Grand Farm, energized by Emerging Prairie, is testifying at the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies regarding “Diversifying On-Farm Income: Opportunities to Strengthen Rural America”. The testimony will take place at 10:00am EST (9:00 CST) at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. The hearing can be viewed online at the livestream here. 

The testimony will be given by Brian Carroll, the Director of Grand Farm. The focus of the testimony will be on the history and inception of the Grand Farm, the collaboration being developed both regionally and nationally, and educating the subcommittee members on the evolution of innovation in agriculture technology.

To view Grand Farm’s full written testimony, click here.

Senator Hoeven, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee shared thoughts on the testimony, “We’re grateful to have Brian in D.C. this week to highlight the potential of precision agriculture technologies and the innovations that will help keep our farmers and ranchers competitive in the global marketplace. The insights he shares with the committee will be beneficial as we continue working to ensure federal support for projects like Grand Farm and further advance the next generation of precision agriculture.”

A key partner in the development of Grand Farm has been Microsoft, who invested $1.5 million early on in the story to accelerate the momentum. Taya Spelhaug, TechSpark Manager at Microsoft and Board Member for Grand Farm has been leading the charge. “Microsoft has invested into the Grand Farm Initiative to provide our local and regional workers in North Dakota with digital skills to maximize their employability; create high-skilled jobs; and support start-up businesses. Our vision is for Grand Farm to be seen around the world as a hub for innovation and I’m pleased that Microsoft’s technology combined with North Dakota skilled farmers and entrepreneurs will help to build the ‘farm of the future’.”

“The Red River Valley has a long history of agricultural innovation with locally grown companies. Building on that history, Grand Farm is working to accelerate research and innovation to develop technologies for the farm of the future,” shared Brian Carroll, Director of Grand Farm. “I’m excited to be sharing our region’s unique history with members of the United States Senate and a national audience.” 

Grand Farm will be testifying alongside other experts on innovation and agriculture from across the Midwest, including Sandhills AgInnovation Center, the Center for Dairy Research, the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, and Land O’ Lakes, Inc. 

For Immediate Release 4/29/21

• Media Contact: Dana Peterson, Chief Strategy Officer
• (701) 630-0989
• danap@emergingprairie.com