The board also was asked for its support for using Legacy Fund dollars to reclaim agricultural lands that have been negatively impacted by old and abandoned oil wells.

The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education (SBARE) is responsible for the budgeting and policy-making associated with the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and North Dakota State University Extension. It is in the process of developing priorities for its next budget request of the Legislature.

Fintan Dooley, Bismarck, with the Salt Contaminated Land & Water Council, urged SBARE to support billions of dollars in state funding to address lands damaged from past oil activity. Areas of particular concern are in western Bottineau County, southeast of Keene in McKenzie County and the Bears Den spill area north of Mandaree.

“What’s being done in the Bakken is largely good science, good engineering and responsible behavior. But what has occurred with the conventional industry needs to be redone,” Dooley said.

Jill Schramm/MDN Some of the members on the 15-member State Board of Agricultural Research and Education look over materials and listen to a speaker during a meeting at North Central Research Extension Center, Minot, on Thursday. From left are John Dhuyvetter of Minot, Scott Ouradnik of Amidon, Jim Bahm of New Salem and Larry Hoffman of Wheatland.

“The soil is in need of being revived – and we have no money,” said Dooley, who advocated for using the Legacy Fund.

“What I’m saying is that we need to turn on the spigot – the money,” Dooley said. “We’re here because the only way to get this land fixed is to use our money, our brains, our skills. It has to come from the Legacy Fund.”

With money and technology, the project will create educational opportunities and jobs for young people, he said.

Asked about how the Extension and research arm at NDSU can get involved, Dooley responded he would like them to receive Legacy Fund money and be a participant.

“Your good ideas, your reception of money, your encouragement of young people to go out and learn on the run, that’s what I’d like to have,” he said. “Every single site that’s getting old needs to have a plan. Every site needs to be assessed in great detail.”

SBARE also received a request from the North Dakota Crop Improvement Association for a technician for the agronomy program at North Central Research Extension Center (NCREC). The program currently has two technicians, but with the recent hiring of a new research agronomist, additional support is requested to allow that research to expand.

The association also asked the board to prioritize replacement of the seed plant at the Langdon Research Extension Center. Minot, Williston and Carrington have built new seed plants with the help of state funds, and Langdon’s 63-year-old plant is next in line.

Jeff Peterson, with Souris Valley Vineyard and Pointe of View Winery at Burlington, spoke to support continued funding for the vineyard research that’s been occurring at NCREC since first funded by the North Dakota Legislature in 2009.

Peterson said NCREC research has resulted in the release of two grape varieties.

“Minot’s continued comprehensive efforts, working toward future releases, is vital,” he said.

The Carrington Research Extension Center listed needs for additional technical support in plant pathology, a horticulture researcher to work with the station’s fruit orchards and funding for deferred maintenance.

Center Director Michael Ostlie, Carrington, also recommended SBARE consider seeking state funding for an on-farm research coordinator and state variety trial coordinator, both to be headquartered at NDSU.

SBARE will be prioritizing the requests received Thursday as well as other requests submitted from across the state in coming months. Once projects are prioritized, the board will be seeking cost figures.

Greg Lardy, vice president for Agricultural Affairs at NDSU, said the board wants to emphasize need rather than cost at this early stage of planning.

“Eventually, the budget will become part of our conversation during the prioritization session,” added board chair Sarah Lovas, Hillsboro.