FARGO – A coalition of five North Dakota entities has been awarded up to $15 million over the next two years, with potential to receive up to $160 million over 10 years, as part of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines program.

The regional partnership, called Food systems Adapted for Resiliency and Maximized Security (FARMS), was selected from 188 concept outlines originally submitted throughout the country. Among it’s proposals, FARMS outlined solutions designed to ignite inclusive, market-driven discussions about food security and equitable agriculture; develop robust crop varieties and cost-effective sensors to capture data useful to producers; accelerate investments and quickly bring solutions to market; encourage involvement and investment from the private sector, non-profit organizations and the broader North Dakota agricultural community; and propel critical technologies for advanced agriculture through scientific and engineering innovations.

The project is a collaboration of North Dakota State University, the Tribal College System, the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber and Economic Development Corp. and Grand Farm.

“This award has the potential to transform our regional workforce – especially for students, recent graduates, and working adults pursuing careers in agriculture, engineering, IT, AI, data science, and more,” said North Dakota State University President David Cook. “It will retain talent in our local economy who will be positioned to innovate in unprecedented ways.”

“The partners we have at the table working together, have the power to craft and execute a dynamic shift in the way we do agriculture in North Dakota,” said Twyla Baker of the North Dakota Tribal College System and president at Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College in New Town. “The project brings together sectors that perhaps have not had the opportunity to work in close proximity before. Throughout our planning stages, the conversations we’ve had have sparked moments of inspiration and innovation.”

The state’s leaders also welcomed the award.

“By securing this funding for the North Dakota Advanced Agriculture Technology Engine, in addition to supporting their continued partnership with ARS (Agricultural Research Service), we are empowering this collaboration to give farmers and ranchers tools that will strengthen their operations, reduce costs and improve yields,” said Sen. John Hoeven, R-ND. “That’s good not only for the production of food, fuel and fiber, but it will spur growth for a variety of industries, including our state’s dynamic tech sector and manufacturers. That means North Dakota and our nation will continue to have a competitive edge in the global marketplace, while ensuring a high-quality and low-cost food supply for American consumers.”

“This team has earned this win by showing what North Dakota brings to the world: the brightest minds and leaders in AgTech, food production, biotech and genomics,” said Gov. Doug Burgum. “Our agriculture community has come together across all 53 counties to demonstrate how talented people are driving innovation that improves yields, efficiency and profitability for nations everywhere.”