A new statewide study is inviting farmers, ranchers, processors and food businesses across North Dakota to help measure an often undercounted part of the state’s agricultural economy: local food. For this study, “local food” includes food products that are grown, raised, processed and sold within North Dakota through channels such as direct sales, retail, schools and institutions.

The survey is open through May 15. Businesses that grow, raise, process or produce food products sold in the state can learn more at farrms.org.

The North Dakota Local Food Economic Contribution Study is a statewide effort to build a credible baseline estimate of local food’s economic activity across production, processing, distribution and sales. This is the first comprehensive study of local food’s economic contribution across North Dakota. The study is intended to help make visible a fast-growing, but often undercounted part of the state’s economy.

“North Dakota’s local food economy is growing but much of that activity is still difficult to measure,” said Felicity Merritt, Economic Recovery Corps fellow. “This study is about building a clearer picture of the producers, businesses and communities already doing this work, so future investments can be grounded in what is actually happening.”

Organizers say stronger data can help communities, policymakers, funders and partners better understand where local food is already creating value, where gaps remain, and where additional investment could strengthen infrastructure, market access and long-term resilience.

The effort comes as rural communities continue to face grocery loss and long, fragile supply chains, even in one of the nation’s most agriculture-rich states.

The study is supported by a broad coalition of partners, coordinated by the Foundation for Agricultural and Rural Resource Management and Sustainability (FARRMS) and the Rural Finance Development Corporation, and conducted by North Dakota State University’s Center for Social Research and Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics.

The study is supported by the Bush Foundation as part of a broader investment in strengthening North Dakota’s rural grocery and local food infrastructure.

Participation is confidential, and public findings will be shared only in aggregate. The study is not an audit or regulatory tool. Findings will be shared publicly to help inform future investment, infrastructure and support for local food businesses and communities across North Dakota.