Straight Talk with NDFB

The conversation around food and health is changing. The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, GLP-1 medications, and social media are influencing what consumers eat, how they think about nutrition, and where they get their information about food. 

For North Dakota farmers and ranchers, those changing preferences could bring new market opportunities and challenges. 

In this episode of Straight Talk with NDFB: Policy on the Ground, host Alisha Nord visits with NDFB Public Policy Director Calvin Benson about what's driving these changes and what they could mean for agriculture. From seed oils and protein to modern farming practices and food policy, the conversation explores how consumer trends are reaching the farm and why it's important for producers to stay engaged in the conversation.

In This Episode

• How social media is shaping the conversation about food and health
• What changing consumer preferences could mean for North Dakota crop and livestock producers
• Where the MAHA movement creates challenges AND opportunities for agriculture
• Why agricultural education and farmer voices matter in the conversation about America's food system

Learn more about agricultural policy and issues impacting North Dakota farmers and ranchers at NDFB.org.

Read NDFB's White Paper on the MAHA movement and GLP-1s. 

Questions? Contact NDFB Public Policy Director Calvin Benson at [email protected].

Getting grain to market is a major part of doing business in North Dakota agriculture, and rail transportation plays an important role. Transportation costs, access to rail service, and competition among carriers all affect how North Dakota commodities move to market.

In this episode of Straight Talk with NDFB: Policy on the Ground, host Alisha Nord sits down with NDFB Public Policy Director Calvin Benson to discuss rail transportation challenges facing North Dakota producers and the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger.

The conversation looks at how the rail system works, why competition matters for farmers and local elevators, and what the proposed merger could mean for shipping costs, service, and agricultural markets.

In This Episode

• How essential rail transportation is to moving North Dakota commodities to market
• Why access to competing rail carriers matters
• What the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger could mean for North Dakota agriculture
• How Farm Bureau is engaging on rail transportation issues

Learn more about rail transportation and other policy issues impacting agriculture at NDFB.org.

Read NDFB's White paper on Rail Transportation Costs and Logistics Problems

Questions? Contact NDFB Public Policy Director Calvin Benson at [email protected].

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more common in agriculture, helping farmers analyze field data, improve efficiency, and manage information. As the technology develops, it also raises questions about cost, data ownership, and security.

In this episode of Straight Talk with NDFB: Policy on the Ground, host Alisha Nord sits down with NDFB Public Policy Director Calvin Benson to discuss how AI is being used in agriculture today and what farmers and ranchers should consider as the technology evolves.

The conversation explores AI's potential benefits and limitations, data privacy concerns, and how Farm Bureau members can help shape future policy on this issue. 

In This Episode

• How AI is being used in agriculture today
• Potential benefits, costs, and challenges for farm operations
• Questions surrounding data ownership, privacy, and security
• How Farm Bureau members can help shape AI policy

Learn more about policy issues impacting agriculture and how to get involved at NDFB.org.

Find NDFB's White Paper on AI here: Artificial Intelligence and farming

Questions? Contact NDFB Public Policy Director Calvin Benson at [email protected].

Finding enough workers continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing agriculture. As North Dakota farmers and ranchers look for ways to fill critical labor needs, many operations have turned to the H-2A program to bring in temporary agricultural workers with specialized skills.

In this episode of Straight Talk with NDFB: Policy on the Ground, host Alisha Nord sits down with NDFB Public Policy Director Calvin Benson to discuss how the H-2A program works, why demand for agricultural labor remains high, and how the program is being used by North Dakota producers.

The conversation explores the challenges producers face when navigating the H-2A process, the role foreign workers play in livestock, dairy, and crop operations, and proposed federal reforms that could make the program more effective for year-round agriculture.

In This Episode

• What the H-2A program is and how it works
• Why labor shortages continue to impact North Dakota agriculture
• Proposed reforms that could expand opportunities for year-round agricultural labor
• Why many producers view H-2A as an important workforce tool for the future

Learn more about H-2A and other policy issues impacting agriculture at NDFB.org.

Read NDFB's White Paper on H2A Program here.

Interested in the H2A program? NDFB's Premier membership has an exclusive H2A program benefit. Learn more here.

Questions? Contact NDFB Public Policy Director Calvin Benson at [email protected].

North Dakota voters will decide Measure 1 on the November ballot, a constitutional measure that would raise the threshold for amending the state constitution from a simple majority to 60%.

In this episode of Straight Talk with NDFB: Policy on the Ground, host Alisha Nord sits down with NDFB Public Policy Director Calvin Benson to discuss what Measure 1 would do, why it was referred by the Legislature, and how it differs from citizen-initiated statutory measures.

The conversation explores the differences between constitutional amendments and ordinary laws, how constitutional changes are currently approved in North Dakota, and what supporters and opponents say the measure could mean for future ballot initiatives.

In This Episode

• What Measure 1 would change and what it would not affect
• The difference between constitutional amendments and statutory measures
• Why some believe constitutional changes should require broader voter support
• Common questions and misconceptions surrounding the measure

Learn more about Measure 1 and other policy issues impacting agriculture at NDFB.org. 

