A Plan for North Dakota’s Agricultural Future
By Roger Johnson

Executive Summary

More than ever, North Dakota’s economy depends on our agricultural economy. Although fewer and fewer families are directly involved in production agriculture, every family in North Dakota is touched by what happens on the farm.

And just like today’s farm looks very different from the one that I and so many others grew up on, the farms of tomorrow will look different as well. But the challenge remains the same: keep North Dakota’s agriculture the best in the world.

That’s why I have worked so hard to use my position as Agriculture Commissioner to help North Dakota grow. When I was first elected, there wasn’t a single state inspected meat plant in North Dakota; now there are fifteen. When I took office in 1997, renewable energy wasn’t a state priority, now there are nine ethanol and biodiesel plants across the state and over 300 industrial wind turbines. I helped open up new markets to over $30 million in North Dakota products, and from my position on NASDA – the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture – helped shape the latest farm bill.

The job is never done, and that’s why I’ve laid out A Plan for North Dakota’s Agricultural Future---to help keep North Dakota’s agriculture the best in the world. The plan details strategies for expanding opportunities in

1. Renewable Energy
2. Pride of Dakota
3. Value Added Livestock Development
4. Farmer’s Markets
5. Organic Farming
   more