Food, Energy and Water Security

North Dakota State University launched the transdisciplinary Food, Energy, and Water Security (FEWS) Initiative in 2023 to establish a strong foundation for research in these critical areas.

Funding for the FEWS Initiative is driven primarily by federal investment, with U.S. Senator John Hoeven playing a pivotal role in securing the resources needed to launch the program. This federal support is strategically leveraged with state research funding to ensure that the initiative addresses critical stakeholder needs in agriculture by rapidly responding with the most advanced technological solutions.

The FEWS Initiative is designed to tackle pressing challenges in food, energy, and water resources with a strong emphasis on innovation. Research priorities include autonomous systems, advanced sensors, high-throughput data platforms, agricultural data security, precision agriculture, and predictive crop performance.

As a national leader in research and as a land-grant institution, NDSU is committed to delivering outcomes from this initiative that will have lasting, positive impacts; ensuring a sustainable and secure supply of food, energy, and water for decades to come.