Future Farmer Sep/Oct 2023 by Spotlight Media

Seth Crawford,

AGCO and Grand Farm's Big Announcement The Dakota Smart Farm is Closer to Reality Than You Might Think

Why Choose Stine Seed?

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FEATURING

COVER STORY

CONTENTS 26

GRAND FARM & AGCO MAKE GROUNDBREAKING ANNOUNCEMENT

THE GREEN MACHINE: HOW SULFER KEEPS YOUR CROP THRIVING

BEAT THE FARMING BURNOUT

DCN RECEIVES A $19.7 MILLION GRANT TO REDUCE COST OF NETWORK EXPANSION

STARTUPBREW

GRAND FARM ANNOUNCES ACHIEVEMENT OF PHASE 1 OF IT'S INNOVATION CAMPUS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

EMERGING PRAIRIE

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AND MORE...

September/October 2023 Volume 4 Issue 5

Future Farmer Future Farmer is published 6 times a year and is direct mailed to farmers throughout North Dakota and Minnesota. Find us online at Futurefarmermag.com.

Publisher EDITORIAL Editorial Team Lead Editors Art Director Editorial Graphic Designer

Mike Dragosavich Brady Drake FargoInc@SpotlightMediaFargo.com Geneva Nodland, Grant Ayers Kim Cowles Ty Betts

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Josiah Kopp

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Contributors

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Nick Schommer Kellen Feeney Tommy Uhlir Megan Suedbeck Ben Buchanan

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Future Farmer is published by Spotlight LLC, Copyright 2023 Future Farmer. All rights reserved. No parts of this magazine may be reproduced or distributed without written permission of Future Farmer, and Spotlight LLC, is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to or reliance on such information. Spotlight LLC, accepts no liability for the accuracy of statements made by the advertisers.

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SPONSORED CONTENT Paul Adams Co-Owner, Thunder Seed by Josiah Kopp

Thunder Seed Annual Recap An exclusive interview with Thunder Seed's Paul Adams by Josiah Kopp provided by Future Farmer

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arlier this summer, Thunder Seed hosted its annual dealer launch, bringing all owners, dealers, and team members under one roof, recapping numbers, and discussing all of the innovations, research, development, and exciting things on the horizon for Thunder. It was also the first time since the pandemic that Thunder Seed Canada joined the U.S. dealers, further bringing value and perspectives to the keynotes and information that was shared throughout the dealer launch. I had the privilege of sitting down with Adams Seed owner and Thunder Seed co-owner Paul Adams to shed light on the company's unique approach to seed development and dive deeper into the rumble Thunder Seed is bringing to the seed world. Adams is an integral part of the Thunder Seed family and his insight and expertise in the seed world brings an even greater layer of knowledge to everything going on in both the field and behind the scenes.

Q: I was interested when you were talking about the Thunder Seed product line development and some of the key relationships with all these different major breeding programs. Can you share more about that? A: Thunder has had a great relationship over the years with pretty much all the genetic providers in the industry. Mike Dietrich (Thunder Seed COO) has done a fantastic job. And of course, prior to Thunder Seed, he was with a major genetic supplier. So he has great background experience with genetic knowledge and relationships with people, which definitely has helped us through the years. The beauty of an independent seed company is that we can have those relationships with pretty much

everyone because we're not really signed in one camp, so to speak. It gives us access to go wherever we need to go or pick and choose what works best for us.

move forward as is. A lot of these genetics might be relatively small demographic-wise, but you have a hybrid that works better for very specific areas.

Q: How does that allow you to keep data points and analyze progress, and, in turn, share that transparency and growth with other Thunder Seed team members at these dealer launches?

A larger genetic company can't use that hybrid because it doesn't work across a wide demographic. Like they say, 'You can't be everything to everyone.' But we try our best to do that. And that's one of the things that our dealers are really seeing is that we're one of the few companies that is able to do that because one variety doesn't have to work from Wisconsin to Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Ohio, Washington, wherever—we really tailor make it for where our focus is on selling.

A: Our customers are seed dealers also so they can see progress and genetics. One thing that really allows us to be different is that we get to choose from the whole gamut of genetics on both corn hybrids and bean varieties. We get to tailor-make for what's in each grower's specific area. And that's allowed us to really

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Q: What can you tell me about these new corn traits? A: With some of these new traits and genetics coming in, we've looked at multiple genetic platforms. And they've come on really strong in the last couple of years to fit our area and our needs, whether that's great agronomics on the genetic side thrown in the corn, or some different choices for customers with different traits, or whether we're seeing more Rootworm pressure. We're seeing people wanting to go different routes, so we're seeing a little bit of a difference with what our customers want—and we are able to provide products with different trait platforms. Q: What can you tell me about some of the different relationships you're building across the nation with companies like Bayer and Syngenta and what you're learning from them?

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A: For a lot of the replicated trials, they're focusing the research a lot more in our trade areas. So we're able to (Mike Dietrich, especially) look at stuff right in our backyard, more than we ever have before, just due to the fact that a lot of these major companies want to advance their traits and want to advance those genetics, probably more so than they ever have before. Just because of all the consolidation of the seed industry, the number of seed companies is getting less and less, and the genetic companies and a lot of these breeding companies are getting bigger and more robust. They're investing a lot more into what we call 'earlier hybrids' on the corn and bean varieties. So, we're seeing the Corn Belt move further north. These companies are investing more in their research and product portfolio as they go north. That has helped Thunder Seed, just due to the fact that it's just more product to select from and better

products to use. But also, we're seeing where Thunder Seed's footprint really is—being able to see stuff right in our backyard is ideal. Q: How important is Thunder Seed and this area in the grand scope of all this nationwide and global research? A: Well, for a while, I'd say Minnesota, North Dakota, and Canada have been one of the largest expanding corn markets in the world, just due to the fact that we're getting earlier hybrids. You're seeing a lot more corn going on farms and you're seeing this yield trend go up. I know when we first started, 200 bushels of corn was not really a thing. And now that's kind of the standard. So the corn market has really expanded and their research has really expanded in to this area.

Q: What role are drones playing in all of this? I understand drone imaging is used to help identify crop health, diseases, and other things? A: Plant health is a big thing. And you can even look at plant health with drone imaging and pickup things like stand counts, diseases, or insect pressures. Way back, it involved walking out and scouting that field, which took time and manpower and you missed a lot of stuff. For example, with satellite imaging, which we do on my farm alone, we raised silage for a large dairy farm in the area, and they used all satellite imaging and drone work to actually figure out harvest order in the field. So it's used every day. Technology has been a huge part of [our operations]. Just by drone imaging, I can tell which plants are healthy and how well they're doing. Q: How does a drought-resistant seed work and what goes into that? What are those characteristics that you try to implement into a newly developed seed? A: Anything that is a DroughtGard® Hybrid is actually a genetic trait made by Bayer Crop Science. In contrast, some companies may use similarsounding words to designate products that are drought-tolerant but not with an actual genetic trait. So the DroughtGard® Hybrid is actually the only platform that is technically a genetic trait that is the modification of the corn. So we've got some hybrids that are in a DroughtGard® trait trade platform in the bag, but we also have hybrids that are naturally selected that are showing drought tolerance. We've got a 95-day that's a shorter stature plant that's very drought resistant. So a lot of times, Mike will go to research plots and look at certain hybrids to see how they react in drought conditions in replicated trials. We'll get to see how all those hybrids perform right in our back door. Now with this dry trend here, we're needing something with a little bit more drought resistance—it's a priority now to get these hybrids out there and see how they perform in stressful conditions.

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Final thoughts One of the things that I really want to stress is that there are major seed companies in the industry that are nationwide. And there are regional seed companies in the industry that are a lot more local—a lot more home

base. The advantage that I see from a regional company is back to that fact that we are very specific in the area that our customers are in. Like I said, we live in those areas, we do business in those areas, and those hybrids and those bean varieties are looked at on a more focused scale. If you took what we do as regional

companies to sell in a [multiple] state area versus a major seed company, they would have to have 15 to 20 times more selection of hybrids to fit the niche that we're fitting. With a regional company [like Thunder Seed], you're going to get something a lot more tailor-made for your own backyard.

Looking for a seed trait that's right for your field? Contact Thunder Seed to get started! thunderseed.com 218.422.9011 806 Center Ave W Dilworth, MN

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It's Not Just a Job, IT'S a Calling How Heartland Trust enables Jon Benson to live his passion in serving the community By Josiah Kopp |

Josiah Kopp

nyone who has the privilege of meeting Jon Benson, Vice President and Director of Business Development of Heartland Trust Company knows that he's someone who cares very deeply about people and helps them navigate family and financial challenges, far beyond standard expectations. Jon is one of those down-to-earth individuals who is truly passionate about helping people and extends himself in ways that help make both him and Heartland a couple of the most trusted names in the community. I had the privilege of sitting down with Jon to discuss more about his vocation, and how his role at Heartland Trust is making a lasting impact on lives here in the Fargo-Moorhead community.

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Jon first got the opportunity to join Heartland Trust Company in 2014 through his involvement in the community, serving on the board for a number of nonprofits. "One of the things that really enticed me about joining Heartland was that I found it was an organization that allowed me to care to the level that I thought was necessary to provide the best experiences for our clients," Jon said. "It also gave me the freedom to go beyond the traditional limitations that you find with other financial institutions. That's allowed me to step in and be that trusted voice on many other levels from our clients that you don't always get the opportunity to be a part of."

Jon Benson visiting with the Melvin Grain Farm family, a client who has benefited from Heartland Trust's guidance.

For Jon, it's all about how he can provide his service on a daily basis because, given the nature of his role, the most important thing going on in his clients' lives at that particular time is that conversation or phone call they are having with him—and it's his goal to show his clients he is invested in helping them navigate whatever challenges they're facing.

"Personally, I don't look at what I do here as a job, I look at it as a calling," Jon said. "I love what I do each and every day." The opportunities that Heartland Trust provides, unlike other institutions that he's experienced, is that they're looking for reasons to do things rather than reasons not to. While for some organizations it may be easy to say no, Jon believes that's what he's called to do—saying 'yes' more and helping people find a way.

Jon is often referred to as a sort of charismatic ambassador for Heartland Trust; being a trusted voice no matter what the circumstances might be for the client. He even took the time to further invest in himself and became a Certified Farm Succession Planner through the North Dakota Extension Office, allowing him to be a greater resource to Heartland Trust clients in the farming community. CONTINUED >

About Jon Moorhead, MN, native Jon Benson has been with Heartland Trust Company in October for 9 years. He has over 32 years of comprehensive personal, business, and financial services experience. He is married to his wonderful wife of over 20 years Jessica and has two children, Gabe and Nora. He is proud to watch them compete on golf courses and soccer fields all over the country. The Concordia College alumn has an impressive resume, having previously worked as a Vice President and Private Banking Relationship Manager with Wells Fargo and as the Executive Director of the Essentia Health Regional Foundation. At Heartland Trust, Jon works closely with his clients and nonprofit foundations in the areas of personal trust administration, IRA rollovers, investments, charitable trusts, asset management, and financial and estate planning. He also holds a certification as a Farm Succession Planner. Jon is active in the community serving as the past President of the Board for Hospice of the Red River Valley, Past President of the Board for Connections, Board Member for the FM Rotary Foundation, Past President of Moorhead Rotary, Past President and Treasurer of his church council, Student Mentor for the Professional Guide program with Concordia College, Confirmation mentor and as volunteer youth coach.

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Another major reason why Jon loves Heartland Trust's approach as a trust company is that they're able to put the management of all legacy and family assets under one single umbrella. Especially for farm families and succession planning, Heartland Trust can help manage anything from stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and money market to farmland or real estate within the confines of a single trust company that normally you wouldn't be able to hold with other financial institutions. At Heartland Trust, clients are able to have a main contact and team that is knowledgeable about all aspects of

their financial life and can be that conduit from one generation to the next. "We actually even go so far as to review the assets that we don't have any responsibility over," Jon said. "When I bring clients in, when we talk about holistic care, we're reviewing life insurance policies, reviewing the titling of outside assets and accounts and CDs and bank accounts, looking at life insurance beneficiaries, and we're looking at IRA beneficiaries making sure that you have that one individual who has done their due diligence across all spectrums of their financial life—nobody likes surprises."

Looking AHead Federal Estate Tax Exemption to “sunset” at the end of 2025 One major thing Jon wants to bring attention to looking ahead is the Federal Estate Tax Exemption, which is something Heartland Trust is aware of and helping families prepare for and know what steps to take. In short, the current tax exemption is at an all-time high of $12.92 million, but could soon be reduced by nearly half to $7 million in 2026. While that may seem a ways off, Jon and Heartland Trust are there to help clients navigate the changes to make the best decisions for their families.

3 Things Heartland Trust Does Differently 1: More responsive "Heartland Trust is very proud of the level of personalized care we can provide, especially being a smaller organization with a different business model than the large banking institutions."

2: More personalized care "Heartland Trust's dedication is to look for reasons to do things and how to get things done. Our team of Trust Officers, includes Missy Zarak, Jen Johnston, Jan Nelson and I. We know and understand the laws, the ruls and are willing to work with our clients to find ways to accomplish their goals and not try to fit them into a template or box."

3: They go the extra mile "Our team at Heartland Trust has a willingness to step up and help at any level. Our phones are answered by a person. There is no 'press one for Jon."

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Jon Benson presenting at a Pifer's conference

Client Testimonial: Carla Why I Love Heartland Trust Commentary from Jon Benson I am very fortunate and proud to work with such a talented and dedicated team. We are supported by local family ownership and decision-making that empowers us to do the right thing. Our founder Steve Halverson's guiding values or sayings is if it was your mom, what would you do? The very best advice I could give to the readers is to give us a call. Don’t procrastinate another day. Life happens in the blink of an eye, care for your loved ones by asking questions, talk openly about your family's challenges, dreams, and wishes, and make a plan. I have been honored to present informational and educational presentations on wills, trusts, and estates at a number of seminars and farm expos, shared insights and experiences on regional farm radio, served as a mediator to fractioning farm family members, and provided guidance, advocacy, and planning to families and farming operations large and small.

The coffee is always on and the questions are always welcome. Each family situation is unique and your succession and estate plans need to be customized to your unique situation that aligns with your family's goals, values, and wishes. Heartland Trust provides clients with the service and solutions they expect and deserve. We are honored to help those families entrusted to our care in any way they deem beneficial. An overwhelming majority of our clients come as referrals from estate and planning attorneys who know firsthand our personalized level of care, the court system who also recognize our ability to handle difficult and challenging family situations, and our wonderful clients who tell their friends and neighbors, you need to talk to Heartland Trust, they will take care of you. Each and every experience we have adds to our knowledge and ability to care for the next client.

Carla is the daughter of new clients struggling to manage their farm and finances, with her dad in the nursing home for the past 10 years, a sister and her son who are struggling with addiction, and money mismanagement issues, and her mom left to trying to manage their family farm of over 1500 acres all by herself. The stress on her mom has forced her to be hospitalized numerous times over the past couple of years. Carla and her mom went to meet with Susan Johnson Drenth, JD Legal after not getting the help they needed from two other law offices. Carla was especially complimentary of the kind words that Susan Johnson Drenth, JD Legal said about why they needed to go see Jon at Heartland Trust Company. “Heartland does an excellent job. They are very responsive to clients' individual needs and can provide you with the solutions, protections, and peace of mind you need,” they said. Every time she brought up a current family problem or challenge, Jon responded with, “I can take care of that for you." Carla responded in tears, not due to sadness, but because she was finding hope. “I am just so overwhelmed, these are tears of joy," she said.

To connect with a Heartland Trust team member, call 701.235.2002 or visit heartlandtrust.com FUTUREFARMERMAG.COM

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MPCI / Hail Tips & Misconceptions Advice you can trust from the Experts at Western Agency s the region’s largest independent insurance agency, the team at Western Agency prides themselves in great customer service and in doing the “heavy lifting” so their clients can get back to work, having peace of mind in knowing they’re in good hands. “We are a proactive agency—we strive to stay ahead of opportunities and roadblocks for our clients,” CEO Ryon Boen said. “Whether that’s potential claim situations, new farm programs or annual changes to crop insurance, we are leveraging our proactive approach to ensure our clients are well-positioned to benefit.” Since 1976, Western Agency has made serving farmers and ranchers across the Dakotas their ultimate mission. Their team of experts are here to provide expert tips and clear up misconceptions surrounding hail coverage and multi-peril crop insurance. For many farmers, it can be hard to place trust in someone else to help navigate the financial and

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By Josiah Kopp

provided by Western Agency

insurance side of their farming operation. Not only that, but it's also hard to trust that those helping can provide a top-tier experience while having your best interest in mind. Western Agency is providing exactly that with a sort of "kitchen-table conversation" approach that is based on more personable and approachable conversations and reassuring clients that the team at Western Agency has their backs. "We are constantly pushing ourselves to be leaders in our space," CEO Ryon Boen said. "Training and educating ourselves with changes and new perspectives can really benefit the grower on multi-peril crop insurance, crop hail, and more. We take a team approach by having multiple sets of eyes on each policy which helps evaluate it in greater depth.” "In the farm space, we recognize that farms are always evolving with equipment changes, use changes, and risk changes," VP of Farm Operations Jackie Larson said. "We work to be welcomed to the table so that we can hear what each farm family's goals are, allowing us to prepare and adapt their policies to match."

