Title
SDSU Extension State ClimatologistOffice Building
Off-CampusMailing Address
SDSU Extension Aberdeen Regional Center13 2nd Ave SE
Aberdeen, SD 57401
Education
M.S. 2003 University of Maryland, MeteorologyB.S. 1999 University of Minnesota, Physics and French
Expertise
Committee Activities
Professional Staff Advisory Council, elected in 2022. Historian 2023-present.Extension Responsibilities
Laura supports the citizens of South Dakota in her role as the SDSU Extension State Climatologist based in Aberdeen. Her job duties include:Point of contact for state and university climatology outreach and extension.
Coordinate and lead SDSU Extension projects on weather, climate and agriculture.
Liaison with SD Mesonet group, State Fire Meteorologist, university personnel, state and federal agencies on weather, climate, natural hazards and emergency management.
Some projects include: Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Climate Change Resilience, North Central Region Water Network Climate Team co-leader, SD liaison for USDA Northern Plains Climate Hub, SD Drought Task Force, SD Department of Agriculture pesticide education.
Awards and Honors
2022 Distinguished Service Award, NACAA2018 Achievement Award, NACAA
2016 Certificate of Achievement, AMS Policy Colloquium
Professional Memberships
American Association of State ClimatologistsNational Association of County Agricultural Agents
American Meteorological Society, member since 2002. Currently serving on Board for Representation, Accessibility, Inclusion and Diversity (BRAID). Past positions held include Chair and Conference Chair for Committee on Applied Climatology and Conference Chair for Board on Atmospheric Biogeosciences.
South Dakota Association of Agricultural Extension Professionals, President 2021-present. Vice President 2019-2021. Finance chair for national meeting in 2015. Member 2012-present.
Work Experience
January 2017 – present South Dakota State ClimatologistSouth Dakota State University Extension, Aberdeen, SD
July 2016 – January 2017 Acting South Dakota State Climatologist
South Dakota State University Extension, Aberdeen, SD
December 2011 - July 2016 Extension Climate Field Specialist
South Dakota State University Extension, Aberdeen, SD
November 2003 – December 2011 Assistant Research Climatologist
Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV
Department(s)
Image for SDSU Extension
SDSU Extension
Image for Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering