Gov. Doug Burgum today participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Grand Farm Innovation Facility near Casselton, highlighting how the new home of Grand Farm will foster innovation in autonomous agriculture technology.
“North Dakota continues to be an innovative leader in ag technology. Today’s groundbreaking marks a milestone for Grand Farm’s private-public partnership, which will have a significant impact on our region and the acceleration of innovation in autonomous agriculture,” Burgum said. “Every major step in proving the Grand Farm concept and commercializing this technology keeps North Dakota on the cutting edge of autonomous agriculture and increases the potential for this technology to improve productivity for farmers and help address our state’s workforce challenge through automation. We’re grateful for all of the private and public partners who continue to drive this important initiative.”
Burgum announced in February that the North Dakota Department of Commerce had selected Grand Farm, which is led by Emerging Prairie, for a $10 million matching grant to advance autonomous agriculture technology in North Dakota. Federal funds for the matching grant were included in Burgum’s Accelerate ND plan in September 2021 and approved by the 67th Legislative Assembly during its special session last November.
In addition to Burgum, speakers at today’s groundbreaking included former Gov. Jack Dalrymple, current U.S. Senator and former Gov. John Hoeven, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and former Gov. Ed Schafer, state Reps. Don Vigesaa and Scott Meyer, entrepreneur Gary Tharaldson and Grand Farm board member Sarah Lovas.