Meet the team at Western Agency Ryon Boen CEO

Jackie Larson VP Farm Operations

Dallas Varty Sales Director

A Thorough & Organized Approach The team at Western Agency pride themselves on being thorough and organized in every step of the process. Especially for new clients who have never worked with them before, the Western Agency process is really what sets them apart from other agencies. And for those wondering what they can expect when working with Western Agency, Sales Director Dallas Varty explains, "By using proprietary data and formulas, we are able to make sure the client has as much information as possible to make an informed decision for their operation. We have multiple checkpoints throughout our process during the crop year which helps us in being proactive on any changes the grower may see throughout the year— which in turn allows our clients to adjust accordingly and make the most profitable decision." "People who haven't worked with us in the past are occasionally surprised by the various ways we gather, organize, and display information for them, which helps provide peace of mind." Larson said.

Brian Erickson Crop Insurance Agent

Nikki Stiegelmeier Crop Insurance Agent

Shan Tonneson Crop Insurance Agent

Ryan Skarphol Crop Insurance Agent

Trevor Forest Crop Insurance Agent FUTUREFARMERMAG.COM

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Common Misconceptions: Debunked

1. Your agent doesn’t really matter, it’s all the same product. While this may be half true (it’s all the same product), it’s what you do and can do with the product that makes a difference. Having an agent that has a deep understanding of the product gives you the advantage.

2. Every year is the same so you don’t need to analyze your insurance coverage every year. Because things like inputs, commodity prices, and weather change from year to year, It’s imperative to analyze the impacts of those and react by adjusting your insurance strategy accordingly. Our tools make those decisions easy for you to protect your operation from year to year.

3. Crop insurance and grain marketing are unrelated activities. We understand crop insurance protects you in two ways, yield loss and price uncertainty. Marketing can protect you from the price side of things but nothing on yield. Therefore, understanding how to marry the two

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together can afford you protection from both sides, allowing producers to forward market without holding all of the risk and maximize profit potential during the growing season when unknowns are at their highest.

4. Risk management is not a big consideration when setting a farmer’s operation plan for the year. In today’s economic environment, farmers should understand the current year’s breakeven costs and profit potential, then work with their agent to craft a risk management plan that best suits their risk tolerance and financial needs.

5. Prior to and after March 15th, there is not much a farmer can do to enhance their crop insurance program. Actually, there are a number of private products that allow farms to strengthen their risk management program outside of the RMA-based products. The ability to use alternative pricing floor periods and methods or even single perils production-based solutions can be very beneficial in reducing overall profit risk. These products are available throughout the year.

Tips When Choosing the Right MPCI/ Hail Coverage

The agents at Western Agency understand that looking at all of the options and offerings for Crop Insurance coverage can be overwhelming. That’s why they have provided these key tips to consider when choosing the right coverage for you.

1. Keep an eye on break-even points and lock in profit when possible: Understanding your break-even costs for each crop and choosing the coverage levels & options that at least meet those needs, so you don’t have to count sheep at night.

2. Work with an agent who understands how to maximize the use of options on crop insurance: Identify profitability goals and determine if you can cover those with your insurance selections or if you need other hedging tools.

3. Protect the crop to its potential: Select unit types that fit your ability and desire to accept or transfer risk.

4. Choose to work with agents who are making suggestions and are passionate about helping you to succeed: Use your crop insurance to execute your marketing strategy to keep you on a path toward improving your financial position and adding value to your farming operation.

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Dedicated to investing in the community In addition to being trusted experts in insurance for farm, agribusiness, and ranch, the team at Western Agency is dedicated in giving back to the community. They believe it’s just as important for them to contribute to the communities where they work and do business as it is to sell the right policies to their individual clients. For Boen and his team, that means giving back and investing in valuable resources. They believe investments in things like youth, education, and community programs present some of their greatest opportunities, both as a company and as individuals.

Giving back has always been at the heart of Western Agency that, to date, they have provided nearly $2 million in the form of collegiate scholarships, sponsorships and community event support to area communities and towns. From educators and engineers to family-owned businesses, entrepreneurs and accountants, individuals who’ve benefitted from these contributions have grown from promising young students to valuable professionals, many of whom now work and live in the Dakotas. The team at Western Agency aren't just industry experts, they're family.

Connect with our crop insurance agents to learn how Western Agency can benefit your farming operation! To get started with Western Agency’s outstanding service, visit western-agency.com or call 701.852.5383

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Grand Farm & AGCO Make Groundbreaking Announcement The Dakota Smart Farm is a Closer Reality Than You Might Think By Josiah Kopp | Renderings provided by Grand Farm ince its inception, Grand Farm has been at the cusp of seeking innovation, helping fuel the fire of the ever-developing ag tech industry, and connecting technology and resources to growers. In 2022, Grand Farm began phase one of its Innovation Campus near Casselton, which included 140 acres of land that will be used for collaboration, research, and demonstrations, and a 25,000-square-foot facility to host groups, demonstrate technology, and upskill the region. Fast forward to September of this year, Grand Farm held a special press conference on the campus grounds, announcing the

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beginning of phase two: a partnership with AGCO, which will bring a whole new world of opportunities and resources to the Grand Farm Innovation Campus. Grand Farm noted that Dakota Smart Farm (DSF) will be one of only a handful of such test farms that AGCO has around the world, signaling this region's continued leadership in agriculture globally. "This region has a strong history of agricultural innovation and continues to be a leader today— this partnership with AGCO will help keep the region at the forefront of that," the Grand Farm team said.

Photos by Josiah Kopp

A Look Inside Grand Farm's Innovation Shop Rendering shows how the dynamic space will be—perfect for keynote presentations.

Rendering of the entrance to the Grand Farm Innovation Shop.

ND Lieutenant Governor Tammy Miller announced the AGCO Grand Farm partnership during the September press conference. “The Dakota Smart Farm will further cement North Dakota’s reputation as a global leader in cutting-edge ag technology, as AGCO brings its considerable expertise and strong track record of innovation to Grand Farm to create the farm of the future,” she said. Rendering of boardroom.

Rendering of classroom.

Seth Crawford, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Precision Ag and Digital for AGCO voices his excitement for the partnership with Grand Farm during the September press conference. "By combining the power of precision agriculture with retrofit technologies, we can enable more farmers to achieve higher productivity, profitability, and sustainability.”

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David Batcheller

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Exclusive Interview with General Manager, Appareo

I had the privilege of sitting down with Appareo's General Manager, David Batcheller to get his insight on the partnership with Grand Farm and what we can expect to see as it develops. (note to reader: Appareo is owned by AGCO)

From concept to reality Batcheller credits the early concepts of what AGCO would bring to Grand Farm's Innovation Campus to his father, Barry Batcheller. In short, Barry spoke at TEDxFargo in 2018 about the possibilities and potential Fargo has in becoming a national ag tech powerhouse, and how the Fargo-Moorhead community can, and should, support the growth to making that a reality. Scan the code to watch Barry Batcheller's TEDxFargo talk, "How Fargo, ND Could Become Robosention Valley."

The team at Emerging Prairie latched on to the idea Barry shared, and they started taking steps to build Grand Farm. Batcheller expressed gratitude towards the efforts of many individuals, particularly Brian Carroll and the team at Emerging Prairie, for making this collaboration a reality. He emphasized the significance of demonstrating immediate value propositions to growers, particularly in effectively managing agricultural equipment and leveraging technology for financial benefits.

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He acknowledged the complexity of demonstrating the long-term benefits of sustainable practices in agriculture, noting that it often takes time and multiple iterations to see tangible results, which is exactly why AGCO partnered with Grand Farm; to provide the resources and tech to make "sustainable" more attainable across the board.

Seeing AGCO's expertise come to life at the Dakota Smart Farm Batcheller outlined AGCO's mission at Dakota Smart Farm, which focused on the intersection of precision technologies and economic implications for growers. "It's really about demonstrating practical decisions to growers that create favorable economic outcomes," he said. The strong emphasis for the purpose of the Dakota Smart Farm is to be future-focused. Since farmers and growers are living in the here and now, the DSF allows for experimentation and trying new things that don't risk current outcomes but rather help gauge and plan for future possibilities, and eventually, marry the two so that the farmers of the future have the resources, precision, and technologies to take their operations to the next level.

