North Dakota
North Dakota agriculture leaders ask Secretary of Ag Brooke Rollins to bring back certainty for the industry
FARGO / WHEATLAND, N.D. — Surrounded by a wide swath of the agriculture community on Tuesday, April 22, at NDSU’s Peltier Complex, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said she’s hit the ground running to support farmers and believes strongly in putting America first.
Rollins said President Donald Trump’s focus is to make America great again and that he realizes that Rollins’ focus is to ensure American agriculture is great again. She said it is not lost on Washington, D.C., that large parts of the ag industry have been suffering from paper-thin margins in recent years.
Rollins met with industry members from the corn, soybean, wheat, pulse, sunflower, canola, potato, sugarbeet and cattle industries along with North Dakota dignitaries. Rollins listened to the group during a roundtable in the morning before heading out to tour Grand Farm Innovation Campus in Wheatland and wrapped up the day with a visit to American Crystal Sugar in Moorhead, Minnesota.
“Listen, we are on a mission to, in our founders’ best vision of this country, to return powers to the people,” Rollins said.
The sentiment was in response to several farm groups sharing concerns related to government overregulation. Specifically, that was related to
Waters of the United States
policy and
endangered species regulations
that were adding uncertainty to farming.
“Anything that can be done administratively would be great, legislatively would be more permanent, I presume,” said Ryan Ellis, president of the North Dakota Grain Growers Association, concerning the Endangered Species Act. “The ESA to me is kind of terrifying.”
Rollins said this topic came up in the White House in the last week and she asked that specific desires for these regulations be shared with Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., who helped orchestrate the gathering on Tuesday.
Trade concerns resonated with several attendees at the round table. Tony Richards, president of Northarvest Bean Growers Association, shared that the world eats dry beans, but concerns over implemented or even delayed tariffs are causing buyers to move away from the U.S.
Alyssa Goelzer / The Forum
“They are not canceling orders, but they are not making orders,” Richards said. “So we are roughly about 25% down, and that market share has gone away to Brazil and Argentina. And that, for us up here, and the United States as a whole, is a major issue, especially to our growers and processors.”
If the pain of lost markets continues, Richards said producers will need the certainty of crop insurance. As a specialty crop, dry bean growers don’t receive the same disaster assistance as corn and soybean growers. Richardson along with several others are hopeful for unilateral trade agreements that can put U.S. farmers in a strong position to trade around the world.
Leaders of sunflower and canola groups shared concerns over the Make America Healthy Again movement that puts seed oils in a bad light. John Sandbakken, executive director of the National Sunflower Association, said he was hoping that Rollins would be a strong advocate for seed oils and the healthy benefits that they bring to consumers.
The importance of Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation District staff available to farmers was illustrated by North Dakota Farmers Union government relations director Matt Perdue. He shared how the number of attendees interested in learning more about programming for these groups has jumped. He said it’s obvious that producers rely on those staff, especially as profit margins are thin for many crops.
“As we look ahead to a new farm bill, I think it’s critical that we have strong FSA staff, strong NRCS staff out there working with producers, boots on the ground,” Perdue said.
Rollins responded by noting that it was shared last week that the reduction in force efforts, which have allowed for early retirements for large swaths of federal government employees, do not apply to FSA or front-line workers for farmers.
“We need you in the office,” Rollins said of those staff.
Alyssa Goelzer / The Forum
Andrew Mauch, president of North Dakota Corn Growers Association, shared that with half of North Dakota corn going towards production of ethanol, continued support of the ethanol industry will be of utmost importance. He wants to see a permanent fix to the year round availability of E-15, a gasoline blend containing 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline. He noted that while the U.S. is just looking for availability of E-15, Brazil, a major competitor on global trade, mandates the use of E-27, a blend of gasoline with 27% anhydrous ethanol.
Rollins, who said she worked for Trump for three years during his first term in office, added that Trump is an unequivocal fighter for ethanol.
