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Grow 21: Enhancing North Dakota's
Economy Through Agriculture
2007-09
Investment Proposals
Diverse
and Resilient Economy
The following set
of initiatives has the potential to develop and expand existing
enterprises and to give rise to entirely new ones.
Agricultural
business development
This initiative is a cornerstone to our future ability to
serve agriculture, to enhance current agricultural enterprises,
and to catalyze the development of dynamic successful additional
enterprises that emerge from our current agricultural industries.
North Dakota has
successfully produced agricultural commodities and shipped
them to other areas of the United States and the world for
further processing and adding of value. There have been some
successes in developing new agricultural production systems,
in value-added food enterprises, and, recently, in new energy
endeavors. There is great potential in North Dakota for converting
commodities and waste streams into higher value products.
Prospects for whole new industries in renewable energy and
bioproducts (such as lubricants, materials, and plastics)
are particularly appropriate for our state. With the development
of new crops and the co-products of new industries, there
is significant potential for enhanced livestock production
and processing. For success this initiative must be multi-faceted
aimed both at developing new technologies and providing intense
business assistance to existing and emerging companies and
to entrepreneurs.
NDSU has many existing
capabilities and facilities including: the Northern Crops
Institute, programs in cereal sciences, the Great Plains Institute
for Food Safety, the Institute for Business and Industry Development,
the Institute for Barley and Malt Sciences, the Center for
Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies, the Burdick Center
for Cooperatives, and the Beef Systems Center of Excellence.
We are working to coordinate among these and other programs
to better serve the needs of North Dakota. To effectively
serve the potential for agricultural business development
the following are essential for all of the subsequent initiatives
to be successful:
Director of
Agbusiness Development – 80% Extension: 20% research.
This position will coordinate among current faculty and
staff as well as business/marketing associates and technical
services associates to assure high quality services for
existing and new enterprises. This is a faculty position
that would be in the appropriate unit based on the selected
candidate’s expertise.
$250,000
Business/marketing
associates (4) – Work closely with companies and entrepreneurs
in collaboration with technical services associates in business
planning, marketing, financing, development of strategies,
etc. Two will be located on campus in Fargo, one will be
located in western North Dakota and one in central North
Dakota. They will be recruited with complementary areas
of expertise and will work as a team using electronic communications
to assure high quality service.
$640,000
Technical services
associates (2) – Work closely with companies and entrepreneurs
in collaboration with business/marketing associates in new
enterprise development and support.
$320,000
Operating funds
for agricultural business development.
$250,000
Food industry enhancement
Faculty position
(60% research:40% Extension) Position in enhanced processing
of existing and new crops. Will have expertise in processing/engineering/plant
operations. Will work in collaboration with colleagues throughout
system to assure that supply chains as well as processing
are optimized. Will work in close collaboration with business/marketing
and technical associates in agricultural business development
program above.
$200,000
Research specialist
to assist faculty position.
$100,000
Operating funds.
$50,000
Bioproducts/Bioenergy Development
NDSU has several faculty and staff at REC’s and on the
Fargo campus that are part of a developing bioproducts/bioenergy
development program. North Dakota is particularly well positioned
to be a major player in the biobased products industry. The
positions proposed below will significantly increase the productivity
of the entire team. They also will cooperate extensively with
the agricultural business development program outlined above.
Engineering faculty
position (60% research:40% Extension) Focus in biomass-based
systems which hold great potential for becoming the preferred
sources for liquid fuels. Needed studies will focus on harvest,
collection, and transport systems for raw products including
crops, crop residues, animal production co-products, by-products
from food processing, etc. Additional work will focus on
conversion systems (engines, gasifiers, etc.).
$200,000
Research specialist
to assist faculty position.
$100,000
Economics faculty
position (40% research: 60% Extension) focus in production
costs, logistics, and market analysis for biobased products.
Working closely with colleagues, research would contribute
to development of efficient processes for supply chain
management and for efficient processing strategies.
$200,000
Operating funds
for these positions and for bioproducts team.
$200,000
Livestock Industry Enhancement
The beef industry in North Dakota is primarily a cow-calf
production system, with increasing interest in expanding feeding
and beef processing industries in the state. This will continue
to increase as the Beef Systems Center becomes operational.
