Agriculture

North Dakota Expanding Hay Donation Lottery

The first lottery drawing will be in September

  NORTH DAKOTA — North Dakota is expanding its hay donation lottery to ranchers struggling with the drought in surrounding states. The lottery is now open to producers in South Dakota and Montana. NDSU, the state Ag Department and Ag Community Relief set up a site on the college campus to accept hay donations that will be given to producers…

Governor Burgum Requesting Federal Help for Drought Relief

The governor said nearly 95 percent of the state is being impacted by drought conditions

  BISMARCK, ND — Gov. Burgum is asking for help on the federal level due to the severe drought conditions throughout the state. He is asking for a presidential disaster declaration through the regional FEMA office and would allow individual and direct federal assistance. Gov. Burgum is also asking for staff from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and other federal…

EPA Administrator Coming to North Dakota

Later that day, he is set to tour the Energy and Environmental Research Center at UND and hold another round table

  FARGO, ND — EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is coming to North Dakota next week. Gov. Burgum’s office says Pruitt is scheduled to participate Wednesday in a round table discussion in Fargo on federal regulations involving navigable rivers and lakes. Later that day, he is set to tour the Energy and Environmental Research Center at UND and hold another round…

New African Exhibit at the Chahinkapa Zoo

Zoo Goers can see Zebras and the Zoo Vet in the new African Exhibit

WAHPETON, ND — The new African exhibit at the Chahinkapa Zoo offers zoo goers a different experience. The exhibit that opened in June allows people to see the zebras not only outdoors through a fence, but also inside where they sleep and eat. Three zebras occupy the exhibit now, but honey badgers are expected to be in there by the…

North Dakota Businesses Interested in Dispensing Medical Marijuana

Voters last November approved medical marijuana, and the Legislature earlier this year crafted regulations

  NORTH DAKOTA — Nearly 100 groups and businesses in North Dakota have shown interest in either producing or dispensing medical marijuana. That pleases state officials who are establishing a network for making the drug available to qualified patients by next summer. Voters last November approved medical marijuana, and the Legislature earlier this year crafted regulations. The Health Department is…

Hog Operation Proposed in Ramsey County

The department will hold a public meeting at some point on the environmental permitting process

  RAMSEY COUNTY, ND — North Dakota’s Health Department is considering an application from a proposed hog operation in Ramsey County. Grand Prairie Agriculture wants to build a 2,700 hog operation about 10 miles west of Devils Lake. Some people in the area are concerned about property values and environmental problems, while others see a potential boost to the economy….

TOWN OF THE YEAR: Abercrombie Shatters Voting Records with More Than 150,000 Votes

The town of around 280 people received more than 150,000 votes in the final round

ABERCROMBIE, ND — Abercrombie, North Dakota shattered all previous voting records to win our Town of the Year Contest. The town of around 280 people received more than 150,000 votes in the final round. Chief Meteorologist Rob Kupec spent the day getting to find out what make this town tick. Rob met one of the nominators of Abercrombie for Town…

North Dakota Farmers Hoping to Salvage Crops

Wheat farmers in western North Dakota are seeing the impact of the drought

NORTH DAKOTA — There’re acres of dry dirt where wheat should be growing. Now, farmers in North Dakota just hope to save a portion of their crop. Wheat farmers in western North Dakota are seeing the impact of the drought. One farmer in Belfield said his production is just one-third of what it usually is. North Dakota wheat farmer Ed…

Weathering The Perfect Storm: What’s To Come In The Ag Industry Economy

Is this the new normal? And if you're not in agriculture, why should you care?

Looking for predictions on how the region’s economy is going to fare in the not–too–faraway future? You might want to talk to an agricultural economics specialist. North Dakota’s growers and ranchers are weathering a perfect storm of rough conditions for turning a profit. The western half of the state is suffering under a serious drought that’s slowly creeping eastward. And…

Kids Learn About Nature at Buffalo River State Park

Science Saturday took place with a lesson focused on the weather

GLYNDON, Minn. — Kids at Buffalo River State Park got a lesson about weather. Science Saturday is a weekly event at the park where kids learn about a new topic in science each week. They spent most of the time walking by the river asking questions about the skies to expert instructors. The people who put up these events say…