From the cattle industry, concerns over truth in labeling and mandated EID tags for animal traceability were brought up. Hoeven agreed, stating that he is for animal traceability, but opposed to making the electronic tags mandatory.
Rollins has been making stops at several states across the country and noted that Hoeven was one of the first to invite her to North Dakota soon after she was sworn in as 33rd U.S. secretary of agriculture.
Alyssa Goelzer / The Forum
North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong shared appreciation for the new administration’s responsiveness. He said he struggled to get calls back from the previous administration.
“The fact that you guys are responsive to what is going on out here, and willing to engage with us, and willing to talk to us is a huge benefit, not only to me as governor but to everybody sitting around this table, who is just looking for answers before they move onto the next thing,” Armstrong said.
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BISMARCK — North Dakota’s sole member of Congress, Republican Rep. Julie Fedorchak, hosted her third virtual town hall on Tuesday, June 10, where she fielded questions and concerns from residents about the “big beautiful bill” that recently passed in the House.
“There’s a lot of misinformation that’s been spread about this legislation, and what is and isn’t included in it, and what the overall goal is,” Fedorchak said while opening the town hall just after 7 p.m. “I want to set the record straight on a couple of those things.”
The federal legislation, which is on its way to the Senate after passing in the House by a single vote May 22, outlined more than $1 trillion in spending cuts that have sparked uproar across the country.
Of the cuts to federal agencies and their programs, North Dakotans shared concerns Tuesday related to regional Veterans Affairs hospitals, JobCorps and state Medicaid programs.
A Minot resident named Thomas asked if the philosophy of government is to “shut something down” instead of “fix it” with regard to
the closing of the JobsCorps campus in Minot.
The program provides free career training and education for late teens and young adults.
Fedorchak said she supports the program’s mission and shares concerns about its status in Minot.
After meeting with Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer to discuss the changes, however, Fedorchak said she wasn’t able to obtain further details due to the pending legal cases related to the program — lawsuits filed against the Department of Labor after the cuts were announced.
As for the VA cuts, Michelle of Fargo said she was “disheartened” by
the decision to eliminate federal funding to related care facilities.
Veterans will still receive health care, the changes merely cut out the bureaucracy created by the Biden administration, Fedorchak assured her.
Dan in Bismarck said he’s worried about
cutting back on Medicaid
and that there’s “not enough savings” in doing so “to justify the amount of cuts they’re (Congress) proposing.”
The changes include a laundry list of exceptions and are meant to save the program for people who “need it the most,” Fedorchak responded, not able-bodied people and those without permanent legal status who are currently receiving the benefits, she said.
She also emphasized her support for new work, volunteer and education requirements within the program.
When it comes to increased spending, one resident was curious about how North Dakota’s international border would be impacted by more funding for the military and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.
Sky from Fargo expressed concern about the state’s dependency on workers who lack permanent legal status, namely for agriculture industries.
“A lot of our farmers, we’re an ag state, depend on a lot of these illegal immigrants. What’s going to be done so they can continue staffing so our economy doesn’t take a hit?” she asked.
Fedorchak said she hopes farmers are hiring legal workers, and that she is a proponent of making the visa process more efficient.
Alternative energy sources and how they relate to regional grid stability also came up intermittently.
Gordon, a wind turbine technician based in McKenzie, pointed to Trump’s distaste for wind energy and asked if Fedorchak felt the same. It was not clear if Gordon was from McKenzie County, or the unincorporated community in Burleigh County. Another caller from Fargo, Paul, was curious about moving to geothermal energy to strengthen the grid, pointing to the state’s “treasure trove” of it as a resource.
While Fedorchak said she supports eliminating existing tax credits for wind and solar energy, she also supports making the permitting process of all energy resources, including that of wind and geothermal resources, faster.
“Each resource has pros and cons and having a mix of them and a blend of them is best,” she said.