David highlighted their objective of educating and sharing insights with growers, aiming to bring "100 people a day for 100 days straight through the farm every summer." He also mentioned their inclusive approach to bringing in a variety of equipment manufacturers, bringing an extra layer of value. Batcheller expressed excitement for AGCO's ongoing endeavor and praised the agricultural technology hub in Fargo, noting the presence of major machinery manufacturers and equipment dealerships and headquarters in the metro like John Deere, CASE, Bobcat/Doosan, and others that help reinforce Fargo as a national powerhouse for the ag-tech industry.

How Dakota Smart Farm will help address workforce challenges Although workforce challenges continue to be a hot topic in the ag world, Batcheller believes the Dakota Smart Farm will help address these challenges with some unique approaches. One key aspect was the advancement of technology, specifically in making equipment smarter and ultimately autonomous. "Building capabilities to make equipment smarter makes it more realistic to make equipment autonomous,

which reduces workforce needs," he said. AGCO's piece in this is providing technologies and resources to the research fields, shining a light on current challenges, trying new things, and ultimately problem-solving to enhance efficiencies. Another critical aspect was making equipment more user-friendly. "As the equipment gets smarter, it also makes it easier to use," he said. "By minimizing the expertise required to operate machinery, they aim to broaden the pool of potential operators, thereby alleviating the workforce challenge."

Creating opportunities for students The third component involved is providing hands-on farm experiences, targeting individuals ranging from interns to high school students, and creating unique opportunities with NDSU, FFA, and other education organizations. David emphasized that Dakota Smart Farm wasn't solely for current growers, but also served as an opportunity to inspire and engage future participants in agriculture. "It's an opportunity for people to come and experience and be excited about the future of agriculture," he said. "I think that by motivating and exciting future participants in the agricultural workforce, we have the opportunity to create a pipeline for more people to be in the workforce, which is super important. Also through technology, we have an opportunity to reduce the demands on the workforce, both in the capacity of the workforce and in the capabilities and training required to to equip it. And so I think that Dakota Smart Farm is important for that challenge."

"It's an opportunity for people to come and experience and be excited about the future of agriculture." - David Batcheller, Appareo Batcheller commented on the current state of precision agricultural technologies, remarking that while they are often perceived as ubiquitous, their market adoption and understanding are not as widespread as one might think. He pointed out that there's roughly a 30% penetration of precision ag technologies, indicating that a significant portion of growers could benefit from further education and utilization of available technologies. "Part of what we're trying to do with Dakota Smart Farm is push the boundaries of what's possible and bring us into a better future to agricultural technologies," he said. Batcheller expressed a strong desire to showcase these opportunities at Dakota Smart Farm to the farming community, underlining the potential for substantial positive impacts. "We want to show them that there are real opportunities [at Dakota Smart Farm]," he said. He emphasized the dual purpose of Dakota Smart Farm: not only to pioneer advancements in agricultural technologies but also to educate and empower the alleged 70% of growers who could greatly enhance their farming practices with existing tools. He believes this will lead to quick wins for both the community and individual growers.

To stay updated on what's happening with Grand Farm and Dakota Smart Farm, visit

grandfarm.com

How Sulfur Keeps Your Crops Thriving Growers, Don't Ignore This Yellow Flag By Grant Ayers |

Provided by Nutrien Premium Fertilizer Technologies

avigating the fine details and intricacies of soil health is no small feat for today's growers, especially with the high number of variables affecting crop yield and quality. One such variable increasingly coming to the forefront is sulfur deficiency—a concern that can compromise a farm's bottom line. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Karl Wyant, Director of Agronomy for Nutrien Premium Fertilizer Technologies, to delve into the subject. Karl, whose roots lie in desert soil science and who holds a Ph.D. from Arizona State, unpacks why sulfur is receiving renewed attention. From its historical free supplementation through air deposition to its critical role in crop health, he offers an informed perspective. Growers, take note: ignoring this key nutrient could leave you puzzling over unexplained yellowing and diminished yields. So let's dig in and understand what sulfur means for you, your crops, and ultimately, your business.

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Meet Karl Wyant, Ph.D. Director of Agronomy, Nutrien “Dr. Karl Wyant currently serves as the Director of Agronomy at Nutrien Premium Fertilizer Technologies. In this position, Dr. Wyant contributes to proven agronomic leadership in growing the Nutrien commodity and premium fertilizer product lines and promotes advanced sustainability initiatives. Before working at Nutrien, Dr. Wyant served as the Vice President of Ag Science for Heliae Agriculture (2019-2022) and as an agronomist for Helena AgriEnterprises in California and Arizona (2014-2019). Dr. Wyant earned his advanced degrees at Arizona State University (Ph.D.—2014) and Colorado State University (MS—2008). Dr. Wyant is a Certified Crop Advisor and Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg) and has his CA and AZ Pest Control Advisor licenses. He is chair of the WRCCA Executive Committee for 2022 and 2023. He has received an industry mark of distinction as one of Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Forty Under Forty.” - eKonomics Website

FUTUREFARMERMAG.COM

*Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: Tell me a bit about yourself, Karl. A: At heart, I'm a desert soil scientist who loves fieldwork, often spending summers living in a tent and collecting soil samples in remote areas. However, I recognized that soil science isn't exactly a path to financial stability. I transitioned into the agricultural industry, initially working as a desert agronomist at Helena. Subsequently, I spent some time at a biostimulant startup. Currently, I serve as the Director of Agronomy, still living in the Phoenix area.

Q: What grabbed your attention and drew you towards this field, specifically sulfur? A: It's funny; I didn't grow up in a farming region. I grew up in a roughly 7000-foot elevation in northwest New Mexico, so a dry and cold environment. I didn't grow up around agriculture. It's too dry and too cold there, but I’ve worked in soil plants since I was an undergraduate at 19 years old taking soil samples. I worked on cattle ranches in the mountains of Colorado, as well as on Alaska permafrost. In the final year of my Ph.D., I broke all of my equipment the summer before and needed new equipment, so I wrote a grant to work on soils and a vineyard down in south-central Arizona that’s about a mile high in elevation, which is what started me off

in agriculture. Meanwhile, in tandem, I was working on this phosphorus fertilizers supply chain project as a side piece of my Ph.D. route, which is where I got introduced to living in a tent every summer when it’s 118 F outside by being a desert agronomist. There, I jumped in with both feet and got trained to where I am today.

Q: Why is sulfur receiving more attention recently? It's been around for quite a while, but why is it more prominent now? A: It’s always been one of “the big four” with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which all get the most attention. It wasn't until recently that growers have been seeing sulfur deficiency in their fields (the yellowing of the crop’s top). We don't have a super good predictor on a soil test yet of sulfur deficiency but that'll come. Right now, we just have our eyes. If someone sees it, they’ll apply a sulfur fertilizer and they’re right back on track with nice green, beautiful plants. Growers are reporting deficiencies more in the last couple of years, and they’re seeing the value in taking care of it. Those who don’t take action may just let the deficiency go and let the crop stay yellow, but they may have a yield penalty at the end of the day. CONTINUED »

The amount of sulfur deposited from the atmosphere onto farmland has steadily declined as the U.S. has reduced emissions from factories, power plants, and automobiles.

Courtesy of the National Atmospheric Deposition Program 32

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Did You Know? Nutrien has its very own mobile app, eKonomics by Nutrien, where growers can access crucial information and resources any place, any time. The app assists users with maximizing their farming investments and promotes better insight into nutrient management, even going as far as offering an “Ask An Agronomist” tool that allows growers to reach out directly and receive a response to any grower’s agriculture inquiry. Along with the insightful platform to connect with an agronomist, the platform’s tools that provide customized advice include:

» ROI Calculator » Rainfall Tracker » Growing Degree Days Calculator » Nutrient Removal Calculator Check out some of the many useful features in the eKonomics mobile app, available for free!

In 1970, Richard Nixon signed the Clean Air Act, which limited pollutants like sulfur from the air, but reduced the amount of free sulfur deposits in the soil.

Q: Why haven't farmers had to worry too much about the sulfur deficiency or pay attention to it as much until now? A: Some places, especially Ohio and Indiana, were getting up to 20-30 pounds per acre in a year in free fertilizer from sulfur in the air that would come back as deposition on the farmer’s fields. In the early 1970s, Richard Nixon signed the Clean Air Act, which cleaned a lot of sulfur out of the air. Decades later, the air is much cleaner and we've reduced pollution on the positive side. But on the other hand, the free fertilizer that the farmer is dependent on for that deficiency has gone away. Now, we're having to respond to all the deficiencies we're seeing.

Q: Specifically for the North Dakota and larger Midwest region, what are the sulfur conditions like today for growers? A: That region never had a history of really high wet deposition like in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, but it had some of the wet deposition, but nowhere near

as extreme. Now that we've cleaned up the air, we're seeing more deficiencies of sulfur in your area, which is something for growers to be aware of. We're just not getting sulfur like we used to from the air, and as we yield more corn, soybeans, sugar beets, and so on, we're taking more sulfur off that field with the crop. There’s less free sulfur, which means it may be time to reassess your budget.

