# Title 15 — Education

## Chapter 15-12.1 — Agriculture Experiment Station and Agricultural Research

### § 15-12.1-01. Definitions.

In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Agricultural experiment station" means the North Dakota state university main
research center, the Dickinson research extension center, the Williston research
extension center, the Langdon research extension center, the central grasslands
research extension center, the Carrington research extension center, the Hettinger
research extension center, the north central research extension center, the agronomy
seed farm, and any other department or agency designated by the state board of
higher education.
2. "Center director" means the administrator in charge of a research or research
extension center.
3. "Station director" means the administrator of the agricultural experiment station.
### § 15-12.1-02. Agricultural experiment station.

The state board of agricultural research and education and the president of North Dakota
state university shall control and administer the North Dakota agricultural experiment station
subject to the supervision of the state board of higher education. Funds appropriated to the
agricultural experiment station may not be commingled with funds appropriated to North Dakota
state university. Appropriation requests to defray expenses of the agricultural experiment station
must be separate from appropriation requests to defray expenses of North Dakota state
university.
### § 15-12.1-03. Center directors - Research and research extension centers - Records and

information.
The station director has jurisdiction over the research and research extension centers of the
agricultural experiment station. The center director shall administer each research or research
extension center. The center director shall report to the station director. Each research or
research extension center shall keep detailed records of all research activities. The research or
research extension center shall publish and disseminate research results and information for the
benefit of this state.
### § 15-12.1-04. Reports.

Each center director shall submit an annual report to the station director. Each report must
set forth in detail the investigations and experiments made during the preceding year,
recommendations for the welfare of the center, the financial condition of the center, how all
moneys have been expended during the preceding year, and the results of all experiments that
have been completed during the preceding year. By September first of each year, the station
director shall submit these reports, with a report of the North Dakota state university main
research center, to the state board of agricultural research and education and the state board of
higher education.
### § 15-12.1-05. North Dakota state university main research center position adjustments -

Budget section report.
The North Dakota state university main research center must be located on the campus of
North Dakota state university of agriculture and applied science. The center is the administrative
location of the agricultural experiment station. The center shall conduct research and coordinate
all research activities of the agricultural experiment station. The research must have, as a
purpose, the development and dissemination of technology important to the production and
utilization of food, feed, fiber, and fuel from crop and livestock enterprises. The research must
provide for the enhancement of quality of life, sustainability of production, and protection of the
environment. The station director may adjust or increase full-time equivalent positions to carry
out activities to accomplish the mission of the agricultural experiment station, subject to the

availability of funds. All full or partial positions must be separate from North Dakota state
university. The station director shall report annually to the office of management and budget and
to the budget section any adjustments or increases made under this section. The center may
conduct baseline research, including production and processing in conjunction with the research
and extension centers of the state, regarding industrial hemp and other alternative industrial use
crops. The center may collect feral hemp seed stock and develop appropriate adapted strains of
industrial hemp which contain less than three-tenths of one percent tetrahydrocannabinol in the
dried flowering tops. The agriculture commissioner shall monitor the collection of feral hemp
seed stock and industrial hemp strain development and shall certify appropriate stocks for
licensed commercial cultivation.
### § 15-12.1-06. Dickinson research extension center.

The Dickinson research extension center must be located in or near Dickinson in Stark
County. The center shall conduct research:
1. On increasing the carrying capacity of native rangeland, with emphasis on
conservation and preservation for future generations;
2. On grass production to determine how to best compensate for the vagaries of the
weather as it influences forage production in the agriculture of western North Dakota;
3. At the ranch location in Dunn County with beef cattle and swine on breeding, feeding,
management, and disease control for the benefit of livestock producers of western
North Dakota and the entire state; and
4. Designed to increase productivity of all agricultural products of the soil by maintaining
or improving the soil resource base in the agricultural region of southwestern North
Dakota by:
a. The identification of adapted crop species and superior crop cultivars;
b. Propagation and distribution of selected seed stock; and
c. Development of profitable cropping systems that achieve the necessary balance
between profitability and conservation of all natural resources.
### § 15-12.1-07. Williston research extension center.

