As the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator John Hoeven has been instrumental in securing over $50 million in agricultural research funding for North Dakota and he recently announced new financial support for NDSU-led initiatives in the Senate's FY 2024 Agriculture Appropriations bill, which received approval from the full Senate in early November. Support included $2 million designated for a new NDSU Agriculture Policy Research Center, part of a newly launched Transdisciplinary Food, Energy and Water Research Initiative at NDSU, jointly developed and led by NDSU Agricultural Affairs and the NDSU Office of Research and Creative Activity.

In partnership with former U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, Senator Hoeven emphasized how the Center would help highlight North Dakota's agricultural expertise at a national level and could leverage NDSU’s strengths in agriculture, social, behavioral, and economic sciences to develop resilient solutions to our region's needs in both farm Policy and Risk Management. Its goals would include addressing farm and agribusiness challenges through in-depth policy and economic analysis and bring North Dakota expertise to policymakers in Washington, D.C.

“No one does agriculture better than North Dakota’s farmers and ranchers, and agriculture research plays a key role in our state’s competitive edge,” said Senator Hoven. “The ag policy research center that we’re working to bring to NDSU builds upon this strong foundation and would help ensure the policies being advanced in Washington, D.C. meet the needs of our farmers and ranchers in the Upper Midwest.”

With his years of experience in both agriculture and politics, Peterson also sees great potential for the Center and its potential national impact. “This kind of coalition will foster the collaboration that we need to better inform Members of Congress, USDA and the Administration and to ensure strong farm policy for our region,” he said.

The Center will complement work conducted at similar centers across the country including The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri; The Agricultural and Food Policy Center (AFPC) at Texas A&M University; and The National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

NDSU Vice President for Agricultural Affairs Greg Lardy also sees great potential for the Center across the immediate region. “The Upper Midwest requires data-driven solutions to address challenges faced by farm and agribusinesses,” he said. “Leveraging NDSU's strengths, this Center will catalyze impact and further strengthen our thriving and forward-looking agricultural industry. ”

NDSU research priorities were at the forefront of the university's testimony at the most recent North Dakota legislative session and many cut across areas that will be impacted by the new Research Center.

NDSU Vice President for Research Colleen Fitzgerald noted that the Initiative provides synergy alignment between NDSU’s strengths, North Dakota state priorities, and priorities at the federal level. The USDA funding in the Senate Bill supportsAgricultural Data Security, Indigenous Food Sovereignty and the Controlled Environment Agriculture, and integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning and sensors into agricultural research, among others.

“Investments such as this result in even more opportunities and funding many times over,” she said. “Earlier cooperative funding we received with ARS and Grand Farm, which has partnered NDSU’s AgTech research strengths and thought leadership alongside Grand Farm’s offering of innovation as a service, has acted as a catalyst in other projects, such as the Northern Plains AgTech Engine for Food systems Adapted for Resiliency and Maximized Security or FARMS, grant proposal, which is one of sixteen finalists currently under consideration for a National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines award.”

The Transdisciplinary Food, Energy and Water Research Initiative will advance partnerships with industry, other land grant institutions, and with North Dakota's tribal colleges while solidifying NDSU’s reputation as a national research leader. “It’s important to ensure equitable access to AgTech and precision ag for the North Dakota’s rural communities,” said Lardy, “We will continue to strengthen AgTech initiatives by supporting the expansion of research initiatives in machine learning, predictive crop performance, and the Agricultural Measurement and Monitoring Innovation Lab.”

NDSU President David Cook appreciated the help from both Hoeven and Peterson. “Thank you for your efforts to ensure that the monumental digital transformation of agriculture remains within the reach of every North Dakotan and that NDSU and our partners have the resources and support they need. Together, we are poised to see NDSU's impact grow to new heights in transdisciplinary research, outreach and innovative technologies in food, energy, and water security, which is a benefit to everyone.”

Fitzgerald and Lardy noted opportunities for participation are forthcoming for NDSU faculty and staff across campus units and disciplines to participate in the Transdisciplinary Food, Energy and Water Research Initiative, including Faculty Fellow positions.