Q: How do growers determine sulfur deficiency in their crops? A: What usually starts the conversation is when a grower sees the yellowing of the crop in their field. If you don't have enough sulfur to run the “green machine” that is the plant converting sunlight into biological energy, your plants turn yellow. It’s very striking from the road and we've had growers reporting those conditions more and more often. I think that once they start noticing it, then they'll never stop noticing it. A lot of growers will go into a reactive phase where they feel that they have to apply fertilizer once they’re in season in that June, July, and August timeframe when they could go into a proactive phase where they start building a sulfur component into their overall fertilizer program, where it’s addressed before the deficiency shows up and they won’t have to see it at all. CONTINUED »

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Q: Are there certain crops that are more affected by sulfur deficiency? A: Some certain crops are more hungry for sulfur than others. Growing sugar beet and canola are both hungry crops, and of course, corn loves nutrients in the soil. How flavorful a crop is like garlic depends on the sulfur level, and weak-tasting garlic could be deficient in that sulfur.

Q: What are some of the best options to treat that sulfur deficiency? A: The first option is determining the need and observing the deficiency, then reacting. Or, measuring it with a tissue sample where you have a firm idea of the sulfur level in the corn, plant, or crop to make a decision. Today’s technology offers a passable understanding of soil testing. It’s still in the early stages, but I do think we’ll get there soon. Observation and tissue testing are the best determinations right now for growers to make a plan moving forward. I had mentioned developing a proactive plan to build a sulfur component into your fertilizer program, and that's where our smart nutrition app, eKonomics, has become so popular. Technology in

this field is always evolving and becoming more efficient. Now, we actually have a micronized elemental sulfur component where you can fertilize the sulfur while you're running the same equipment, burning the same fuel, but hitting three different macronutrients same time, which is a nice proactive plan. The challenge with sulfur is that plants only take it up in the sulfate form. The challenge of sulfate is that plants love it, but the sulfate is prone to leaching, where the water pushes the sulfate below the root zone and the crop can't use it and the nitrate or nitrogen can be easily lost if a grower applies the wrong fertilizer at the wrong time. So, we have two different flavors of the fall from fertilizer. I had mentioned elemental sulfur earlier, which is sulfur in a slow-release form where it has to be converted by microbes, that are readily available right now. If a grower gives themselves time, those microbes will make that sulfur available to the crop in time in the fall season, and the sulfur would be ready for the crop come springtime, given at that time when a product like AMS (ammonium monosulfide) to solve the issue with a leachable form, which can also be made readily available for the next crop. However, to put that out in spring, growers need to match that much more closely with plant uptake so that they don't lose to leaching. CONTINUED »

Canola is a prime example of a crop that typically requires a great deal of sulfur and can benefit from additional care through the methods discussed here.

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Another crop example is corn, as the crop requires attentive care to refrain from experiencing sulfur deficiency.

Q: I see. How does sulfur deficiency affect the yields of growers? A: Each field is unique, with its own cropping and fertilizer history. In the past, certain areas benefited from the wet deposition of sulfur, essentially receiving free fertilizer that now has to be accounted for. This leads to tremendous spatial variance across different fields. To address this, growers and their crop scouting teams rely on keen observation to spot symptoms of sulfur deficiency. The deficiency tends to occur more in areas with sandy soils and low organic matter, which naturally lack a "savings account" of sulfur. With the absence of free sulfur deposits from the air, the challenge of maintaining a balanced sulfur budget for crops has become more apparent.

Q: Interesting. How many growing seasons does it typically take to see a rebound in sulfur nutrition? A: You can usually see a rebound in sulfur levels by the next growing season. One of the advantages of sulfur is that its impact is

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noticeable on the new growth of the plant within the same season you apply it. This means you can take a reactive approach, like using a foliar application or a side-dress to quickly correct a deficiency and see the crop green up right away. On the proactive side, if you anticipate a sulfur deficiency, you can apply the nutrient before planting. Ideally, by doing so, you'll prevent any signs of deficiency, as you've addressed the issue early on in your crop management program.

Q: You mentioned that much of this is in the earlier stages. What are the next stages and steps to be taken in your eyes for growers, research, and the field? A: I think it's worth remembering that fertilizer is a major technological advancement in human history. We can make tremendously energy-dense nitrogen nowadays. We’re on this trajectory of making some very cool combinations of products that can be much more efficient for growers across the world. CONTINUED »

If you look at some of the work coming out of NDSU, they’re seeing that North Dakota and Minnesota are right on the edge of sulfur deficiency. Growers should be on the lookout for it and take action if needed. Places on the eastern corn belt, such as Indiana, are seeing a big response when it comes to targeting sulfurdeficient soils. Being on the lookout for it, and keeping that toolbox of knowledge in your back pocket is important because you might be seeing it five years from now.” - Karl Wyant

What's next on the horizon is 3.0 type fertilizers, but some readers may already be on fertilizer 4.0 by now. We’re continuing to find how we can address these challenges in the yield by taking comments and observations from our growers and customers and coming up with a formulation that solves all these challenges are stake. It's reacting to these unexpected challenges that pop up and do it in such a way that they are easy to handle and get the job done with fewer passes of equipment than growers had to do in the fertilizer 1.0 days.

Q: Where does the fertilizer 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and so on, stem from, and how are they marked by advancements? A: The progression of fertilizers, often marked as 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and so on, is largely driven by market demand and new technologies coming forth. Over the last decade, we've seen a surge of venture capital funding in agricultural science and technology, leading to a wide range of innovative products. However, the true benchmark for any new agricultural technology is its adoption by growers.

In this industry, any change can have cascading effects, so growers scrutinize new products very carefully. Key factors for successful adoption include how easily the product integrates into existing logistics and application windows, either in the fall or early spring. Ease of storage and transport are also important. Ultimately, a new product gains market share based on how seamlessly it fits into current operations and whether it effectively solves problems while driving profitability.

Q: Where should growers go for more information about addressing the sulfur deficiency, what they should do, and other information that could benefit them? A: We have a great Sulfur Toolkit, which provides a handful of free resources that we’ve brought together at nutrien-ekonomics.com. The toolkit showcases great ways to apply nitrogen phosphate and sulfur this fall, or early on in the spring.

Nutrien Premium Fertilizer Technologies is testing two of its products (ESN Environmentally Safe Nitrogen and Smart Nutrition MAP+MST) at Grand Farm this year near Casselton, ND.

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Growers are experiencing more sulfur deficiency than they ever have before. Just five years ago, these growers weren't encountering sulfur deficiency to this extent. Now, we’re providing them with an opportunity to correct it using sulfur fertilizers. They have gained hands-on experience in addressing this issue. Simultaneously, our extension services are conducting further research on sulfur. They are disseminating information about the potential yield advantage that can be achieved by incorporating sulfur. Additionally, on the Ag retail side, the fertilizer sector has witnessed some innovations in delivering sulfur to the field. This approach aims to introduce new technology without disrupting existing logistical processes.” - Karl Wyant

Corn plants exhibit yellow “striping” when deficient in sulfur.

Courtesy of University of Minnesota Extension Services

The fall application to combat sulfur deficiency is critical, especially around this time of the year. Applying sulfur in the fall is important to give the soil optimal time, especially in the North Dakota region and the Midwest as a whole. While many grower’s minds may already be on next season’s crop, there’s still work that can be done this year to improve for future crops to come. Furthermore, it’s a great chance for farmers to get a tissue sample as well to see what they’ve experienced this year, for coming years.

Interested in Learning More? Check out a few of the informative resources for your knowledge that can lead you to a path of more efficient growing in crops ahead.

