An 'ag life' from the start

Chandy Howard is the new face behind the desk at the Eddy County NDSU Extension office. The daughter of Allan and Lisa Howard, Chandy grew up on a farm east of Sheyenne where they raised livestock, "mostly cattle," Chandy says. She later confessed there were also horses, pigs, chickens and even geese on that farm.

Chandy has spent much of her time with her feet on the ground and her hands in the action. Her strong agricultural background carried over into her education as she went to North Dakota State University and studied animal science with a minor in crop and weed science.

Eddy County Extension agent Tim Becker noted that Chandy "is a good asset with her well-rounded background."

Currently she is working on the administrative side of 4-H for the first time, which is interesting considering she spent more than eight years in 4-H.

Prior to taking the position at Extension, Chandy worked at Roughrider Feeds. During her college summers, she worked for Jeanne Allmaras at the former North Inch Greenhouse in New Rockford.

"It's really been a change. I'm used to being outside and being active," she said. "The paperwork takes some getting used to."

It won't be long before Chandy can put that go-get-'em spirit to good work. Each spring, the extension service takes agriculture into schools in Foster, Wells, and Eddy counties.

Chandy will fit right in as they introduce children in grades 3-6 to farming concepts and talk about commodities, livestock and nutrition.