Meeting Minutes May 8, 2025
May 8, 2025 Meeting Minutes | Virtual
The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education met for a regular meeting on May 8, 2025. Present: Doug Bichler, Pres. David Cook, John Dhuyvetter, Doug Goehring, Pam Gulleson, Sen. Jerry Klein, Greg Lardy, Sarah Lovas, and Mark Urquhart. Absent: Jim Bahm, Mike Clemens, Rep. Alisa Mitskog, John Nordgaard, Scott Ouradnik, and Julie Zikmund
Chair Lovas called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
Approval of March 18, 2025 Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Mark Urquhart 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 announced that the Alan Kallmeyer was selected as Dean of the College of Engineering and Jace Beehler and Chief of Staff for the Office of the president. Current searches include the Dean of the Graduate School and the Provost for Office of the Provost.
He noted details about the campus visit from Admiral Munch, upcoming commencement, University website changes, Strategic Planning efforts, and meetings with the new interim chancellor, Brent Sanford.
Finally, he updated the board on the 69th Legislative session outcomes, future credit options for student, enrolment reports and government funding formula changes.
Administrative Update from Greg Lardy, Joe and Norma Peltier VP for Agriculture, Dean, Director, Director
Dr. Greg Lardy provided several updates to the board, including progress on hiring for the endowed chair and professor of practice positions at the Peltier Institute. He noted that the Institute’s scholarship program has been finalized and award notifications have been sent to student recipients.
Among student highlights, forty-two students will participate in this summer’s “Bison in the Bakken” experience, and a select group was invited to have lunch with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins, Governor Armstrong, Commissioner Goehring, and Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak. Dr. Lardy reported that the roundtable event hosted at NDSU with Secretary Rollins and North Dakota agriculture stakeholders was well received.
He emphasized that NDSU Agriculture continues to closely monitor the evolving federal budget landscape.
He also noted the “NDSU of Distinction” celebration, which recognized outstanding alumni and partners, including Doug Dunkin, Kelly Swanson, the North Dakota Wheat Commission, the North Dakota Soybean Council, and the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council.
Dr. Lardy shared construction updates on the Bolley Field Lab and noted preliminary planning efforts for replacing the Shepperd Arena. He announced ongoing searches for the Director of the Williston Research Extension Center (currently led by interim Chair Dr. Tyler Tjelde), AES Assistant Director of Field Operations (interim Dr. Shana Forster), and the Chair of Plant Pathology (interim Dr. Sam Markell). He also acknowledged the retirements of Blaine Schatz, former AES Assistant Director, and Dr. Jack Rasmussen, former Chair of Plant Pathology.
Administrative Update from Lynette Flage, Associate Director NDSU Extension
Dr. Flage provided an update on the Next Chapter Program, a 4-H initiative designed for students from 8th grade through high school seniors, developed in partnership with the NDSU Admissions Office. NAME has been made to support this program.
She also shared that she has been visiting county offices across the state, noting that the western region is currently experiencing challenges due to wildfires and drought.
Preparations are underway for the 4-H Leader Showmanship event scheduled for July 26th.
Dr. Flage reported that federal budget cuts announced last Friday include a 35% reduction in NIFA funding, which impacts both AES and Extension. The language of the cut is specific, and the situation is being closely monitored. Additionally, she is keeping an eye on HB1176, a recently passed property tax bill that caps the increase at 3%, potentially affecting county extension budgets.
Administrative Update from Frank Casey, Associate Director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station
Dr. Casey reported on the success of the University Industry Consortium (UIC) event co-hosted between NDSU and Grand Farm, at which an overview of the SBARE process was included in the program.
He also noted that USDA-ARS leadership hosted leadership from Washington DC, including Joon Park, where they visited and highlighted the value of ARS’s collaborative funding network.
Dr. Casey gave updates on his recent visit to the University of Georgia, where they are establishing a partnership with Grand Farm. As part of this initiative, he was invited to present at the Institute for Integrated Agriculture in Perry, Georgia, with the goal of engaging industry partners and start-ups similar to the North Dakota Grand Farm Model.
Comments from Sarah Lovas, SBARE Chair
Chair Lovas thanked the NDSU leadership team for their work during the legislative session and emphasized the ongoing need to orient new legislators to the SBARE process. She encouraged the board to begin planning for the 2025 NDSU Field Days.
She announced the confirmation of two new SBARE members by the Higher Education Board: Jason Schmidt (Extension appointee) and Scott Huso (Ag Coalition appointee). Chair Lovas also noted that her term will conclude on July 1, and that Mark Urquhart will complete his first term and not seek reappointment. Elections, including for a new SBARE Chair, will take place at the next meeting.
Updates from Doug Goehring, Agriculture Commissioner, Department of Agriculture.
Commissioner Goering provided additional legislative updates from the Department of Agriculture and highlighted upcoming meetings in Washington, DC. He also noted the success of the recent roundtable with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, held at NDSU’s Peltier Complex.
Legislative Updates
Dr. Lardy gave updates on SB2020 results in relation to the 2025 – 2027 SBARE prioritization process.
MOTION: Senator Jerry Klein made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Pam Gulleson seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin McCall