1. Nutrien’s Sulfur Toolkit nutrien-ekonomics.com/sulfur-toolkit

nutrien.com

@NutrienLTD

2. What is Smart Nutrition?

970.685.3600

@NutrienLTD

bcc@nutrien.com

/Nutrien

smartnutritionmst.com/what-is-smartnutrition

/NutrienLTD

@Nutrien

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| By Sam Kise

BEAT THE FARMING BURNOUT MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR FARMERS any people find it hard to ask for help when they really need it— especially if it’s help with their mental health. For those who work on farms, day-to-day work and the stress of the job can be really hard on them. While mental health wasn’t talked about much within the farming community (and the rest of society) in the past, we are lucky to live in a time where more and more people are actively finding ways to help others with mental wellness. In fact, many resources nowadays are specific to the stresses of living and working on a farm. It can be overwhelming to know where to look for help, so we’ve compiled a list of mental health resources that specialize in helping farmers with the stressors of their work. Hopefully, one or more of these resources can help with any struggles you may be facing. 44

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FARMER-SPECIFIC RESOURCES

FARM AID

(1) Farm Aid was founded in 1985 as a resource to keep family farmers on their land by providing immediate and effective support services to farm families in crisis. The organization helps farmers find the resources they need to access new markets, transition to more sustainable and profitable farming practices, and survive natural disasters. Though their aid is not always specific to mental health, their crisis hotline 1-800-FARM-AID provides support to farmers in times of small or large crises and is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST. Additionally, Farm Aid provides a large resource database called the Farmer Resource Network and offers a Family Farm Disaster Fund to help with the financial, physical, and emotional weight of rebuilding a farm after a natural disaster. These resources, along with many others, help ease the stress that comes along with running a farm. | farmaid.org | /FarmAid | @farmaid | @farmaid | @FarmAid

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MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR FARMERS

Together Counseling offers Farm-to-Farm telehealth therapy services. Their counselors either currently work on a farm of their own or have farming experience. They relate to farmers on a deeper level and can help them find a way forward. Together Counseling has offices in Fargo and Bismarck, but these services are offered fully online so that farmers do not have to travel long distances to get the care and counseling they need. They also offer potential funding opportunities to farmers and farm families so that there is not a financial barrier for those who need help. | (701) 404-0997 | farmtofarmnd.com | togethercounselinggroup.com/farm-to-farm | /FarmToFarmServices | @farm_to_farm_services

NDSU EXTENSION - MANAGING STRESS

(3)

NDSU Extension offers a list of articles with resources and advice to help manage stress when living and/or working on a farm. These articles include ways to avoid or manage stressors and recognizing physical and mental symptoms of stress in your body, as well as providing further resources if needed. | ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/ag-topics/ farm-safety-health/managing-stress

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NORTH CENTRAL FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE CENTER

(4)

The North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center (FRSAN) is a collaboration to create and expand stress management and mental health resources and services for agricultural producers and stakeholders in the North Central region. While the North Central FRSAN does not directly provide their own mental health programs, they are a hub for all the mental health resources that a farmer or rancher might need. | farmstress.org/about-us | Search “North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center” | @farm_stress

(5) DOWN ON THE FARM TRAINING KIT

FARM TO FARM

(2)

“Down on the Farm: Supporting Farmers in Stressful Times” is a 3-hour workshop that teaches people who live and work in agricultural communities how to recognize and respond when they suspect a farmer or farm family member might need help. Though this kit is meant for group training, the training kit is available for free online and contains useful information for farmers and farm families. | mda.state.mn.us/down-farmtraining-kit

(1)

(3)

2-1-1 HELPLINE

MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA

GENERAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

9-8-8 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE

(2)

The 2-1-1 Helpline is available throughout the United States through various providers like FirstLink and United Way. The helpline is a free and confidential service available 24 hours a day, seven days week, and helps individuals find local behavioral health (and other) resources. | Call or Text: 211

The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available to anyone who is experiencing a behavioral health crisis. A trained crisis counselor will answer the phone and listen to you, provide support, and share resources if needed. If the local crisis center is unable to take the call, you will be automatically routed to a national backup crisis center. The crisis line can be called, texted, or found online.

Mental Health America is “the nation's leading national nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health, well-being, and illness prevention.” Operating nationally and in communities across the country, Mental Health America advocates for closing the mental health equity gap while increasing nationwide awareness and understanding through public education, direct services, tools, and research. Their website offers tools and resources to help those who are experiencing mental health issues and the friends and family of those individuals, as well. | mhanational.org | Crisis Text Line: Text “MHA” to 741741 to get started | /mentalhealthamerica | @MentalHealthAm | @mentalhealthamerica

| Call or Text: 988 | Online Chat: 988lifeline.org/chat

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MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR FARMERS

(5)

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is “the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.” Their website offers information about various mental health and mental illness topics, as well as lists of resources and links for everyone to access. | nami.org | 800-950-6264 | send "Helpline" to 62640 | /NAMI | @NAMICommunicate | @namicommunicate | /company/NAMI

SAMHSA’S NATIONAL HELPLINE

NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS

(4)

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service) is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-daya-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. | 1-800-662-HELP (4357) | 1-800-487-4889 | Text your zip code to 435748 (HELP4U) | findtreatment.gov

If you or a farmer you know is struggling with stress or other mental health problems, please reach out to someone who can help. This list provides you with farmer-specific mental health and stress management resources, along with some general mental health resources—but this list is not exhaustive. There are plenty of resources out there for you to utilize. Take care of yourself, because your family, your friends, and the world needs you!

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SPONSORED CONTENT

As the leaves turn and the air chills, there is still a lot going on in Agtech innoviation. In each issue of Future Farmer, Emerging Prairie offers up insight into what's new and notable at the cross-section of start-ups and agriculture. This month we learn more about some of Grand Farm's inventive partners and get a look at some recent podcast features! 50

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CONTENTS

52 54 56 58 60 62 64

DCN Receives a $19.7 Million Grant To Reduce Cost Of Network Expansion StartupBREW: Keeping Robots On Their Best Behavior StartupBREW: Data-Driven Decisions Grand Farm Announces Achievement Of Phase 1 Of It's Innovation Campus Capital Campaign Autonomous Nation's TechConnect Workshop Discover The Grand Farmer Podcast Interviews! NSF Engines Farms Partnership Group Earns Finalist Spot In National Science Foundation $160 Million Competition

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DCN RECEIVES A $19.7 MILLION GRANT TO REDUCE COST OF NETWORK EXPANSION 52

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SETH ARNDORFER

CEO of Dakota Carrier Network

NORTH DAKOTA, ONE OF THE BEST-CONNECTED STATES IN THE COUNTRY, IS ABOUT TO GET EVEN MORE CONNECTED TO RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE BROADBAND The DCN Statewide Middle Mile Backbone Upgrade is a $43.8 million project. It is comprised of two elements: adding middle mile fiber route miles and upgrading electronics to support the increased network demand to terabit speed. To accomplish the network upgrade, four of DCN’s Owner companies are also participating in this grant: BEK Communications, based in Steele, ND; Dakota Central, based in Carrington, ND; MLGC, based in Enderlin, ND; and RTC Networks, based in Parshall, ND. To help fund the upgrade, DCN has been awarded a $19.7 million grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), with the remaining $24 million coming from DCN and the participating subrecipients. Over the past decade, DCN’s 13 Owner companies and DCN have invested more than $1 billion in North Dakota’s broadband infrastructure. “The demand for broadband capacity continues to grow, and this grant provides critical funding that allows DCN and our Owners to continue providing customers reliable, highspeed connectivity at an affordable

price,” explained Seth Arndorfer, DCN CEO. “This middle mile infrastructure provides the crucial connection from the greater internet to the end user. It’s not something we think about every day, but without a reliable middle mile, commerce grinds to a halt.” “Middle mile” refers to the segment of a broadband network that connects the user’s core network to the local network, connecting the global internet to the end user. The middle mile typically serves as the backbone for a region and does not directly connect end-user locations. DCN will add five new network segments across the state: Bismarck to Carrington, Jamestown to Carrington, Devils Lake to Carrington, Fargo to Carrington, and Alexander to Max. These segments will add 612.99 leased fiber route miles to DCN’s middle mile backbone infrastructure. BEK will add 28.4 miles to its middle mile backbone infrastructure, and Dakota Central will add 233.2 miles to its middle mile backbone infrastructure. Altogether, the project will add 874.59 fiber route miles across the state. These additional fiber miles will create a fully meshed topology within North Dakota, meaning that if there is any kind of problem at one point in the state, it can seamlessly reroute and not affect the entire network, adding redundancy, resiliency, and survivability to this critical infrastructure.

The second element, upgrading to terabit-capable electronics will support the increased network demand and ensure the network has the capacity to fulfill the needs of anchor institutions such as schools, hospitals, and public safety entities as they provide critical services to the citizens of North Dakota. “This program is unique because DCN’s middle mile backbone infrastructure connects all of North Dakota through our 13 Owner companies and our combined fiber infrastructure,” added Arndorfer. “By expanding DCN’s fiber optic backbone and network capacity, all North Dakotans benefit. This network upgrade will enable DCN to provide massive capacity to enterprises, hyperscalers, and our Owner companies with terabit speeds, furthering North Dakota’s position to support emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, precision ag, and autonomy.” It is estimated that the entire project will be complete by year-end 2025. North Dakota’s anchor institutions recognized the need for DCN’s grant application. DCN received 25 letters of support from officials and entities ranging from Governor Doug Burgum and multiple state agencies to regional healthcare systems, land grant universities, and public safety entities. The letters of support demonstrate that public and private entities across the state understand the need for this infrastructure that is crucial to the vitality of North Dakota.

