North Dakota
Roots matter for award-winning regenerative North Dakota ranch family
MADDOCK, N.D. — On any given day, rancher Brian Maddock is out in the drift prairie near the town of Maddock that bears his family name, dropping hay bales on wind-scoured hilltops and hardpan soil where little else will grow.
From there, the cattle do the rest of the work. They eat, they trample, they fertilize.
Green rings begin to form where nothing grew, soft swells of emerald where cattle will graze again after they’re rotated in again from another paddock.
The soil, after years of careful management by the Maddock family, breathes again.
For that work, Brian and his wife Vicki, along with the entire Maddock family, recently received recognition as recipients of the Leopold Conservation Award, making them part of a growing lineage of farmers and ranchers proving that working lands can also heal themselves.
The transformations to the Maddock family’s 4,000 acres of ranchland didn’t come from a one-season fix. They were constructed one fence, one water line and one holistic grazing decision at a time.
For the Maddock family, it has been a way of life since the early 1990s when land they farmed near Devils Lake became inundated, forcing a shift to rotational grazing and other regenerative ranching practices.
The Leopold Conservation Award, administered by Sand County Foundation, is a nationally recognized honor celebrating outstanding voluntary conservation.
Named after conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award is now presented in 28 states. This is the 10th time the award has been given in North Dakota.
“We’re excited about the things we’re doing, raising the cattle the way we do, and we’ve changed so many things over the years,” Brian Maddock said. “In a lot of ways, it’s not more work, it’s easier.”
A pivot born of necessity
After attending a course on holistic land management through the Carrington Research Extension Center around 40 years back, Brian came back home with eyes wide open to a shift the family needed to make away from crops and toward cattle.
“That opened my mind up tremendously,” Brian Maddock said of the course.
The farm was struggling financially at the time, he said.
“He came back from that course and said we need to make changes in how we farm or we’ll have to quit farming,” said his son, Travis Maddock. “He realized, once he started looking at the whole of things, that as a farmer, he was failing to try to raise crops. He wasn’t making any money. It wasn’t going to work out.”
That soul searching led his father to understand where his strengths lay, which was managing cattle and grass, Travis said. The family looked at the land they had and saw a lot of dirt, but not much quality soil left.
“All the tops of these hills are blown right down to the clay. Can we build some soil? Can we look at that? So we start putting a lot of these principles into place,” Travis said.
From there, they started installing cross-fences, developing water systems and rotating cattle through around two dozen paddocks, eventually shifting marginal farmland with soils too thin to support crops to ones that can support cattle. That’s helped restore fertility to the land.
“That land is really designed to support cattle,” Travis Maddock said.
Through practices like livestock impact on the grassland and bale grazing, the family has been able to transform the land, he said.
“You put the bales out there and let the cattle graze them down,” Travis Maddcok said. “That gives you your soil health principles, you’ve got cover, you’ve got living roots in there, you’re increasing your water cycle, your nitrogen cycle. Underneath there, you get your microbes rocking and rolling, and they’ll build soil for you. That’s how you build soil.”
Travis talks about how, as a regenerative rancher, you really have to think about the two herds you need to manage.
“We’re feeding the cows, but we’re also feeding all those microbes in the soil. We need to feed them too, and they need to be thriving,” he said. “As long as we can have symbiosis between those two things, we have the opportunity to create something where good things are happening, whether it’s financially or ecologically.”
Since the first Leopold Conservation Award was given in 2003, the award has spread to recognize the positive things farmers and ranchers were doing across the country in stewarding working lands.
Lance Irving, vice president of Sand County Foundation, calls these recipients “quiet heroes” for the work they put into their farms and ranches.
“This is an opportunity to recognize actual working farms and ranches, where their livelihood is tied to their productivity, and how conservation is a tool in their toolbox to not only make them more environmentally resilient but also economically resilient,” Irving said.
Award winners are chosen by panels within their state designated by local partners that include the North Dakota Association of Conservation Districts, North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition, and the North Dakota Stockman’s Association.
What stood out about Brian Maddock, Irving said, is that he’s never satisfied and always looking to improve his processes.
