Dianne Farrer has joined the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as the regional agronomist for Carteret, Craven, Greene, Jones, Lenoir and Pitt counties. She is based in Greenville. Farrer, formerly of Provo, Utah, replaces Bob Edwards, who retired last September after 21 years of state service.

"Dianne is a welcome addition to our staff," said Agri-culture Commissioner Steve Troxler. "She comes to us with a strong background in soil fertility as well as horticultural and agronomic crop produc-tion. She will be a valuable resource for area growers."

Farrer is a graduate of Brigham Young University where she earned a bachelor's degree in horticulture and a master's degree in agronomy, with emphasis on soil fertility. She received her doctorate in crop science from N.C. State University. Farrer's experience includes four years in the greenhouse/nursery industry and a year of research at Duke University.

Regional agronomists are part of the Field Services Section of the NCDA&CS Agronomic Division. They work with growers to help them improve yields and reduce fertilizer expenses by identi-fying and managing plant growth problems, especially those related to soil fertility and crop nutrition. They make on-site visits, assess prob-lems, demonstrate sampling techniques and give advice based on agronomic test results.

Growers in Farrer's six-county region are encouraged to contact her directly. She can provide advice on a wide range of agronomic issues, including liming, nutrient management, crop fertilization, soil testing, plant tissue analysis, use of animal wastes and composts, nematode assay, and testing of source water and nutrient solutions. She is available at (252) 830-1718 or by e-mail at dianne.farrer@ncagr.gov.