February 12, 2025

Ag is critical to North Dakota

Topic: Issues

On February 11, Governor Kelly Armstrong and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring announced the results of a comprehensive economic report from North Dakota State University.

The study, conducted by NDSU’s Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics and the Center for Social Research, finds that North Dakota’s agriculture industry generates $41.3 billion annually in gross business volume, supports 123,360 jobs and contributes $10 billion in labor income.

“Agriculture isn’t just an industry. It’s the backbone of our economy and a cornerstone of rural prosperity,” said Dr. Greg Lardy, NDSU vice president for agricultural affairs. “This report reinforces the need for policies that drive investment and innovation in the sector.”

The report, unveiled during a press conference at the state Capitol, also highlights the continued growth of commodity processing and value-added agriculture, which are driving new economic opportunities across the state.

“Continuing to add value to our commodities benefits every farmer and rancher across North Dakota and makes our state’s economy more resilient,” Armstrong said, citing examples such as the recently added soybean processing plants in Spiritwood and Casselton and a proposed potato processing plant in Grand Forks. “We’re committed to expanding processing and diversifying our agriculture sector to create jobs and ensure that North Dakota remains a leader in ag innovation as we feed and fuel the world.”

“Agriculture continues to play an integral part in our state’s economy, thanks to our hardworking and innovative farmers, ranchers, rural communities and ag industries,” Goehring said. “We look forward to the future of agriculture as opportunities to add value, new cutting-edge developments and continued research shape how we produce a wide array of products used here and around the world.”

NDFB and many other organizations across the state contributed to the funding of the study.