“He’s not doing it for himself, he’s thinking, how can I make it better for my kids, how can I make it better for my grandkids,” Irving said. “Folks of his generation willing to change what they’ve done for the last 40, 50 years, to try something new, is not something you see all the time, and that really stands out to me.”
Irving also points out the Maddock family motto of “Soil. Cattle. Family.” sums up their philosophy.
“If you take care of the soil, the soil will take care of the cattle. If you take care of the cattle, the cattle will take care of the family,” Irving said. “But that initial building block is taking care of the soil. You can’t do the others before you take care of the soil.”
Darrell Oswald, district manager for the Burleigh County Soil Conservation District, helped bring the award to North Dakota in 2015.
Judging is done by local leaders from agriculture, conservation, and state agencies.
“One thing I’ve noticed about all of the winners over the years is they all think holistically,” Oswald said. “They’re early adopters. They think outside the box. They’re not afraid to try things.”
The Maddock family is no exception, he said.
“Brian was an early adopter of multi-paddock adaptive grazing systems, and was thinking outside the box,” Oswald said. “They’re in an area where ranching is secondary to farming. They’ve carved out a living there, where annual cropping is generally king.”
As the
10th North Dakota family to receive the award
, the Maddocks join a roster of producers helping to shape regenerative agriculture in the state and region.
Other recent winners include Heaton Ranches in McKenzie, Bartholomay Kattle Kompany in Sheldon, Spring Valley Cattle in Glen Ullin and Sand Ranch near Ellendale.
“These are the elite of the elite of producers, in my mind,” Oswald said. “They’re profitable. They’re putting resources first. They’re in it for the long haul. They’re generational, and in theory, they want to farm and ranch forever and are working towards that. What they’re doing with the soil and resources is allowing them to do that, and that’s important.”
This mirrors national trends. Many Leopold winners began changing practices when their backs were against the wall — financially, ecologically, or both. Once they saw it work, they became advocates, showing neighbors what’s possible.
Irving notes that today’s regenerative ranchers don’t fit old stereotypes.
“The general public’s notion of what a farmer or rancher is not actually indicative of what this next generation is,” Irving said. “These are tech-savvy folks.”
Irving mentioned how they’re adopting GPS grazing collars, innovative water systems, soil sampling and tissue testing, and that there is more of this than ever before.
“In a way, agriculture kind of has its back against the wall, and you have to figure out how to do it, because not only is our food system relying on it, but also our rural communities,” Irving said. “Farms and ranches are the backbones of rural communities, and without them, that’s an entire way of life that becomes harder and harder.”
The North Dakota News Cooperative is a non-profit news organization providing reliable and independent reporting on issues and events that impact the lives of North Dakotans. The organization increases the public’s access to quality journalism and advances news literacy across the state. For more information about NDNC or to make a charitable contribution, please visit newscoopnd.org.
This story was originally published on NewsCoopND.org.
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North Dakota
North Dakota highlights nearly 10 Years of victims’ constitutional rights during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – This week, communities across the country are recognizing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, an annual observance that has challenged the nation to confront and remove barriers to justice for crime victims since 1981.
This year’s observance runs April 19–25, led by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime.
For North Dakota, the week carries special significance. In November 2016, North Dakota voters approved Marsy’s Law, known as Measure 3, with roughly 62% voter approval. The constitutional amendment took effect Dec. 8, 2016, guaranteeing crime victims the right to be notified, to be heard, and to be treated with dignity throughout the legal process.
“National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a time to call attention to just how far our state has come in providing victims of crime with constitutional rights,” said a spokesperson for Marsy’s Law for North Dakota. “North Dakotan crime victims have now had a voice in the justice process for the last 10 years, which is a milestone we’re proud to celebrate this year with survivors and advocates from across the country.”
A Voice for Victims
Holly Wethor knows firsthand what it means to finally feel supported by the justice system. As a victim advocate, she has seen Marsy’s Law change lives — including her own.
“You gain so much of your self-worth back, and you just see a clearer and brighter picture,” Wethor said. “I wish more people would learn about Marsy’s Law and learning through the courts that they can go through this and that they’re not alone and they can have that advocacy.”