FUTUREFARMERMAG.COM

StartupBREW: Keeping Robots on Their Best Behavior Q: Tell us about your company and your mission. A: "Kirkwall defends autonomous systems from critical failure across three sectors: Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones), AgTech, and industrial control systems- in short, we keep robots on their best behavior. "

Q: What are some wins you are celebrating? A: "Kirkwall recently graduated from both the inaugural cohort of the NSF

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I-Corps program and the Gener8tor gBeta investment accelerator, opened our first office in the NDSU Technology Incubator, and made our first acquisition of another company which should 10x our anticipated revenue this year. "

Q: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned throughout your entrepreneurial journey? A: "One of your absolute top priorities as a founder must be

About Will Cromarty Will Cromarty, the visionary force behind both Kirkwall, is a Fargo-based software company specializing in Machine Learningdriven defense for autonomous systems, and Heath Company, a century-old electronics product firm. Will's journey is as diverse as it is exciting—from being an internationallyranked competitive pinball player to an undercover CIA officer, his experiences span archaeological expeditions, wilderness survival training, and aerospace leadership. While he once dreamt of joining the Chicago Bulls, his journey took him into the aerospace sector, leveraging his extensive background in aerospace geopolitics, quantum physics tutoring, and even deep-sea fossil diving. Beyond his professional pursuits, Will's eclectic hobbies range from growing the world's hottest pepper varieties in simulated Mars soil to restoring vintage cars and guiding friends in backpack-mounted flamethrower use.

supporting other founders. Founding a company is a roller coaster of highs and lows, and one of the most critical resources for founders is the ability to find environments to speak freely and openly with fellow founders about the unique challenges inherent in the decision to build something new when the odds are against you- here in Fargo, I've found that through Emerging Prairie's Founders Retreat, Founders Hour, and the Executives Club of Fargo-Moorhead. One of the best things you can do both personally and professionally is to find ways to lift up and drive business to fellow founders- either through referrals, making introductions, or exploring joint business opportunities. In any

given day, I make my best effort to introduce as many as 5 to 10 new people to each other. "

Q: Kirkwall is officially a part of the FargoMoorhead founder family. How can our community support you in your next stage of growth? A: "As we prepare for our official software launch over the coming months, we'd love to connect with anyone working in the UAV, AgTech,

or industrial control sectors to get our real-time monitoring and diagnostics capabilities in their hands early on. While we haven't formally opened a VC round yet, it's likely not too far off in the futurewe'd love to keep expanding those discussions as well. "

Q: What are you grateful for today? A: "I'm incredibly grateful for the entrepreneurial ecosystem we've built in Fargo- it genuinely feels like a one-team mentality where everyone in Fargo wins when a Fargo business wins."

FUTUREFARMERMAG.COM

StartupBREW: Data-Driven Decisions

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Q: Tell us about your company and your mission.

& university), 2-publicly owned (federal, state, local), 3-healthcare, and 4-commercial developers & management companies."

A: "Our company serves a variety of customers, across all sectors. We provide building owners and facility managers critical and granular information regarding their buildings and other infrastructure, which allows them to more efficiently utilize their labor and budgets. This also reduces infrastructure deferred maintenance and improves its health and longevity. Today we focus on four main sectors: 1-educational institutions (public & private, K-12

Q: What are some wins you are celebrating? A: "We recently completed the inaugural Gener8tor investment accelerator in Fargo in June. We were lucky enough to be one of the 6 who were accepted into program out of more than 200 applicants. Since then, we have been gaining market traction and raising investor

About Josh Klug Josh Klug is a dynamic co-founder at Aethero, a forward-thinking venture-backed startup specializing in artificial intelligence and infrastructure. Aethero's mission, under Josh's guidance, centers on harnessing AI and data analysis to empower organizations, enhancing decision-making processes and driving value through datadriven facility operations. With an extensive background spanning technology, sales, marketing, operations, and business strategy, Josh is a seasoned business executive whose entrepreneurial spirit fuels his passion for crafting innovative solutions that harness data insights.

capital. We are about to start hiring additional personnel and accelerate our research and development efforts. "

Q: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned throughout your entrepreneurial journey? A: "Patience, dedication, and perseverance are all needed in abundance. It’s never easy, quick, or will go according to plan. "

Q: Aethero is officially a part of the FargoMoorhead founder family. How can our community support you in your next stage of growth? A: "We would love to make introductions and form relationships with people and companies that are in the building/infrastructure spaces. These can be architectural & engineering firms, general contractors, building supply vendors

and manufacturers, and those in our current customer sectors. We also appreciate introductions and referrals to people with software and coding expertise, as we are looking to grow (including opening an office in Fargo)!"

Q: What are you grateful for today? A: "I am extremely grateful for the love and support from my family and friends. Without them, I would not be where I am today."

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(Photo of Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller and contributors of the Grand Farm Capital Campaign announcing Achievement of Phase 1.)

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By Matt Wendel

possibility. Grand Farm is where technology and agriculture unite to cultivate solutions that will resonate for generations to come.”

Phase 1 of the Grand Farm Innovation Campus includes 140 acres of land that will be used for collaboration, research, and demonstrations, and a 25,000 sq. foot facility to host groups, demonstrate technology, and upskill the region. The campus will continue to build on the vision of a region focused on agriculture technology.

Grand Farm’s Innovation Campus capital campaign was launched in February of 2022 when Grand Farm was awarded a $10 Million matching grant by the North Dakota Legislature and North Dakota Department of Commerce. In May 2022 Grand Farm announced the location of its Innovation Campus near Casselton, ND, and in October 2022 North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and other regional leaders joined Grand Farm as it broke ground. In total, over 40 families and organizations contributed $15.1M to Phase 1 of the Grand Farm Innovation Campus.

“This is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision,” said Greg Tehven, Grand Farm Board Chair. “With 140 acres of dynamic space and a cutting-edge facility, we’re not just shaping the future of agriculture—we’re forging a new frontier of

Infrastructure construction has been underway over the summer on the site with structural work on the facility, known as the Grand Farm Innovation Shop, starting this September. Agriculture technology projects began deploying onsite in spring 2023.

Grand Farm announced it has fully achieved Phase 1 of its Innovation Campus capital campaign.

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Autonomous Nation’s TechConnect Workshop: Bridging the Gap Between Tech Careers and Education By Kennedy Fields

Many students today hear about the opportunity for a career in tech but are unaware of what types of jobs are available across the industry and in our region. During Grand Farm’s Autonomous Nation Conference on August 29th, 2023, students gathered on the outdoor pavilion at the Microsoft Campus in Fargo, North Dakota to share their ideas, experiences, and hopes for the future of the autonomous industry. Dr. Ruchi Bhardwa, Grand Farm’s Grower and Educator Program Manager, brought together over 70 educators, students, and industry professionals who represented different careers in technology and the autonomous industry.

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Ujjwal Adhikari, the Chief Technology Officer for Kirkwall Autonomous Systems, started the workshop by sharing his unconventional educational journey, self-driven motivation, and curiosity for new industries, including AgTech. He iterated the main theme for many of the speakers, which was to “keep walking forward even if you feel like you don’t belong because there is a good chance that your boss or teacher also feels the same way.” Alex Salisbury, the Unmanned Operations Specialist for Weather Modifications, showcased a drone for the audience during his presentation.

Learn more about the workshop’s incredible speakers and get connected with them to build your network. Dr. Xinhua Jia Professor of Ag and Biosystems, NDSU xinhua.jia@ndsu.edu

Aaron Sykes STEAM Outreach Coordinator, National Center for Autonomous Technologies aaron.sykes@northlandcollege.edu

Alex Sailsbury Unmanned Operations Specialist, Weather Modifications asailsbury@weathermod.com

Dr. Ana María Heilman-Morales Director, Big Data Pipeline Unit, NDSU ana.heilman.morales@ndsu.edu

Shott Schofield Project Integration Team Manager, Northrop Grumman scott.schofield@ngc.com

Scott Meyer Founder, FiveMin.AI, Ed3 scottdavidmeyer@gmail.com

Anna Hanson Sales Director, Bytespeed ahanson@bytespeed.com

Ujjwal Adhikari Chief Technology Officer, Kirkwall ujjwal@kirkwall.io

Curtis Sullivan Vice President of Workforce and Culture, Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce asailsbury@weathermod.com

By bringing together a diverse group of technologists, innovators, and educators, the TechConnect education workshop broke down walls between the groups and created a space where the future of education and innovation could come together.

