Meeting Minutes April 22, 2026
The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education met for a regular meeting (virtual) on April 22, 2026. Present: Jim Bahm, Doug Bichler, Tom Bodine, Mike Clemens, John Dhuyvetter, Rep. Austin Foss, Aaron Galbreath, Chair Pam Gulleson, Scott Huso, Sen. Jerry Klein, Greg Lardy, John Nordgaard, and Scott Ouradnik. Absent: Interim Pres. Rick Berg, Doug Goehring, and Julie Zikmund.
Chair Gulleson called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Approval of March 4, 2026 Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Jim Bahm made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. John Nordgaard seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Administrative Update from Greg Lardy, Joe and Norma Peltier VP for Agriculture, Dean, Director, Director
Dr. Lardy reported on April 7 meetings with Senator Hoeven and USDA Undersecretary Dr. Scott Hutchins regarding federal partnerships. He also noted continued interest in the Food, Energy, and Water Security Initiative and the Agricultural Risk Policy Center, upcoming recognition of three College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources alumni at the Foundation’s Evening of Distinction on April 23, and completion of interviews for the Interim Associate Director of Extension position.
Administrative Update from Frank Casey, Associate Director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station
Dr. Casey gave updates on campus construction with the removal of the Lord and Burnham greenhouses and the Bolley Agricultural Laboratory which opens on May 4, and has a ribbon cutting planned for August 10.
He also shared updates on the Food, Energy, and Water Initiative and ongoing work with USDA ARS partners in Mandan, Fargo, and Grand Forks. Additionally, he gave updates on various positions including a return-on-investment postdoctoral hire scheduled to begin in August, a pulse crop breeder hired in Plant Sciences, and an ongoing pathologist search for the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
Governor’s Guidelines
Dr. Lardy and Gretchen Wagendorf reviewed Governor Armstrong’s budget guidelines released April 8. They discussed with the board the potential effects of the parameters around the upcoming legislative session. They noted that final agency budget submissions are due in late August.
SBARE Priority Materials
The board reviewed the approved priorities from the previous meeting for AES, Extension, and Capital requests.
MOTION: John Nordgaard made a motion to reopen discussion on the SBARE priorities in conjunction with the governor’s budget. Mike Clemens seconded the motion. Motion passed.
MOTION: Jerry Klein made a motion to direct the ag budget team to apply the governor’s budget recommendations to the SBARE priorities for further board review at the June meeting, including the 10% reductions for main station AES and NDSU Extension, the REC 3% contingency planning exercise, setting aside new capital construction and FTE requests, and considering restoration of the 10% reductions as a critical priority. Scott Huso seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Communications Strategy and Programmatic Updates
The board discussed the need for updated materials that reflect the governor’s budget guidelines and the board’s revised approach. Chair Gulleson said revised materials would be prepared and shared with the board in advance of the June meeting.
Other updates
Marlen Eve, NDAES Assistant Director for Field Operations, shared that the position for the director of the Langdon Research Extension Center had been posted and noted that SBARE member, Julie Zikmund, is serving on the search committee.
Tom Bodine added that the state expects additional federal dollars, noted that future USDA grants may include a 25% cost-share requirement, and reported continued growth and interest in animal agriculture, including dairies and feedlot expansion.
Comments from, Pam Gulleson SBARE Chair
Chair Gulleson thanked the board for its continued work and acknowledged the challenges of revisiting priorities after an extended planning process.
The meeting concluded at 10:04 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin McCall