Meeting Minutes January 13-14, 2026
January 13, 2026 MEETING MINUTES | Fargo, ND
The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education met for a regular meeting on January 13, 2026. Present: Jim Bahm, Doug Bichler, Tom Bodine, Mike Clemens, John Dhuyvetter, Aaron Galbreath (virtual), Chair Pam Gulleson, Scott Huso, Sen. Jerry Klein, Greg Lardy, John Nordgaard, and Scott Ouradnik. Absent: Pres. David Cook, Doug Goehring, Rep. Alisa Mitskog, and Julie Zikmund.
Chair Gulleson called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Approval of December 10 and 11, 2025 Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Scott Huso made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Jim Bahm seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Administrative Update from Greg Lardy, Joe and Norma Peltier VP for Agriculture, Dean, Director, Director
Dr. Lardy notified the board of several upcoming meetings; Interim Higher Education Institutions Committee (January 15), Governor’s Executive Budget Meeting (February 11; joint with the Office of Management and Budget, Interim Agriculture and Water Management Committee (mid-June, date TBD), and hosting a delegation from the USDA-ARS (January 29; research administration and research leaders from USDA-ARS Centers in North Dakota). He provided updates on the Sagency strategic planning for SBARE, Bolley Laboratory construction, and the failed bids for storage shed structures at the Dickinson REC and Carrington REC.
Administrative Update from Lynette Flage, Associate Director NDSU Extension
Dr. Flage updated the board on the deadline for the search for candidates for the NDSU interim president. Additionally, she gave updates on an upcoming Extension NIFA Civil Rights review and special legislative session. She announced the 4-H participation in the 2026 Giving Hearts Day on February 12.
Administrative Update from Frank Casey, Associate Director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station
Dr. Casey announced the hiring of interim Veterinary Diagnostic Lab Director, Dr. Kelli Maddock. He noted working with Agribusiness and Applied Economics to fund studies in return on investment of ND AES research, and that a post doctorate candidate search is underway to do this work. He also provided an update on the active searches in the NDAES.
Comments from, Pam Gulleson SBARE Chair
Chair Gulleson briefed the board on the purpose of each department and REC programmatic review. She noted how it folds into the upcoming prioritization process.
NDSU Department and REC Programmatic Review Presentations
- ND Ag Experiment Station – Dr. Frank Casey
- Dr. Shana Forster, North Central REC
- Dr. Mike Ostlie, Carrington REC
- Brad Bisek, Agronomy Seed Farm
- Dr. Venkat Chapara, Langdon REC
- Dr. Chris Augustin, Dickinson REC
- Tyler Tjelde, Williston REC
- Dr. Christopher Schauer, Hettinger REC
- Dr. Rich Horsley, Plant Sciences
NDSU Extension Programmatic Review Presentations
- NDSU Extension – Dr. Lynette Flage
- Dr. Mohamed Khan, Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Dr. Carrie Johnson, Extension Family & Community Wellness
- Dr. Leigh Ann Skurupey, Extension 4-H Youth Development Program
Meeting adjourned at 4:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin McCall
January 14, 2026 MEETING MINUTES | Fargo, ND
The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education met for a regular meeting on January 14, 2026.
Present: Jim Bahm, Doug Bichler, Tom Bodine, Mike Clemens, Pres. David Cook, John Dhuyvetter, Aaron Galbreath (virtual), Chair Pam Gulleson, Scott Huso, Greg Lardy, John Nordgaard, Scott Ouradnik, and. Absent: Sen. Jerry Klein, Doug Goehring, Rep. Alisa Mitskog, and Julie Zikmund.
Chair Gulleson called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
NDSU Department and REC Programmatic Review Presentations
- Dr. Kevin Sedivec, Central Grassland REC
- Dr. Guillermo Scaglia, Animal Sciences
- Dr. Leon Schumacher, Agricultural Biosystems and Engineering
- Dr. Heidi Pecoraro, Veterinary Diagnostics Lab
- Dr. Christina Hargiss, School of Natural Resources and Sciences
- Dr. John McEvoy, Microbiological Sciences and Plant Pathology
- Dr. William Nganje, Agribusiness and Applied Economics
Prioritization Process
Chair Gulleson, Vice Chair Nordgaard, and Vice President Lardy facilitated the beginning of the SBARE prioritization process.
MOTION: Meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin McCall