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Discover the Grand Farmer Podcast Interviews! Grand Farmer is an agricultural podcast produced by Grand Farm that brings together growers and AgTech professionals to help accelerate conversations around emerging technologies in the agriculture industry. Emerging Grower is released wherever podcasts are found including on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. And now, Grand Farm is making the episode interviews available to Future Farmer readers. This interview features Karl Wyant and David Gorderr discussing innovations optimizing crop nutrition and yield.

David Gorder's Farming Background: • David's family has a long history of farming in Grafton, North Dakota, dating back to the 1800s. • He is currently involved in the family farm operation, which raises a variety of crops, including sugar beets, corn, soybeans, canola, edible beans, and oats.

David's Perspective on Adopting New Technologies: • David emphasizes the importance of efficiency in farming, particularly in regions with tight planting windows. • He discusses the challenges of evaluating new agronomic technologies, citing the example of microbials.

• David is also a real estate broker specializing in farmland and owns an equipment auction company.

• David relies on agronomists and trusted partners to provide data and recommendations for trying new practices or products.

Karl Wyant's Path to Agriculture:

• The adoption of data management technology has been crucial in tracking and evaluating results over the years.

• Karl shares his unique journey into agriculture. His grandparents were farmers in Michigan but left farming to work in the automotive industry in Detroit. • His family moved to New Mexico due to the recession in the 1970s, where farming was limited due to the region's dry and cold climate. • Karl pursued a career in soil science, studying in Colorado and Arizona. • He eventually became a soil scientist and agronomist, working in agriculture retail, biotech, and now as the Director of Agronomy at Nutrien.

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Karl Wyant on Nutrien's Premium Fertilizers: • Nutrien is a global leader in mining and manufacturing fertilizers. • They offer premium fertilizer products, including ESN (Environmentally Smart Nitrogen) and MAP+MST (Mono Ammonium Phosphate plus Micronized Sulfur Technology). • ESN is a slow-release urea coated in a polymer, providing nitrogen over a specific period based on soil temperature.

• MAP+MST combines nitrogen, phosphate, and sulfur in one granule, offering convenience and nutrient management solutions. • Sulfur is recognized as the fourth macronutrient, and Nutrien's products address sulfur deficiency in crops. Conclusion: • The podcast highlights the complexity of adopting new technologies in agriculture and the importance of collaboration with agronomists and trusted partners. • David's experience as a farmer underscores the need for careful evaluation and long-term commitment to new practices. • Karl's insights into premium fertilizers demonstrate how innovations in nutrient management contribute to sustainable and efficient farming practices.

Karl Wyant, Director of Agronomy at Nutrien which is the world's largest provider of crop inputs and services, playing a critical role in helping growers increase food production in a sustainable manner

Introduction: • "Grand Farmer" podcast, hosted by Grand Farm, explores technology's impact on agriculture. • This episode features Grower David Gorder and Dr. Carl Wyant, Director of Agronomy at Nutrient Premium Fertilizer Technologies. • The conversation focuses on crop nutrition and yield optimization. Gratitude Discussion: • Dr. Ruchi begins with a discussion on gratitude. David expresses gratitude for family, opportunities, and the ecosystem. Carl is grateful for innovation in agriculture.

due to various external factors but highlights the role of agronomists and data management technology in decision-making. Understanding the Complexity of Farming: • David emphasizes that farming is an ecosystem with many variables, making it challenging to attribute results to a single practice or product. • He discusses the importance of data management technology in tracking and evaluating results over time. Discussion about Nutrient Premium Fertilizer:

Guest Introductions:

• Dr. Ruchi asks Carl to share information about Nutrient Premium Fertilizer Technologies.

• David Gorder shares his family's history of farming in North Dakota and discusses their diverse crop operation.

Sustainability in Farming:

• Dr. Carl Wyant shares his journey from a desert soil scientist to working in ag retail, biotech, and now as the Director of Agronomy at Nutrien. Adopting New Technologies on the Farm: • David emphasizes the importance of efficiency in adopting new technologies, especially in regions with tight planting windows. • He discusses the challenges of evaluating technologies like microbials

• Vanessa emphasizes that sustainability has always been a fundamental part of their farming philosophy, with a focus on protecting the land for future generations. • Sustainable farming involves practices that improve profitability, preserve the land, and leave it in better condition for the next generations. Susterre’s Innovative Technology: • Mike explains that Susterre is introducing ultra-high-pressure water jet technology from industrial

David Gorder, a grower from Grand Forks County, ND and a member of Grand Farm's Grower Advisory Board.

manufacturing into row crop planting. • This technology addresses the challenge of handling heavy crop residue in regenerative farming practices like no-till and cover cropping. • The water jet technology is designed to cut through residue, ensuring that seeds are planted in contact with the soil for optimal germination and yield. Field Testing and Expansion: • Susterre conducted extensive field testing in multiple states, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Iowa, Ontario, and North Dakota. • Vanessa mentions witnessing the technology in action and its potential benefits for dealing with corn residue. • The technology's ability to cut through residue while maintaining proper furrow depth is discussed as a crucial aspect. Conclusion: • Innovations like ultra-high-pressure water jet technology have the potential to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of regenerative farming practices. • The conversation highlights the importance of sustainable practices and the role of technology in achieving long-term profitability and land stewardship in agriculture.

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he regional collaborative partnership known as FARMS (Northern Plains AgTech Engine for Food systems Adapted for Resiliency and Maximized Security) has reached the final stage of a nationwide competition that will provide winning teams with $160 million funding over 10 years. FARMS is one of sixteen projects selected as finalists.

NSF Engines FARMS partnership group earns finalist spot in National Science Foundation $160 million competition

The NSF Engines program aims to empower all regions of the country, including the Midwest, to capitalize on their strengths. A multi-faceted program, FARMS seeks to build upon North Dakota’s reputation as a leader in AgTech and will deliver marketdriven innovative research, education, workforce development, and DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility) programs. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum commented on the potential of the project. “The FARMS project epitomizes the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation that characterizes our state, especially when it comes to agriculture,” he said. “From our researchers to our entrepreneurs, the people of North Dakota continue to drive solutions that have a major impact on the challenges facing our world. We’re grateful to everyone involved with FARMS and wish the team all the best as they showcase North Dakota’s leadership in ag technology and food production.” FARMS will solve issues related to food security and global food challenges with AgTech solutions. AgTech represents all technology used for improving yield, efficiency, and profitability in agriculture. Crucial to the commercialization process is the NDSU Research Foundation, which was most recently ranked in the 2022 Heartland Forward report at sixth (normalized) in terms of licenses and options issued and 117th overall and NDSU Extension, which has a presence in all fifty-three counties in North Dakota. FARMS will drive AgTech research in areas such as developing new varieties of resilient crops along with the sensor systems required to maintain their optimal growing conditions. In addition, it will implement costeffective data collection from sensors distributed across all acres of a farm operation. As North Dakota is home to five sovereign tribal nations and the nation’s only tribal college system, the five college North Dakota Tribal College System,

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FARMS aims to develop cross-cultural relationships in order to strengthen our collective ability to advance nation to nation ethical research collaborations. With workforce issues top of mind nationally, it is critical for FARMS to enhance pathways into STEM for homegrown talent while becoming a magnet to attract expertise from across the world. This starts with an inventory of the state’s many distinct private, non-profit and educational organizations and their programming in the AgTech space, ultimately connecting them through the AgTech Knowledge Network. Important AgTech workforce development will come from programming funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Good Job Challenge recently awarded to the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber Foundation in Fargo. “Agriculture is something we already know well in North Dakota,” said NDSU Vice President for Research and Creative Activity Colleen Fitzgerald. “A recent economic impact study shows that agriculture contributes $31 billion to the North Dakota economy and more than 110,000 jobs. FARMS will accelerate this ecosystem over the next decade making North Dakota THE undisputed national leader in AgTech.”

About FARMS: The vision of FARMS is to create a global AgTech engine characterized by a flourishing ecosystem where new knowledge is co-designed into new technologies, services, and startups to address stressors impacting food insecurity and to establish equitable agricultural opportunity. Led by NDSU, FARMS is composed of a core group of partners including Grand Farm, the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber Foundation, and the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation. The FARMS ecosystem includes the North Dakota Tribal College System, the North Dakota Tribal communities, North Dakota universities and colleges, industry, non-profits, and other regional research universities.

About NSF Engines: The National Science Foundation (NSF) in partnership with other Federal agencies is managing this competition. Of an initial pool of 188 projects spanning all key technology areas and societal and economic challenges highlighted in the CHIPS and Science Act, only 16 projects have been selected as finalists. FARMS is the only agriculture-based project among the finalists.

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