Additionally, swine, dairy, and sheep all hold promise for
expansion, particularly with the advent of low-cost, high
value feed from the developing bioprocessing industries in
the state. This increased interest in swine and dairy, and
sheep also will add value to the bioprocessing co-products
and the many of the crop commodities grown in the state that
can be used as livestock feed. Focusing additional attention
on the synergies between crop and livestock production will
result in sustainable production systems. These systems necessitate
the need for research and Extension activities addressing
topics including, but not limited to, ley farming practices,
rotational grazing, reduced tillage systems, business management,
multiple land-use, and new opportunities in feeding livestock
using co-products derived from the growing biofuels industry
in North Dakota.
Engineering
(80% research: 20% Extension). A faculty member in Ag and
Biosystems Engineering will focus on development of innovative
waste management systems with an emphasis on developing
uses and products from wastes that can generate revenue
for the enterprise, innovative facilities that will minimize
odors and reduce costs for production.
$200,000
Waste management
specialist (60% research: 40% Extension) located at Carrington.
To work with animal production, feedlot, engineering colleagues,
and others in developing economical and efficient systems
and providing information to producers and others.
$140,000
Waste management
operating funds
$60,000
Livestock industry
specialist (80% Extension: 20% research). There are many
driving forces including the desire of many ag producers
to grow their existing enterprises and/or to diversify their
operations, utilization of potential feedstuffs that presently
are shipped to other states for their livestock operations,
opportunities to enhance production of feedstuffs to service
a growing ND industry, use of co-products emerging from
the rapidly expanding bioenergy/bioproducts enterprises
as feedstuffs, utilization of grazing capacity in range
and managed areas. A faculty position will continually work
with
colleagues and industry to evaluate opportunities and to
provide information that can be used for timely decision
making.
$200,000
Three
livestock/range specialists (70% research: 30% Extension)
to compare whole systems management of organic, natural,
grass-fed, and conventional beef production systems, as
well as the relationship of these systems on the environment.
Help determine market causes affecting cattle sales. Feedlot
research will focus on evaluating co-product use for efficient
livestock production. One specialist will focus on animal
health issues. The specialists will be located at the Central
Grasslands REC near Streeter, Hettinger REC, and the Main
Station.
$420,000
Swine specialist
– At one point in time, North Dakota produced Over
500,000 market hogs per year and had more than 2000 producers.
Presently North Dakota produces 160,000 market hogs and
has 450 producers. However, because of its economic impact,
interest in increasing swine production in the state has
grown recently. Each dollar of return from pigs marketed
turns over 3.49 times for feed, labor trucking, vet service,
utilities, etc. This industry need technical expertise,
management assistance and an unbiased resource that can
help the state develop its hog industry. A swine specialist
60% Extension: 40% research is needed to fill this role.
$200,000
Operating for
these research Extension efforts
$140,000
Cropping systems enhancement, control
of scab and other pests
Plant diseases cause major economic losses to
North Dakota annually. Losses exceeding $1 billion annually
are not only direct losses due to reduced yield and quality
of crop commodities, but also the indirect losses to the rural
and state economy from reduced business activities in the
state. For example, estimated losses caused by scab (Fusarium
head blight) in wheat, barley, and durum from 1993-2005 have
been estimated at $4.49 billion. Estimated losses in 2005
were $157 million (direct loss to farmer’s income),
impacting the state’s economy with over a $500 million
loss. Other diseases and insects, such as white mold, tan
spot, rust, bacterial diseases, blight, root rots, viruses,
aphids, leafhoppers, and flea beetles, in a range of commodities
important to the state also reduce the revenue to the state
by several hundreds of millions annually.
Efforts are underway
to identify better sources of resistance to scab and other
pests of our major crops, monitor and predict disease development
through better diagnostics and development of improved prediction
models, improve application efficiency of pesticides, and
understand the biology of the causal organisms. It is through
these efforts that better management strategies can be developed
which will reduce losses to the producers and the state’s
economy. This effort can be enhanced by providing additional
support and help the already ongoing programs and will improve
the efficiency of these research/Extension programs to help
solve scab and other disease problems.
Host resistance
and pest biology – research specialists (7) will enhance
ongoing efforts to more rapidly develop varieties with improved
resistance to scab and other diseases affecting major crops
in the state and to understand the biology of the pathogen.
Two specialists will be located at Fargo, two at
Williston REC, one each at CREC, NCREC, and LREC.
