research infrastructure, and academic programs. Under his leadership, sponsored research expenditures have grown from approximately $21 million to more than $41 million annually, while philanthropic support for NDSU Agriculture has exceeded $100 million since 2018. He has championed initiatives that expand student access and success, strengthen engagement with citizens, stakeholders, and constituents across North Dakota, advance agricultural technology and artificial intelligence, and support the university's land-grant mission across North Dakota.

In 2025, Dr. Lardy received the Column Award (Outstanding Alumnus) from the University of Missouri Division of Animal Sciences. In addition, he received the Kernel Award in 2023 from the North Dakota Grain Growers Association and received Honorary Membership in the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association in 2019.

Dr. Lardy and his wife, Lynae, reside in West Fargo, North Dakota. They have three children and six grandchildren. He is a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in West Fargo and is active in a variety of parish ministries. In his free time, Dr. Lardy enjoys running, reading, hiking, and photography.