Statewide survey to raise awareness of producer needs

Nov. 6, 2023 — A statewide agricultural survey will help state and local agencies better understand the needs of North Dakota's agriculture producers. The online survey, which launches on Nov. 13, will be facilitated by the North Central U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Regional Food Business Center (RFBC), with assistance from the North Dakota Rural Electric Cooperative Foundation, a public charity created by the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC).

“The North Dakota Rural Electric Cooperative Foundation is proud to assist with this important survey,” says Josh Kramer, NDAREC executive vice president and general manager. “The results of the survey will ultimately help support a more resilient, diverse and competitive food system, which runs parallel with the foundation’s mission of ensuring quality of life for North Dakota’s rural residents.”

Farmers and food business owners are encouraged to complete the survey, which is available Nov. 13 through Dec. 11. A link to the survey can be found at www.farrms.org/nc-rfbc.

The survey aligns with North Central USDA RFBC’s goal to support smaller, more resilient farm and food practices, specifically focusing on the development of critical infrastructure for small and mid-sized livestock processing, fruit and vegetable processing, and warehouse space and storage operations. One of 12 centers formed across the U.S. by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, North Central USDA RFBC is comprised of 35 partner organizations across the Dakotas and Minnesota. 

North Dakota partners include the North Dakota Rural Electric Cooperative Foundation, North Dakota Farmers Union, North Dakota Local Food Development Alliance, North Dakota Women’s Business Center, Lake Agassiz Development Group, North Central Planning Council, Red River Regional Council, Souris Basin Planning Council, South Central Dakota Regional Council, Roosevelt Custer Regional Council for Development, Tri-County Regional Development Council and the Foundation for Agricultural and Rural Resources Management and Sustainability.

Founded by NDAREC in 2017, the North Dakota Rural Electric Cooperative Foundation is a public charity focused on assisting with quality-of-life initiatives that benefit North Dakota’s communities. The foundation’s objective is to assist communities in identifying solutions to challenges impacting rural residents.

NDAREC is the statewide trade association for 16 electric distribution cooperatives and five generation and transmission cooperatives operating in North Dakota. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to more than 250,000 North Dakotans. NDAREC services include legislative advocacy, line worker safety training and professional development services, cooperative business development, and communication services including publication of the North Dakota Living magazine.