$700,000
Area Pest Management
Specialist – This 80% research: 20% Extension position
is critically needed to provide information to area growers
affected by crop diseases. The position will be located
at the Carrington REC. The CREC is located in the center
of great crop diversity, and greatly affected by severe
outbreaks of many major diseases.
$160,000
NDAWN support
and field scouting – One research specialist will
work on the NDAWN weather network to aid in the development
of predictive models for disease development and to distribute
timely weather information needed by producers to determine
timing of pesticide application. Crop scouts (summer activities
for students working with Extension personnel) located throughout
the state will aid in identifying development of scab in
various production regions in the state. Disease development
will be monitored and compared to predictive crop models
– these highly successful forecasting models continue
to be improved as additional information is added to the
model.
$250,000
Operating for
breeding/genetics, plant pathology, cereal quality, and
entomology research programs to enhance efforts on host
resistance, pest management, and improved quality.
$425,000
Improving pesticide
application efficiency – One research specialist is
needed to continue efforts identifying best methods to apply
pesticides effectively and efficiently to control scab.
$90,000
Pulse improvement
program – North Dakota has experienced rapid growth
and continued interest in the pulse industry. Acreages of
pea, lentil, and chickpea have increased dramatically, particularly
in the central and western regions of North Dakota. North
Dakota leads the nation in pea production and acreage will
continue to increase as demand continues. Pea production
provides many benefits to the soil and environment and is
an excellent protein source for livestock feed. A faculty
position at the Main Station is needed to develop improved
varieties of pea, lentil, and chickpea that are adapted
to the northern Great Plains.
$200,000
Assistant breeder/agronomist
to be located at NCREC.
$150,000
Operating funds
for pulse research program.
$120,000
Horticultural
specialist – The annual economic impact of the horticulture
industry in North Dakota is approximately $471 million.
While most of this impact comes through the ornamental and
turf sector, interests in commercial horticulture are also
growing. Several areas have identified irrigated high value
crops (horticulture) as a priority economic development
opportunity. This industry involves both agricultural and
urban clientele, yet horticulture Extension support is limited
in western ND. This proposal is to establish an Extension
horticulture position in western ND.
$200,000
Sustainable and
Irrigated Agriculture – North Dakotans support current
production agriculture, but also see a need to explore long
term sustainability. The Dickinson REC is exploring new
sustainable agricultural opportunities through research
and Extension efforts, including coordination of the Professional
Development Program sponsored by the USDA Sustainable Agriculture
Research and Education Program. These research and Extension
programs will help rural North Dakotans develop new sustainable
systems to enhance the economic viability of rural areas
and to meet their economic, social and environmental needs
within a diversified agriculture. Additional support for
these efforts is needed, as is a strong program of direct
outreach to farmers and ranchers. One sustainable agricultural
specialist (70% Extension: 30% research) is needed at Dickinson
to provide this support and outreach to southwestern North
Dakota.
Irrigated agriculture
is becoming increasingly important in NW North Dakota, with
high value crops evident in the region. One research scientist
is needed to evaluate irrigated production practices in
ND, stationed at WREC.
$180,000
Multiple Land Uses
NDSU has extensive research in use of native land areas including
efforts to manage range lands. New understandings of functioning
of prairies for livestock and concurrent other uses, such
as wildlife, are rapidly emerging. These research results
suggest that there are opportunities for new income opportunities,
as well as for additional recreational uses for landowners.
Two positions as outlined below would allow the Extension
Service to work closely with landowners as they seek to enhance
uses of their land resources.
Natural Resource
Conservation – This specialist would work closely
with the ND State Soil Conservation Committee, the ND Association
of Soil Conservation Districts, local soil conservation
districts, research and Extension specialists throughout
the state, the NRCS, and others in developing programs to
assist farmers and landowners in using science-based land
management principles and seeking economic opportunities
for multiple land use.
$200,000
Wildlife –
This specialist would work with ND and federal wildlife
agencies and organizations, as well as research and Extension
colleagues to develop programs that address problems and
opportunities in multiple land uses such as coexisting wildlife/livestock
systems. Objectives would include development of educational
programs and information that will help sustain ND ranches
and farms while increasing the appreciation for the contribution
of agriculture to wildlife and wildlife habitat, as well
as to develop
science-based information for wildlife management.
