RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler recently announced the promotion of Dr. David Hardy to head the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agronomic Services Division.

Hardy, of Raleigh, replaces longtime director Dr. Colleen Hudak-Wise, who retired earlier this month.

“Dr. Hardy has been with the Agronomic Services Division since 2002, leading our soil testing efforts. We are fortunate to have such well-qualified and dedicated staff members step into new leadership roles at the department,” Troxler said. “He has extensive knowledge of the significant environmental and financial importance of agronomic testing and science-based recommendations for optimal growth performance and plant needs.” 

The Agronomic Services Division’s mission is to provide diagnostic and advisory services that increase agricultural productivity, promote responsible land management and safeguard environmental quality. As part of the division’s work, the lab analyzes soil samples, plant, solution and irrigation water samples, plus animal, municipal and industrial wastes.

Hardy has served as assistant director of the Agronomic Division since 2021 and has been the chief of soil testing since 2002. Prior to joining NCDA&CS, the Lenoir County native served in several different roles with the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service in Raleigh, Craven, Pamlico, Jones, Carteret and Wilson counties, including as an extension specialist in soil science, an area environmental agent and an associate agricultural extension agent.

Hardy received a bachelor of science degree in Agronomy from N.C. State University in 1993. He went on to earn a master’s degree and a Ph.D in soil science from NCSU.



He is a member of the American Society of Agronomy, the N.C. Interagency Nutrient Management Committee, Plant Food Association of NC, Soil Science Society of America and the Soil Science Society of North Carolina.