Corporate Farming Referendum Almost Certain

North Dakota’s biggest farm group says it has gathered enough signatures to force a referendum on the Legislature’s loosening of the Depression-era ban against corporate farming.

North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne says the group turned in 21,000 signatures.

They needed just under 14,000 to get on the June 2016 ballot.

The Secretary of State now has 35 days to verify the signatures.

Gov. Dalrymple signed the legislation in March that exempts ailing pork and dairy operations from the state’s anti-corporate farming law.