Fargo, North Dakota — October 23, 2026 — The Agricultural Risk Policy Center (ARPC) at North Dakota State University recently welcomed congressional staff members Dreyton Rud, Julia Houghton, Gus Hasbargen and Tom Newberry to North Dakota for the inaugural Bison Ag Experience. The program brought the Washington, D.C., visitors together with producers, agricultural industry leaders, researchers and NDSU leadership for a firsthand look at the state’s agricultural economy.

The farm and facility visits followed corn and sugar beets from harvest through processing. At C.H.K. Farms near Wyndmere, Carson Klosterman, chair of the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council, introduced the group to his family’s corn operation and offered combine rides. The group then toured Guardian Energy in Hankinson, where staff explained ethanol production and the facility’s connection to regional corn growers.

Troy Thimjon welcomed participants to Thimjon Farms to observe sugar beet harvest and learn about his family’s farming history. A tour of Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative continued that discussion with a look at sugar beet receiving, storage and processing, along with the cooperative’s role in the surrounding agricultural community.

The program also highlighted ARPC’s research and policy analysis on crop insurance and market disruptions, adding an economic and policy perspective to the farm and facility visits.

Saturday’s program at NDSU’s Peltier Agricultural Technology Lab focused on agricultural research and emerging technologies. Greg Lardy welcomed the group, and Frank Casey presented the Food, Energy, Water Security Initiative. Additional presentations introduced the NSF AgTech Engine in North Dakota and Agricultural Data Analytics.

Hands-on demonstrations showed an autonomous agricultural platform, laser and computer vision weed control, and precision planting technology. Participants saw how researchers are developing and testing tools for agricultural production. Leon Schumacher concluded the morning with a tour of the new Offerdahl building.

The weekend concluded with Bison game day, including tailgating, an on-field experience and time with NDSU President Marshall Stewart and his family. These activities gave the visiting staff members additional opportunities to connect with university and industry leaders.

North Dakota State University and the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council sponsored the inaugural Bison Ag Experience. Farmers, agricultural facilities, producer groups, NDSU researchers and university staff contributed their time and expertise throughout the program.