Wethor’s message reflects what advocates across North Dakota say is the law’s most powerful impact, reminding victims they do not have to navigate the justice system alone.
Decades of Advocacy in North Dakota
The push for victims’ rights in North Dakota did not begin with Marsy’s Law. Advocates have been fighting for survivors for nearly five decades.
In 1978, the North Dakota Council on Abused Women’s Services, known as NDCAWS, began as an informal gathering of advocates from five crisis intervention centers across the state.
Around the same time, the Coalition Against Sexual Assault in North Dakota, or CASAND, was formed to address the statewide need for education, networking, and legislative change surrounding sexual assault.
Resources for Victims
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or sexual violence, the following resources are available:
- North Dakota Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition: (701) 255-6240
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 (800)799-7233
Copyright 2026 KVLY. All rights reserved.
North Dakota
Hawks Split Friday Doubleheader against NDSU and Omaha – University of North Dakota Athletics
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The North Dakota softball team went 1-1 on Friday, falling to Omaha 9-0 in the first game and defeating North Dakota State 2-0 in the nightcap from Albrecht Field. The Hawks now sit at 26-21 overall and 3-9 in Summit League play on the season.
It was a tale of two games for UND, from getting shutout in game one to doing the shutting out in game two. Chloe Bethune was 3-for-4 on the day with a walk, reaching base four times.
Game 1 – Omaha 9, UND 0
UND was outhit 8-2, with the Hawks hits coming from Tyler Price and Bethune. NoDak had three total base runners in the contest.
Unity Nelson took the loss in the circle, falling to 9-8 on the season. The sophomore went 1.2 innings and gave up seven earned runs on just three hits, with five walks. Camryn Lasota came in for relief, throwing a season-high 3.1 innings, giving up two earned runs, five hits, one walk with one strikeout.
How It Happened
Both teams went down in order in the first inning, but Omaha struck with seven runs in the second on just four hits. Following a double and two walks, Sammy Schmidt hit a no-out double to right field, bringing home Katherine Johnson and Marra Cramer to take a 2-0 lead.
Nelson recorded the first out of the inning on an Ava Rongisch pop up, before throwing a wild pitch which allowed Alyson Edwards to score to make it 3-0. Following two more walks and a Taylor Sedlacek sac fly, UND was down 4-0. The Mavs scored three more in the inning, headlined by a Bailey Sample two-out double. NoDak trailed 7-0 after three.
The Mavericks scored two more in the top of the third to open up a 9-0 lead. UND got its first hit in the bottom of the fourth on a Price infield single, but the Hawks could not get anything going offensively, falling 9-0 in the first game.
Game 2 – UND 2, NDSU 0
Game two was the Tegan Livesay show, as the junior tossed her 13th complete game and fifth complete game shutout of the season, improving to 12-8 in 2026. She went 7.0 innings, surrendering just six hits and three walks with five huge punchouts. She recorded nine groundouts and threw 131 pitches. Livesay left 10 Bison stranded on base.
The Hawks scored two runs through the first two innings, first on a Bethune RBI single to center field in the bottom of the first, which was followed by an RBI double down the left field line from Makenna Alexander in the bottom of the second.
The hit battle was even at 6-6 in the contest, led by Bethune who went 2-for-2 at the plate. Alexander, Taya Hopfauf, Katelyn Neumayer and Aleksia Severson each poured in a hit as well.
How It Happened
Livesay was weaving in and out of traffic all night, battling out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the first. Amai Hanta from NDSU walked to start the game and stole both second and third base to give the Bison a runner on third with no outs. Livesay recorded a massive strikeout on Star Cortez, which was followed by a walk to Bella Dean, setting up runners on the corners with one out.
Jessica Delatorre lined out to Severson for the second out, before Lileigh Nieto walked to load up the bases. Mya Boos grounded out into a 6-4 fielders choice to end the frame on some nifty glove work from Severson to keep it at 0-0.
Alexander and Price both struck out to start the second inning, before Hopfauf and Neumayer both singled. Jaedyn Valdez followed that up with a hit-by-pitch, loading up the bases for Bethune. The sophomore came through with a massive single up the middle, giving UND a 1-0 lead.