The Williston research extension center must be located in or near Williston in Williams
County. The center shall conduct research designed to increase productivity of all agricultural
products of the soil while maintaining or improving the soil resource base in the agricultural
region of northwestern North Dakota by:
1. The identification of adapted crop species and superior crop cultivars;
2. Propagation and distribution of selected seed stocks; and
3. Development of profitable cropping systems that achieve the necessary balance
between profitability and conservation of all natural resources.
### § 15-12.1-08. Langdon research extension center.

The Langdon research extension center must be located in or near Langdon in Cavalier
County. The center shall conduct research designed to increase productivity of all agricultural
products of the soil while maintaining or improving the soil resource base in the agricultural
region of northeastern North Dakota by:
1. The identification of adapted crop species and superior crop cultivars;
2. Propagation and distribution of selected seed stocks; and
3. Development of profitable cropping systems that achieve the necessary balance
between profitability and conservation of all natural resources.
### § 15-12.1-09. Central grasslands research extension center.

The central grasslands research extension center must be located within an area bounded
by the Missouri River on the west and the James River on the east. The center shall conduct
research:
1. Designed to fulfill needs within an area bounded by the Missouri River on the west and
the James River on the east; and

2. To increase the range-carrying capacity of native range, with emphasis on:
a. The conservation and preservation for future generations;
b. The stabilization of grass production to discover how to best compensate for the
vagaries of the weather and precipitation as it influences forage production in
agriculture;
c. The identification of the impact of different management systems upon beef
production in the central region of the state; and
d. The exploration of increased use of crop residues and byproducts for the
maintenance of the cowherd.
### § 15-12.1-10. Carrington research extension center.

The Carrington research extension center must be located in or near Carrington in Foster
County. The center shall conduct research designed to:
1. Determine the potential of irrigated agriculture in the region proposed for irrigation
development in the state which must be related to both crop and livestock production;
and
2. Increase productivity of all agricultural products of the soil while maintaining or
improving the soil resource base in the agricultural region of east central North Dakota
by:
a. The identification of adapted crop species and superior crop cultivars;
b. Propagation and distribution of selected seed stocks; and
c. Development of profitable cropping and integrated crop and livestock systems
that achieve the necessary balance between profitability and conservation of all
natural resources.
### § 15-12.1-11. Hettinger research extension center.

The Hettinger research extension center must be located in or near Hettinger in Adams
County. The center shall develop the best available technology in breeding, feeding,
management, and disease control pertinent to the production of sheep in the state. The center
shall conduct research designed to increase productivity of all agricultural products of the soil
while maintaining or improving the soil resource base in southwestern North Dakota by:
1. The identification of adapted crop species and superior crop cultivars;
2. Propagation and distribution of selected seed stocks; and
3. Development of profitable cropping systems that achieve the necessary balance
between profitability and conservation of all natural resources.
### § 15-12.1-12. North central research extension center.

The north central research extension center must be located in or near Minot in Ward
County. The center shall conduct research designed to increase productivity of all agricultural
products of the soil while maintaining or improving the soil resource base in the agricultural
region of north central North Dakota by:
1. The identification of adapted crop species and superior crop cultivars;
2. Propagation and distribution of selected seed stocks; and
3. Development of profitable cropping systems which achieve the necessary balance
between profitability and conservation of all natural resources.
### § 15-12.1-13. Agronomy seed farm - Investment of reserve income fund.

At the direction of the center director of the agronomy seed farm with the approval of the
station director, the state treasurer shall provide for the investment of available moneys in the
agronomy seed farm reserve income fund. The state treasurer shall credit the investment
income to the agronomy seed farm reserve income fund. The moneys in the fund may be spent
only within the limits of legislative appropriation.
### § 15-12.1-14. State board of agricultural research and education - Membership - Terms.

