Collin Auwarter, research specialist in the Department of Plant Sciences, received the Distinguished Achievement Award for Professional Staff at the North Central Weed Science Society’s annual meeting held in December in Minneapolis.

The award recognizes outstanding and sustained contributions in support of weed science activities in the north central region. Award nominees must work under the direction of university, federal or industry scientists and have been involved in weed science research, Extension or resident education for at least five years.

Auwarter earned a bachelor’s in agribusiness and applied economics at NDSU in 2004 and was hired to work as a research specialist for the NDSU high-value crops project under the direction of Harlene Hatterman-Valenti, assistant department head and professor of plant sciences.

The high-value crops project is focused on a diverse number of crops including potato, onion and grapes. Auwarter has conducted a variety of research and employed new products and methods of weed control.

A member of the North Central Weed Science Society since 2005, Auwarter has attended and presented a poster each year and recently served as section chair of the horticulture, ornamentals and turf papers session.

The society is comprised of weed science industry professionals from 15 states and one Canadian province. Its mission is to deliver research, education and training to individuals responsible for weeds and their management in land use systems. For more information, visit http://ncwss.org.

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