Meeting Minutes June 9, 2026

The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education met for a regular meeting at the NDSU McGovern Alumni Center in Fargo on June 9, 2026. Present: Jim Bahm, Jace Beehler (on behalf of NDSU President Marshall Stewart) Doug Bichler, Tom Bodine (on behalf of Doug Goehring), Mike Clemens, Rep. Austin Foss, Chair Pam Gulleson, Scott Huso, Sen. Jerry Klein, Greg Lardy, John Nordgaard, and Julie Zikmund. Absent: Aaron Galbreath, John Dhuyvetter, and Scott Ouradnik.
Chair Gulleson called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.

Approval of April 22, 2026 Meeting Minutes

MOTION: Jim Bahm made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Scott Huso seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Administrative Update from Jace Beehler, Chief of Staff, President’s Office of NDSU

Jace Beehler provided updates on behalf of President Stewart, including an overview of the President’s background and early NDSU engagements. He noted that President Stewart plans to visit sites across North Dakota this summer, including NDSU Field Days, and meet with legislators, donors, alumni, and stakeholders.

Administrative Update from Greg Lardy, Joe and Norma Peltier VP for Agriculture, Dean, Director, Director

Dr. Lardy extended his congratulations and appreciation to Dr. Flage on her upcoming retirement after a decorated 32 years of service to NDSU Extension. Dr. Guillermo Scaglia has been appointed as the Interim Associate Extension Director following an internal search. He will begin on July 7. Lardy gave updates on ongoing searches for the interim Animal Sciences department head, Langdon REC director, Agronomy Seed Farm director, and Central Grasslands REC director.

He noted upcoming legislative meetings, including the Ag and Water Management Committee on June 17 and the Interim Higher Education Institutions Committee on June 18. He also discussed President Stewart’s summer engagement with NDSU Field Days, legislators, donors, and alumni, and announced an NDSU social on July 7 in Bismarck.

Dr. Lardy also provided an update on the “Trust Builds Voice” facet of the SBARE Strategic Plan.

Administrative Update from Lynette Flage, Associate Director NDSU Extension

Dr. Flage gave updates on the 4-H summer camping season and the State Fair Leader’s Showmanship Event on July 24. She provided an update on the Rural Heath Transformation funding in North Dakota and that Extension has received some funding for nutrition education and will be submitting a funding proposal for the Aging in Communities program.

The Ag and Energy Specialist position that was funded from the 2025 Legislative Session has been filled by Dr. Nicholas Tyack, who will be in the Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics starting in August. Vinicius de Souza Izquierdo was hired as the Beef Cattle Extension Specialist in the Department of Animal Sciences and will also start in August.

She announced the retirement of Dr. Tom Peters, NDSU Extension Sugarbeet Agronomist; and the departure Dr. Meagan Hoffman, 4-H Youth Development Specialist, and Dr. Travis Hoffman, Extension Sheep Specialist, who have each accepted positions at the Ohio State University.

Finally, she gave updates on the pillar of the strategic plan titled “Agility Fuels Impact.” Training, along with consistent, branded templates, will be available to faculty and staff in Extension and the Ag Experiment Station to develop impact statements for use by SBARE and partners. An internal, accessible shared space for SBARE for these impact statements and other resources is in the works.

Administrative Update from Frank Casey, Associate Director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station

Dr. Casey provided an update on the “Needs Drive Innovations” facet of the SBARE Strategic Plan, including work to strengthen advisory board structures across departments and RECs and better align research and Extension efforts and impacts with stakeholder needs.

He reported that an updated return-on-investment study from Dr. William Nganje is in draft form and will be shared with the board when finalized. He also discussed USDA-ARS partnerships, including work with Grand Farm and ARS on National Proving Ground activities focused on weed identification and elimination technologies.

Dr. Casey noted continued coordination with the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives regarding administration of the SBARE Agricultural Research Funds. He also reported recent hires, including Dr. Vinicius de Souza Izquierdo in a joint Extension and Experiment Station appointment, and Dr. Shulan Xiao, Research Assistant Professor in Meat Science, beginning July 1.

Updates from Tom Bodine on behalf of Commissioner of Agriculture Doug Goehring

Tom Bodine congratulated Dr. Flage, Julie Zikmund, and Doug Bichler on their time spent on SBARE. He noted Commissioner Goehring’s participation in State Mill and Elevator CEO interviews and discussed land-grant university engagement, increased interest in animal agriculture, infrastructure costs for new facilities, and New World screwworm monitoring.

Comments from Pam Gulleson SBARE Chair

Chair Gulleson reviewed the current status of the strategic planning for SBARE.

Legislative Landscape - Kayla Effertz Kleven

Kayla Effertz Kleven, a consultant working with NDSU through the NDSU Foundation, presented on the legislative landscape and strategies for board engagement.

Finalize Programmatic and Capital Improvement Priorities

MOTION: Senator Jerry Klein made a motion to accept the recommended changes for the SBARE capital improvements, NDSU Extension programmatic priority requests, and ND AES programmatic priority requests. The revised versions of the NDSU Extension and NDAES programmatic requests were developed to be in compliance with the governor’s budget recommendations. They both included a priority request for the restoration of the 10% budget reduction recommended by the Governor. Jim Bahm seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Field Day Attendance

The board reviewed and scheduled SBARE participation in the NDSU Field Days.

SBARE Officer Selection and Member Recognition

Chair Gulleson opened elections for the Chair and Vice Chair positions.

MOTION: Scott Huso nominated John Nordgaard to serve as Chair of SBARE. Seconded by Mike Clemens. Doug Bichler made a motion to cease nominations and cast a unanimous vote for John Nordgaard as Chair. Motion passed. Doug Bichler nominated Pam Gulleson to serve as Vice Chair. Julie Zikmund seconded. Mike Clemens made a motion to cease nominations and cast a unanimous vote for Pam Gulleson as vice chair. Motion passed.

MOTION: Julie Zikmund made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Doug Bichler seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 3:41 p.m.

A tour of the Bolley Agriculture Laboratory followed the adjournment of the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,
Erin McCall