701-566-9300The Ag Coalition met in Mandan on July 22. The Ag Coalition is a nonpartisan federation of more than 45 organizations representing specific commodities and/or associations with a direct interest in agriculture, for the specific purpose of addressing issues that affect North Dakota agriculture.
It was an interesting and important meeting in terms of both the immediate and future mission and structure of the Coalition. One of the discussions and actions focused on how the organization begins to ramp-up our legislative involvement and actions. There was a strong consensus that agriculture cannot wait until December or just prior to the commencement of the next legislative session in January to advocate or address concerns. We need to initiate discussions and advocacy now.
The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education (SBARE) has determined its legislative funding priorities for NDSU Extension and its Agricultural Experiment Station for the next legislative session. These priorities are important because the legislature takes these recommended funding priorities for NDSU into serious consideration with some deference, and support from the agricultural community often coalesces around these priorities for funding purposes and approvals. Governor Armstrong asked state agencies, including NDSU, to make a 10% budget reduction. This reduction will have a significant negative impact on agriculture. As noted by SBARE, “past legislative investments built world-class research infrastructure at the Main Station and all Research Extension Centers.” Operating support for these facilities is necessary and important for agricultural research and this resulting reduction in research will yield a loss in crucial research for North Dakota agriculture. Therefore, it is a critical priority for SBARE to achieve restoration of this funding cut to the NDSU Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Station. Coalition members requested the executive committee begin advocacy efforts for restoration of the proposed 10% budget reduction.
The Coalition has been considering how to move forward with improvements to the function, effectiveness, et cetera of the Coalition in the future regarding the structure, legislative, educational, and other priorities of the Coalition. Following a membership survey, the members decided that leadership should form a committee of volunteers to undertake this process. The organization will form the committee and has asked for volunteers. Representative Mike Beltz immediately volunteered for the committee. Other interested individuals from member organizations are encouraged to contact the Ag Coalition to volunteer to serve on the committee and leadership will select and implement the committee.
The Ag Coalition’s next meeting is December 2 in Bismarck at 9:00 a.m. in the North Dakota Heritage Center.
(The views expressed herein are mine and are not necessarily the views of the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association.)