Murphy’s Law Blog

This is the beginning of an effort to let soybean growers know what is happening in the North Dakota Legislature that could have direct or indirect consequences for your operation. My name is Phil Murphy and I was the state Senator until last month for much of the area between Fargo and Grand Forks – prime soybean country. The Growers have contracted with me to work with their long-time legislative watcher, Scott Rising. He can connect the dots from bills to effects on growers during this chaotic four month session like nobody’s business.
For example, I wondered why I was supposed to catch a Dept. Of Health hearing. “They might be releasing their Nutrient Management rules.” Oh… Just so you know, we have been sitting in committee meetings like Agriculture (obviously), Appropriations (wherein the last two days have been DOT, PSC and Water Commission budgets roads, bridges, water management, irrigation, elevator regulation and insolvency have been topics), Natural Resources, Finance and Tax (what is going to happen with property tax?). And a lot more.
My intent is to try to get a paragraph or two about important issues out to you, the growers, every other day or so. I was raised in farm country south of Fargo and have lived surrounded by soybeans, corn and wheat for the last forty years or so in Traill County. I had worked for the SB&B farm and feed lot outside of Casselton in my teens and early twenties.
This summer, I advocated for the growers on a trip to Taiwan and have helped host two different busloads of Japanese food-grade buyers in Traill the last few years. It is my intent to help soybean producers through developing relationships within the Ag community, Legislative and Executive branches and then sharing whatever benefit might ensue from that through this blog and other materials. As a former writer, editor and educator, I will do my best to keep you informed.