Wheatland, ND – On Tuesday, April 22, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited the Grand Farm Innovation Campus to participate in a technology demonstration showcasing the latest advancements in autonomous and precision agriculture. The visit was hosted by U.S. Senator John Hoeven, who extended the invitation to Secretary Rollins during her confirmation hearing earlier this year.
Grand Farm, located just west of Casselton, is a collaborative initiative focused on solving the biggest challenges in agriculture through technology and innovation. By bringing together growers, industry leaders, startups, researchers, investors and government, Grand Farm serves as a national proving ground for AgTech solutions. Its work has positioned North Dakota at the forefront of agricultural innovation – particularly in the areas of autonomy, connectivity, and data-driven farming practices.
Senator Hoeven, a long-time champion of precision agriculture and rural innovation, emphasized the value of the visit in advancing federal understanding and support for agricultural technologies.
“North Dakota is an ag powerhouse today, and we’re making sure that, through innovation and good farm policy, our leadership in this vital sector continues to grow,” said Senator Hoeven. “I appreciate Secretary Rollins for accepting my invite to meet with our state’s farmers and ranchers right here in North Dakota and learn more about our region’s specific needs and priorities. Farming isn’t a monolith. If we want to keep our network of small family farms, we have to ensure the farm safety net actually works when it is needed most and in the wide variety of circumstances our producers face. At the same time, we are supporting our innovators through institutions like NDSU and Grand Farm in bringing new technologies to market that will help producers reduce their costs, stay competitive and continue providing the low-cost, high-quality food supply that all of America relies on every single day.”
During the demonstration, Secretary Rollins observed a range of cutting-edge agriculture technologies in action, including:
These demonstrations highlighted the wide range of applications for autonomy and technology application in both crop and livestock production – and the pivotal role North Dakota is playing in field testing and deployment.
“Grand Farm was honored to welcome Secretary Rollins and grateful to Senator Hoeven for making this visit possible,” said Greg Tehven, Grand Farm Board Chair. “The technologies showcased today are not just about efficiency, they represent the future of food production and rural vitality. We’re proud to show how innovation rooted in North Dakota is shaping national conversations about the future of farming.”
