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Grand Farm asks Legislature to restore autonomous‑ag grant focus, seeks $20 million for campus expansion
Summary
Grand Farm testified that prior state investment enabled early development and partnerships (John Deere, EDCO) and asked the committee to restore autonomous‑ag grant language and consider a $20 million appropriation to expand acreage, infrastructure and to pursue a USDA AI research lab partnership.
Grand Farm’s leadership asked the Appropriations Education & Environment Division to preserve and refocus state support for autonomous‑agriculture demonstration and research and said the nonprofit seeks state funding to expand its campus and attract federal collaboration.
Greg Tavine, co‑founder and chairman of Grand Farm, told the committee that the initiative benefited from a $10 million state investment (ARPA-era) used to secure an initial acre package and anchor tenants, that the site has hosted national and international delegations, and that Grand Farm is pursuing additional acreage and infrastructure to support research, demonstration and private‑sector partners such as John Deere and CHS.
Requests and federal partnership prospects: Tavine said Grand Farm seeks state funding (his testimony cited a $20 million ask that will be presented in amendment language) to acquire additional acreage (he mentioned about 450 acres of potential expansion), build campus infrastructure and pursue an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) USDA artificial-intelligence research presence. Tavine said Senator Hoeven has been engaged in federal discussions and that an ARS-related appropriations request includes roughly $3 million for collaborative research and a separate amount just over $2 million to support lab workplace readiness.
Why it matters: Grand Farm’s leaders said the campus is a focal point for ag-technology demonstration, partnerships and workforce development and that North Dakota’s early investments have attracted major industry interest. Supporters argued additional state investment would leverage private and federal commitment and create a sustained ag‑technology hub in the state.
Committee response: Representatives asked for cost details, including land pricing; Tavine said he would provide sensitive land-price information privately to avoid unintended local market effects. Committee members indicated they will review amendment language and fiscal details when Commerce presents the amendment.
Ending: No funding decision was made at the hearing; the committee asked Grand Farm and Commerce to provide amendment text and supporting fiscal information for review.
