The Accomplishments

. 1st state in the nation to be granted the authority to do risk assessments, take public comment and develop a plan on areas associated with the Endangered Species Act to minimize impacts to farmers and ranchers.

. 1st in the nation to create a State Pollinator Plan – that is now a “Best Management Practices” model for other states – to enhance communications between landowners and beekeepers.

. Co-hosted tours by federal officials to see first hand the impact of federal regulations on North Dakota farmers and ranchers.

. Oversaw North Dakota’s acceptance – second in the nation – into a new federal meat inspection program allowing state-inspected meat products to be exported to other states.

. Streamlined the state’s anhydrous ammonia regulations and developed an anhydrous ammonia education compliance program

. Serving as president for Food Export Midwest (FEM) since 2012 and past president of the 13-state Midwest Association of State Departments of Agriculture

. Appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack to serve on the AC 21-Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture, the only state agriculture commissioner chosen to work on a coexistence plan for U.S. agriculture.

. Facilitated a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the state of North Dakota, South Dakota, our grazing associations and the Forest Service on the implementation of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands plan.

The platform

I am proud of our accomplishments, but there is more work to be done. I will stay focused on the core issues facing North Dakota agriculture today, innovation, research, trade, while utilizing a common-sense approach.

lnnovation – embracing innovation and technology to keep us competitive in a global market.

Research – to allow us to be more efficient and more effective in producing commodities.

Trade – Exporting our agricultural surplus supports one out of four jobs in North Dakota. Since 2010, exports of ag commodities have increased by over 50 percent.