Livesay left two stranded in the second inning, surrendering a leadoff infield single to Taylinn Warren. Warren then advanced to second base on a passed ball, but Livesay got Zoe King to strikeout swinging next.
The next batter grounded out to Livesay, before another infield single, this one by Hanta to put runners on the corners. Livesay got Cortez to groundout to first base, where Neumayer took it to the bag for the 3U inning ending putout.
In the bottom of the second, Brooklyn Morris reached on a one-out walk and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Alexander then belted a ball down the third base line to bring home Morris, giving NoDak a 2-0 lead after two.
Livesay sat down the Bison 1-2-3 in the third and fourth innings before leaving two stranded in the top of the fifth. Hanta and Cortez both logged one-out singles and executed double steals, to give the Bison second and third with one out. Livesay got Dean to line out to short, before punching out Delatorre to get out of the jam.
NoDak stranded a runner on second base in the top of the sixth, with a chance to close it out in the top of the seventh. Livesay sat down Ella Claus, before allowing an infield single to Hanta, sending the tying run to the plate for the Bison.
Cortez was able to reach safely on a fielding error by Livesay, giving NDSU runners on first and second with one out. The junior pitcher did not flinch, striking out Dean on a 3-2 count to make it two outs. Livesay completed the complete game shutout, getting Delatorre to pop out to second base, as UND secured its third-straight win over NDSU.
Game two of the series will take place tomorrow at 1 p.m. on Midco Sports.
For more information on North Dakota Softball, follow on social media @UNDsoftball or visit FightingHawks.com.
North Dakota
Glatt to retire from ND Department of Environmental Quality; Armstrong thanks him for 43 years of service
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Kelly Armstrong today thanked North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Director Dave Glatt for his 43 years of service to the state as Glatt announced his retirement as the first – and only – director of DEQ since it became a standalone agency in 2019. His retirement is effective July 31.
“Dave has dedicated more than four decades of his life to protecting North Dakota’s air, land and water with a regulatory approach that boils down to one simple rule: follow the science,” Armstrong said. “He rejected federal overreach and ideology-based regulation, instead holding firm to a cooperative, common-sense approach that allows North Dakotans to enjoy some of the cleanest air and water in the country as our economy thrives. We’ll miss Dave’s leadership, his expertise and his wry sense of humor. We thank him for his exceptional service and wish him all the best in retirement.”
Glatt was appointed DEQ director in May 2019 by then-Gov. Doug Burgum and reappointed by Armstrong in 2024. Prior to that, he served as chief of the North Dakota Department of Health’s Environmental Health Section from 2002 to 2019. He also previously served as the section’s Division of Waste Management director, interim director of Consolidated Laboratories, Division of Water Quality assistant director, and Groundwater Protection Program manager.
During his long career in state government, Glatt helped implement the Safe Drinking Water Act in North Dakota and was the state project manager for an EPA Superfund project to address high arsenic levels in groundwater in southeastern North Dakota. Through collaboration with government at all levels, industry and citizens of the state, Glatt helped ensure that North Dakota remains a clean air state, maintains high regulatory standards and leads through the efficient implementation of all environmental protection programs.
“It has been a privilege to work alongside so many dedicated professionals and North Dakotans who care deeply about protecting our shared environment,” Glatt said. “They made this work enjoyable, rewarding and meaningful, and I’m deeply grateful.”
Born in Valley City and raised in Milpitas, Calif., Glatt graduated from North Dakota State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in environmental engineering. He briefly worked for the Los Angeles Flood Control District before returning to North Dakota in 1983, joining the Department of Health.
The 2017 Legislative Assembly passed legislation separating the Environmental Health Section from the Department of Health to create the standalone DEQ. On April 29, 2019, DEQ became an independent agency after all programs completed a federal review and approval process.
Currently, DEQ has a two-year total budget of $141.8 million and is authorized for 175 full-time employees in six divisions: Air Quality, Chemistry, Municipal Facilities, Waste Management, and Office of Director.
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