There were fewer viewers on Facebook during Tuesday’s town hall compared to the previous live streams, with the listener count not exceeding 50. The comment section was turned off by Fedorchak’s Facebook page.
Fedorchak is the only member of the state’s federal delegation who has hosted town halls since President Donald Trump was elected. Republican Sens. Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven have not announced any plans to host public forums in the near future.
Submitted Photo
Mae Streich, left, Bottineau, conductor pro-tem, escorts Lois Schaefer, new president of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Department of North Dakota, to the podium to conduct her first council meeting
BISMARCK – A Bottineau woman now is president of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary North Dakota Department.
Lois Schaefer and other VFW Department 2025-26 officers were elected and installed during the state VFW and Auxiliary Convention held in Bismarck, May 29-June 1.
Lois Callahan, national representative for the convention, served as installation officer.
Callahan will be elected and installed as the 2025-2026 national president at the VFW and Auxiliary National Convention in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 9-13. As national president, Callahan will visit every state. Her visit to North Dakota is scheduled for Aug. 22-24 during a fall workshop in Bottineau.
Schaefer’s theme as state president is the Rosie the Riveter theme “We Can Do It!”
Submitted Photo
Sharol Paulson, right, Minot, was honored with the title “The Legend” during the recent Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Department of North Dakota convention held in Bismarck. Brad Reed, 2025-26 senior vice commander for the VFW Department of N.D., escorts Paulson to dinner as part of her “royalty” title and many years of service to the auxiliary.
In her position as state president, Schaefer also will raise funds for a special project. Her project is Service Dogs for America based at Jud in LaMoure County, and her plans are to raise money for scholarships to assist veterans with the purchase of service dogs. The service dogs cost $25,000 each.
During the convention, Sharol Paulson, Minot, was crowned with the title “The Legend,” recognizing her for her many years of service with the auxiliary.
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Submitted Photo
Mae Streich, left, Bottineau, conductor pro-tem, escorts Lois Schaefer, new president of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Department of North Dakota, to the podium to conduct her first council meeting
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Submitted Photo
Sharol Paulson, right, Minot, was honored with the title “The Legend” during the recent Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Department of North Dakota convention held in Bismarck. Brad Reed, 2025-26 senior vice commander for the VFW Department of N.D., escorts Paulson to dinner as part of her “royalty” title and many years of service to the auxiliary.
EPA issues air quality warnings due to Canada fires
In the U.S., smoke from Canadian wildfires was detected drifting through Montana, North Dakota and northern Minnesota.
Medora, a tiny community in North Dakota surrounded by the rugged landscape of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, has been named to HGTV’s list of the most charming small town downtowns.
The city – with a population of 121, according to Census Bureau data – is south of Interstate 94 in the far western part of the state.
“Nothing charms like a small downtown that beckons visitors with historic architecture and boutique shops or local culture and tree-lined streets,” HGTV said. “Many small-town downtowns are located in beautiful settings or have stunning views. Others welcome visitors with lively festivals, delicious foods or a nostalgic atmosphere.”
The network didn’t list any specific criteria for inclusion on the list, but said it “looked for vibrant towns that invite you in and encourage you to stay and explore.”
What did HGTV say about Medora?
HGTV highlighted Medora’s role as a gateway town for the south unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where visitors can take a scenic drive through the badlands, home to bison, mule deer, prairie dogs, horses and other wildlife.
The network also mentioned the community’s museums, fudge shops and the Old Town Hall Theater, and it recommended the Medora Musical, a “toe-tapping Broadway-style show,” and the Rough Riders Hotel, a “historic inn where Theodore Roosevelt himself once stayed.”
Were any other Midwest communities featured on HGTV’s list?
The network’s list also included:
- Marquette, Michigan
- Abilene, Kansas
- Deadwood, South Dakota
- Fish Creek, Wisconsin
- Galena, Illinois
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