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NDSU study: Agriculture accounts for about $41 billion in North Dakota economy
Summary
At a joint House and Senate agriculture committee meeting, Dr. Greg Lardy of North Dakota State University presented a new study finding agriculture contributes roughly $41 billion to the state economy and supports about 123,000 jobs; lawmakers asked about price swings, year‑to‑year comparisons and how to use the findings.
A North Dakota State University economist told the House and Senate agriculture committees that the state’s agriculture sector contributes roughly $41 billion to North Dakota’s economy.
"My name is Greg Lardy. I serve as vice president for agriculture here at North Dakota State University," Dr. Lardy said. "North Dakota agriculture contributing over $41,000,000,000 to the state's economy." He told lawmakers that figure includes about $26 billion in direct output and more than $15 billion in secondary output.
The study, the second of its kind presented by NDSU at this level of detail, estimates more than 46,000 direct jobs and about 76,000 indirect jobs for a total of 123,000 jobs tied to agriculture across the state. Dr. Lardy said total estimated labor income from agriculture is about $10 billion and that agriculture accounts for more than 25% of the state’s total output.
Committee members pressed on several points. Senator Lueck asked whether the study provides a running, year‑to‑year series; Dr. Lardy said this is the second detailed data point (the prior study was released in late 2022) and that the newer estimate reflects roughly a $10 billion increase since that prior report. Representative Schreiberbeck asked how changes in commodity prices affect the totals; Dr. Lardy said commodity price swings do move the figures because the analysis uses farm‑gate sales and downstream effects.
Several members asked how the report might be used. "I certainly think this gives us a platform collectively," Representative Olson said, urging committee collaboration with industry and extension to use the data for policy and outreach. Dr. Lardy noted recent investments in processing capacity, such as soybean crush plants and a planned potato processing plant in Grand Forks, and said those additions are likely contributors to future growth.
The presentation thanked the study’s authors and contributing organizations and noted NDSU’s role as the state’s land‑grant institution and its extension presence in all 53 counties. Dr. Lardy said he was available for further questions and committee members thanked him for the briefing.