$200,000
Effective and Efficient Infrastructure
Youth development
– 4-H programs serve more than 40% of North Dakota’s
youth. In many rural areas, 4-H is the only youth program
beyond public schools. In addition to developing technical
knowledge, 4-H’ers gain life skills. Two state specialist
positions are essential to assure that the 4-H program continues
to meet the needs of future generations of North Dakota’s
youth. One position is in the area of Agriculture and Natural
Resources programming for youth. This position will interact
with numerous faculty to prepare curricula for use by Extension
field staff and volunteers. The other position will develop
new programs to help youth become more involved in their
communities
and help adults and youth work together more effectively.
A companion emphasis will be to develop programs that help
youth find effective positive ways to function in their
communities and avoid risky behaviors.
$350,000
Parenting education
– In rural, as well as urban, North
Dakota communities, parents are working multiple jobs, are
divorcing at high rates, and are having difficulty effectively
rearing their children. Through a pilot program, the Extension
Service has developed parenting resource centers in Bismarck,
Dickinson, Fargo, and Grand Forks. Each of these serves
a multi-county region. There are collections of materials
on effective parenting that provide the basis for programs
and also can be used for self-study. The impacts of these
centers are significant. The request will allow for keeping
the existing center up-to-date and to create an additional
center in Minot.
$200,000
Strengthening
our Capacity to Serve North Dakota
Equipment Pool
– A revolving fund for equipment purchases has been
extremely successful for the Research Extension Centers.
Establishment of this fund has allowed each REC to purchase
expensive research equipment on a timely basis, with a degree
of regularity. In the 2005-07 Legislative session, a small
amount of funding ($50,000 to the Main Station for equipment)
was used to establish a similar revolving fund for the research
departments on the Main Station. In order to effectively
purchase both field and laboratory equipment, which is extremely
difficult using competitive grant funds, reasonable resources
are needed for this fund to be utilized successfully.
$450,000
Support Staff
(7) – Research Extension Centers have a desperate
need for additional office support staff to deal with the
changing and increasing demands of today’s workplace.
Decentralization and an increase in record keeping for compliance
issues, regulation, scheduling, accountability, data management,
and other facets of the ever-changing technologies place
extreme pressure on a reduced workforce to remain current.
$462,000
Operating funds
– A formula of $6,100 per scientist year (SY) has
been used for allocating operating funds to departments
on the Main Station. The costs associated with conducting
research important to the state continues to increase. An
increase in the formula funding to $10,000 per SY is needed
to stay in line with inflation and should be sufficient
for several years. In addition increased operating funds
for the REC’s to offset increases in fixed operating
costs, including energy.
$490,000
Web design and
information specialists (2) – In order to effectively
utilize the internet as a source of information to producers
and businesses in North Dakota, efficient, user-friendly
web-based information is needed. Continual updates and new
information sources requires additional personnel to carry
out these important tasks. Information design is critical
to allow interested individuals to obtain the much needed
material to allow their businesses remain competitive in
the global economy.
$250,000
Operating and
equipment – The NDSU Extension Service has a responsibility
to serve the entire state. State specialists located at
the NDSU campus in Fargo provide program leadership and
support to Extension agents and clientele through technology
and face-to-face engagement. Technology, travel, and other
program costs continue to increase. An increase in Extension
operating funding is needed to effectively serve the entire
state. Equipment funds are needed to address plant diagnostic
and other equipment needs.
$100,000
Growing Agriculture and Community Leadership
Leadership
development
Effective leaders
are vital to the success of communities-communities of interest
as well as communities of place. At times, agricultural
commodity groups, rural towns and local units of government
have few people willing to step forth to take on leadership
roles needed to champion efforts for the future. Our work
indicates that there are people who care deeply about the
future of their community of place or community of interest,
but they do not believe they have the skills or confidence
to lead efforts. Through organized community leadership
programs like Rural Leadership North Dakota (RLND) or Horizons,
the NDSU Extension Service has demonstrated capacity to
prepare emerging agricultural and other rural leaders from
throughout the state. These programs help build skills through
intensive training seminars, study tours and community projects.
The greatest impact comes from participants leading economic
and community projects in their own regions. They learn
by accomplishing and provide hope for their communities.
Numerous local,
business and philanthropic organizations provide support
for these activities. The request is for the coordinator
position. The person in this role will not only oversee
the current program, but will work with colleagues and others
to develop additional programs to expand local leadership
development efforts. This specialist will continue to pursue
the support for this program from other private and public
sources.
$200,000
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