WHEATLAND, ND — North Dakota and U.S. lawmakers traveled to the opening of Grand Farm, which is described as key reason why the state will drive innovation in agriculture.
Grand Farm started as an idea proposed by Barry Batchellor, who encouraged the region to establish it’s “major”. This led to several millions of dollars in funding, donations of land, and now the completion of the Grand Farm Test Site. At the grand opening outside the facility, autonomous drones and machinery worked the fields, as technology and agriculture leaders across the region gathered to hear about the future of farming in the state.
U.S. Senator John Hoeven was one of many attending political leaders congratulating members of Grand Farm for their grand opening. He spoke alongside several others, including North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Congressman Kelly Armstrong, Emerging Prairie co-founder Greg Tehven, and several others.
“What we are talking about leading the nation – probably the world – in precision agriculture,” Hoeven said, summarizing the event in an interview with WDAY Radio. “Nobody has got what we got, and that’s what you see here with this innovation shop. It’s just part of this incredible partnership between NDSU, Ag Research Services nationally, and between Grand Farm, National Science Foundation, all of these players and the best farmers in the world right here.”
The facility is expected to be the center of agriculture in the region. Recently dubbed “The Ag Innovation Corridor” by local and state officials, Grand Farm is designed to facilitate research agricultural products and technologies. You can learn more about Grand Farm by clicking here.
Senator Hoeven also announced a Senate Subcommittee Hearing will be taking place out at Grand Farm in the summer of 2024. This will allow Senators from across the country to view a completed Grand Farm facility. A set date has yet to be announced.
