Sen. Hoeven Announces Partnership Between NDSU, USDA ARS and Grand Farm

U.S. Sen. John Hoeven announced a federal appropriation that will develop a partnership between North Dakota State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service and Grand Farm around research development and educational opportunities in agriculture technology. This announcement occurred at an event held at NDSU.

"Grand Farm is about leveraging North Dakota's global leadership in agriculture and the dynamic technology sector that we've built in our state to develop and implement the next generation of precision agriculture," said Senator Hoeven. "That means reducing producers' input costs, improving their yields and empowering them to continue providing the highest quality, lowest cost food supply in the world. Moreover, by building upon the intersection of agriculture and technology, North Dakota will be positioned to realize new opportunities for investment and job growth for years to come."

"This important partnership between NDSU, Grand Farm and the USDA will provide more opportunities for students to gain experience in a variety of agriculture technology related careers," said NDSU President David Cook. "I look forward to this work leading to other exciting partnerships between NDSU and the private sector."

"This exciting project highlights North Dakota's leadership in agriculture technology and demonstrates our state's top-tier research capabilities," said Mark Watne, North Dakota Farmers Union president and Grand Farm board member. "We are thankful for Sen. Hoeven's leadership in making this project a reality. Grand Farm is committed to working with NDSU and USDA ARS alongside growers and industry partners to advance these technologies and make sure they are relevant and valuable to those who will ultimately use them."

Grand Farm, led by Emerging Prairie, enables technology to feed the world by bringing together stakeholders to facilitate collaboration on innovations solving some of the world's largest challenges in agriculture technology.

NDSU Agricultural Affairs works to meet the needs of people on a local and global level by educating students with interests in agriculture, food systems and natural resources; extending NDSU information to all North Dakota citizens; and advancing scientific knowledge through innovative research.

Speakers at the press conference included U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, N.D. Rep. Michael Howe, USDA ARS deputy administrator Marlen Eve, NDSU student body president and recent Grand Farm intern Christian Walth, NDSU President David Cook, Grand Farm board member Mark Watne, and agriculture technology entrepreneur Barry Batcheller.

Additional coverage of the press conference is available on the following Facebook pages: Grand Farm, NDSU College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources and North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station.