Meeting Minutes March 18, 2025
March 18, 2025 Meeting Minutes | Bismarck, ND
The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education met for a regular meeting on March 18, 2025. Present: Jim Bahm, Doug Bichler, Mike Clemens, Pres. David Cook, Pam Gulleson, Greg Lardy, John Nordgaard, Scott Ouradnik, Mark Urquhart, and Julie Zikmund. Absent: John Dhuyvetter, Doug Goehring, Sen. Jerry Klein, Sarah Lovas, and Rep. Alisa Mitskog.
Vice Chair Nordgaard called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Jim Bahm made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Pam Gulleson seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Administrative Update from David Cook, President of NDSU
President Cook provided the Board with updates on the status of various NDSU-related bills currently moving through the legislative session, as well as recent student enrollment figures.
Administrative Update from Greg Lardy, Joe and Norma Peltier VP for Agriculture, Dean, Director, Director
Dr. Lardy updated the Board on NDSU Agriculture’s strategy and responses to recent federal developments, in collaboration with NDSU leadership. He noted potential changes to grants, scholarships, and funding.
He reported that construction of the Bolley Field Lab remains on schedule, with staff hiring expected to begin this summer. Dr. Lardy also provided updates on various Research Extension Center (REC) construction projects, most of which are completed or nearing completion.
Dr. Lardy announced that Dr. Shana Foster has been serving as Acting Director of the Williston Research Extension Center, with a search for a permanent director planned later this spring. Additional searches will be launched for the Assistant Director of Field Operations, North Dakota Agriculture Experiment Station, and for the NDSU CAFSNR Plant Pathology Department Chair.
He further noted his involvement in a panel discussion related to carbon sequestration with elected officials and business leaders from the area. Projects involving carbon dioxide sequestration, storage and utilization are expected to bring significant benefits to North Dakota.
Finally, Dr. Lardy shared that the Peltier Institute for Advancement in Agricultural Technology has awarded its inaugural round of scholarships. Efforts are underway for both an internal search for an endowed chair and an external search for a professor of practice, and formation of an advisory board.
Administrative Update from Lynette Flage, Associate Director, NDSU Extension
Dr. Flage noted the success of NDSU Agriculture’s representation at Ag Day at the State Capitol, where a booth was staffed by Drs. John McEvoy and Shana Forster.
She announced that four applications have been submitted for the SBARE Extension appointment for the multi-program unit including the counties of Sheridan, Wells, Eddy, Foster, Stutsman, Kidder, Burleigh, Emmons, Logan, McIntosh.
She also reported the recent hiring of Extension veterinarian, Dr. Justin Galbreath.
With the proposed Riverview Dairy projects planned for eastern North Dakota, Extension personnel have visited Riverview Dairy to be able to provide education and resources on proposed dairy operations in North Dakota. She also shared that the NDSU Center for 4-H Youth Development received a grant to develop early education programs focused on energy and carbon.
The Aging in Community Project, where small rural communities work to aid aging populations to continue living at home, is a pilot program that has shown great potential return on investment for North Dakota. The national television show “The Morning Show” has been filming for a segment on the program.
Administrative Update from Frank Casey, Associate Director, of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station
Dr. Casey gave updates on various connections he has been making during his travel, in collaboration with Grand Farm, to the World Agritech Conference. He noted the strong interest in North Dakota Agriculture at the meeting and additional interest from the General Council of Israel.
Comments from John Nordgaard, SBARE Vice Chair
Vice Chair Nordgaard welcomed Scott Huso, who was in the attendance. Huso was nominated to the SBARE board as an Ag Coalition appointee. Upon approval by the North Dakota University System Chancellor, he will begin his first term in July.
Nordgaard expressed his gratitude for NDSU leadership and the SBARE collaboration during the current legislative session.
Review of 2025 SBARE Dates and Field Day Schedules
The board reviewed the various upcoming events for SBARE.
Capital Projects Process
Gretchen Wagendorf, NDSU Ag Budget Director, provided the board with additional information from the previous meeting for the drafted capital project process and forms.
MOTION: Mark Urquhart made a motion that the NDAES capitol project request form, with the additional requirements of advisory board and stakeholder letters of support, be implemented for the capitol project prioritization process for SBARE. Pam Gulleson seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Legislative Updates
NDSU Agriculture leadership discussed with the board the various details, results, and updates of current bills in progress.
2025-2026 Legislative Engagement Strategy
Dr. Lardy discussed with the board the potential challenges and strategies related to the turnover of legislators due to term limits.
Lunch provided to the board.
MOTION: Julie Zikmund made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mark Urquhart seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 2:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin McCall