Senator John Hoeven announced on Apr. 7 that Grand Farm will serve as the National Program Manager for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech (NPG-Ag). Grand Farm will also be the first proving ground in this network, with an initial focus on weed control.
The new role places North Dakota’s precision agriculture ecosystem at the forefront of efforts to test and validate emerging technologies under real farming conditions. The program aims to help farmers make informed decisions about adopting new technologies by providing a standardized, data-driven evaluation process.
Hoeven said he has secured $11 million in funding for the cooperative agreement between Grand Farm, North Dakota State University (NDSU), and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), which helped secure Grand Farm’s selection as National Program Manager. This includes $2 million provided in Fiscal Year 2026 to create an ARS work site at Grand Farm, now being used by USDA to establish a Program Management Office for NPG-Ag.
“As both the National Program Manager and first proving ground for this USDA initiative, North Dakota’s technology ecosystem is front and center in efforts across the country to develop the next generation of precision ag technology,” Hoeven said. “The cooperative agreement we established between Grand Farm, NDSU and ARS served as the genesis for the USDA National Proving Grounds for AgTech. When we provided an additional $2 million to establish an ARS work site at Grand Farm, USDA saw this as an opportunity to create a national network of businesses and land grant institutions, with Grand Farm managing the program. What this means for farmers – new technologies will be tested and proven to work in real-world conditions, giving our producers certainty when they invest in the future of their operations.”
As part of its responsibilities, Grand Farm will manage logistics across a nationwide network involving technology companies, ARS scientists, and land-grant institutions such as NDSU; lead engagement with tech firms seeking innovation testing; and provide facilities needed for analysis.
Hoeven resides in Bismarck with his wife and family according to his official website. He was elected U.S. Senator representing North Dakota according to his official website after holding roles including president and CEO of Bank of North Dakota before serving as governor according to his official website. He serves on Senate committees covering appropriations; agriculture; nutrition; forestry; energy; and natural resources according to his official website. Hoeven earned degrees from Dartmouth College and Northwestern University according to his official website.
Looking ahead, NPG-Ag plans expansion into other priorities such as disease prevention, animal production, and water management.
