ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 7, 2009

GOEHRING NAMES CHRISTMAN DEPUTY AG COMMISSIONER

BISMARCK – Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring announced Thursday, that Robert J. “Bob” Christman is the new deputy commissioner in the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA).

“Bob brings to this department a long and extensive background in agricultural policy and education, as well as in administration and personnel management,” Goehring said. “I have known him for many years and have long admired his professionalism, demeanor and management style. I am very pleased that he has accepted this responsibility.”

“Doug is enthusiastic about the future of agriculture in North Dakota,” Christman said. “I look forward to working with him in defining and carrying out his vision.”

Christman is currently the state’s deputy tax commissioner. A native of Adams County, he graduated with a degree in animal science from North Dakota State University, where he later earned a master’s degree in agricultural education. He served as an assistant extension agent in Richland and Stark counties before joining the staff of U.S. Sen. Milton R. Young in 1972, as an agricultural and legislative aide. In 1981, he was appointed state director of the U.S. Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS).

In 1993, Christman was named interim director of the North Dakota State University Extension Service. In that position and as chairman of a special task force, created by NDSU president James Ozbun to study the administrative structure of agriculture at NDSU, Christman played a major role in the reorganization of extension service and the university’s agriculture and research departments.

He has been executive director of the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association and the interim executive director of the North Dakota Corn Council and the Corn Growers Association. He was appointed deputy tax commissioner in 1997.

As deputy agriculture commissioner, Christman will oversee the organization of the department and its day-to-day operations.

Christman and his wife Linda reside in Bismarck. They have three children.

Goehring said Christman will begin his new position later in May.

-30-

MEDIA: For more information, please call Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov or Patrice Lahlum at (701) 239-7210 or plahlum@nd.gov.

For a picture of Bob Christman in jpeg format, please call Ted Quanrud.