WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND
‘Tis the season for Ag shows. Is there anything better? This past week I had the pleasure to be at the Northern Corn & Soybean Expo in West Fargo. While there was some angst over the tariff battles with Canada and Mexico (which sent corn prices soaring) the big topic was sustainable aviation fuels. It’s the mother of all value added opportunities for our growers. And it’s a sure fire way to bolster long term commodity prices.
I took in the 2nd annual Farm & Ranch Show at one of North Dakota’s finest facilities, the McKenzie County Ag Expo in Watford City. The keynote speaker was the “Cow-Whispering” guru Dr. Temple Grandin, an American scientist, inventor, and autism advocate. Her appearance brought in over 400 students from across Western North Dakota. Cattle prices are in a sweet spot now so the place was hopping with smiling ranchers too.
At the end of January, Emerging Prairie hosted its annual 1 Million Thanks event, a night dedicated to celebrating those who support its mission and honoring outstanding contributions. This year, it was especially fitting that they recognized U.S. Senator John Hoeven with their Lifetime Achievement Award.
Senator Hoeven’s impact is felt across North Dakota and the nation, earning him tremendous respect across industries and communities. During the celebration, tributes from Senators John Thune (South Dakota), Amy Klobuchar (Minnesota), and John Boozman (Arkansas) underscored his ability to collaborate, uphold North Dakota’s values, and make a lasting difference for its people.
Hoeven has been a long-time advocate for Emerging Prairie and Grand Farm, playing a vital role in advancing AgTech and positioning North Dakota as a national leader in agricultural innovation. In 2019, he invited U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to help launch the Grand Farm Test Site, laying the foundation for transformative advancements in precision agriculture. His commitment to elevating North Dakota’s innovation efforts continued in 2024, when he invited Grand Farm to testify before the U.S. Senate and hosted the U.S. Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee Field Hearing at the Grand Farm Innovation Shop, bringing national attention to the state’s leadership in AgTech.
Emerging Prairie Co-Founder and Grand Farm Chairman of the Board, Greg Tehven said “Hoeven’s ability to foster collaboration has strengthened key partnerships between Grand Farm, North Dakota State University (NDSU), and the USDA Agricultural Research Service, accelerating groundbreaking research and development.” He added, “His leadership has also propelled North Dakota forward in technology development, UAS advancements, and national recognition for its contributions.”
North Dakota has much to be proud of, and John Hoeven consistently delivers. He shows up, tackles tough challenges, and actively engages with the communities he serves. “We are deeply grateful for his vision, leadership, and unwavering dedication to empowering North Dakota’s agriculture, technology, and innovation sectors” said Tehven.
Do liberals know how silly they looked this week when 8 people showed up to protest President Trump’s policies on immigration and scrutinizing federal spending at the Fargo post office? Is anyone tired of winning yet? Me either.
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