Read NDFB's White Paper on Measure 1

Questions? Contact NDFB Public Policy Director Calvin Benson at [email protected].

Carbon capture and storage is becoming an increasingly important topic in North Dakota, bringing new questions for farmers and landowners. Who owns the pore space beneath the land? What happens when a project crosses multiple properties? And what protections are in place for landowners?

In this episode of Straight Talk with NDFB: Policy on the Ground, host Alisha Nord sits down with NDFB Public Policy Director Calvin Benson to discuss how carbon sequestration works, why North Dakota is being considered for CO₂ storage, and what it could mean for agriculture.

The conversation explores the concept of pore space ownership, current North Dakota law, and the ongoing debate surrounding forced pore space amalgamation. They also cover questions landowners should consider if approached about a storage project, including contract terms, compensation, and long-term stewardship.

In This Episode

• What carbon sequestration is and how CO₂ storage works underground
• The status of NDFB's pore space amalgamation court case
• Questions landowners should ask before signing an agreement
• Why staying informed and engaged is important as projects move forward

Learn more by reading NDFB's white paper on pore space and CO₂ storage at NDFB.org.

Questions? Contact NDFB Public Policy Director Calvin Benson at [email protected].

Data centers are quickly becoming one of the biggest economic development topics in North Dakota. Driven by growing demand for artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, these projects have the potential to bring new investments to rural communities. At the same time, they raise important questions about land use, energy, water, local control, and the future of agriculture.

In this episode, host Alisha Nord sits down with Calvin Benson to discuss what data centers are, why companies are looking at North Dakota, and what these developments could mean for farmers, ranchers, landowners, and rural communities. Join us for this conversation as we explore both the opportunities and considerations surrounding one of the state's fastest-growing industries.

For more information and policy considerations, see NDFB's White Paper on "Data Center Development." 

Questions? Contact NDFB Public Policy Director Calvin Benson at [email protected]. 

In the first episode of Policy on the Ground, our newest season of Straight Talk with NDFB, host Alisha Nord sits down with NDFB Public Policy Director Calvin Benson.

Calvin shares more about his background, his role at NDFB and the work he does on behalf of members. 

The conversation also gives listeners a chance to get to know Calvin before he and Alisha begin digging into the policy topics that will shape the rest of the series.

For questions or comments, please contact Emmery Mehlhoff at [email protected]

Passing down a farm is rarely as simple as splitting everything equally. The land, equipment, and other assets may need to stay together to keep the operation going, while farming and non-farming heirs may have very different needs and expectations.

In this episode of Straight Talk with NDFB, the Harvesting Legal Knowledge series continues with NDFB CEO Jeffrey Missling and Ohnstad Twichell attorneys Tiffany Findlay and Jenna McPherson.

The conversation focuses on farm succession planning and the decisions families face as they prepare to transfer the operation to the next generation. The attorneys discuss what happens when there is a clear farming successor, what families can do when there is not, and how a plan can help keep the farm farming.

They also explain why fair does not always mean equal, why knowing the true value of land and equipment matters, and how co-ownership between siblings or other heirs can create challenges down the road.

Whether you are preparing to bring the next generation into the operation or simply starting the conversation, this episode offers practical guidance for building a plan that works for both the family and the future of the farm.

Watch the entire episode on our Harvesting Legal Knowledge page here.

Contact our host Emmery Mehlhoff at [email protected]

Disclaimer: The statements made and information provided in this podcast are for educational and informational purposes only. The statements do not constitute legal advice, nor are they intended to create an attorney-client relationship. Every situation is unique, so you should not rely on any statements in this podcast as a substitute for personalized legal counsel. Before taking action or making any decisions that may affect your legal rights and obligations, you should consult with an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

Estate planning can be easy to put off. But when there is no plan in place, state law may end up deciding who handles your affairs, who receives your property, and what happens to the farm.

In this episode of Straight Talk with NDFB, the Harvesting Legal Knowledge series continues with NDFB CEO Jeffrey Missling and Ohnstad Twichell attorneys Tiffany Findlay and Jenna McPherson.

The conversation breaks down the basics of estate planning, including wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. The attorneys explain why these documents matter, what can happen when someone dies without them, and why a spouse may not automatically have the legal authority to make financial or medical decisions.

They also discuss how farmland and other real estate can be transferred, the differences between life estate deeds and transfer-on-death deeds, and when trusts, gifting, estate taxes, or probate may come into play.

Watch the entire episode on our Harvesting Legal Knowledge page here.

Contact our host Emmery Mehlhoff at [email protected]

Disclaimer: The statements made and information provided in this podcast are for educational and informational purposes only. The statements do not constitute legal advice, nor are they intended to create an attorney-client relationship. Every situation is unique, so you should not rely on any statements in this podcast as a substitute for personalized legal counsel. Before taking action or making any decisions that may affect your legal rights and obligations, you should consult with an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.