1. The state board of agricultural research and education consists of:

a. The president of North Dakota state university or the president's designee;
b. The vice president of agricultural affairs at North Dakota state university, who
serves in an ex officio nonvoting capacity;
c. The administrator of the agricultural experiment station, who serves in an
ex officio nonvoting capacity;
d. The five persons appointed to the state board of agricultural research and
education by the ag coalition;
e. The five persons appointed to the state board of agricultural research and
education by the extension service's multicounty program units;
f. The agriculture commissioner, who serves in an ex officio nonvoting capacity;
g. The director of the North Dakota state university extension service, who serves in
an ex officio nonvoting capacity; and
h. Two members of the legislative assembly appointed by the chairman of the
legislative management. The chairman shall appoint one member from each
political faction. The terms of members are for two years and members may be
reappointed. The legislative council shall pay the compensation and expense
reimbursement for the legislative members.
2. a. The initial five members appointed by the ag coalition shall select their terms by
lot so that one member serves for one year, one member serves for two years,
one member serves for three years, one member serves for four years, and one
member serves for five years.
b. The initial five members appointed by the extension service's multicounty
program units shall select their terms by lot so that one member serves for one
year, one member serves for two years, one member serves for three years, one
member serves for four years, and one member serves for five years.
3. At the completion of each initial term, the term of office for each member is four years,
beginning on July first. An individual may be reappointed to a second four-year term.
4. a. At least ninety days before the term of a member appointed by the ag coalition
expires, the ag coalition shall provide to the state board of higher education a list
of one or more names from which the state board of higher education shall
appoint a successor. The state board of higher education shall ensure four out of
the five seats are held by agricultural producers.
b. At least ninety days before the term of a member appointed by the extension
service's multicounty program units expires, the units through their advisory
groups shall provide to the state board of higher education a list of one or more
names from which the state board of higher education shall appoint a successor.
The state board of higher education shall ensure four out of the five seats are
held by agricultural producers.
5. If an appointed position becomes vacant, the vacancy must be filled for the unexpired
portion of the term in the same manner as the initial appointment except that the
ninety-day requirement is waived. An individual appointed under this subsection is
eligible to serve two full terms after completing the unexpired term for which the
individual was appointed.
### § 15-12.1-15. Compensation of board members - Expenses.

Each appointed member of the state board of agricultural research and education is entitled
to receive one hundred thirty-five dollars per day as compensation for the time actually spent
devoted to the duties of office and is entitled to receive necessary expenses in the same
manner and amounts as state officials for attending meetings and performing other functions of
office.
### § 15-12.1-16. State board of agricultural research and education - Chairman - Meetings.

The state board of agricultural research and education shall elect one of its members
annually to serve as chairman. The board shall meet at the times and locations designated by
the chairman in consultation with the vice president of agricultural affairs at North Dakota state
university.

### § 15-12.1-17. State board of agricultural research and education - Duties.

Within the policies of the state board of higher education, the state board of agricultural
research and education is responsible for budgeting and policymaking associated with the
agricultural experiment station and the North Dakota state university extension service. The
state board of agricultural research and education shall:
1. Determine the causes of any adverse economic impacts on crops and livestock
produced in this state;
2. Develop ongoing strategies for the provision of research solutions and resources to
negate adverse economic impacts on crops and livestock produced in this state;
3. Develop proactive strategies for the extension service to fulfill the mission of improving
the lives and livelihood of the citizens of North Dakota by providing research-based
education;
4. Implement the strategies developed under subsections 2 and 3, subject to approval by
the state board of higher education;
5. Develop, with the agricultural experiment station and the North Dakota state university
extension service, an annual budget for the operations of these entities;
6. Develop a biennial budget request based on its prioritized needs list and submit that
request to the president of North Dakota state university and the state board of higher
education, and forward its prioritized needs list and request without modification to the
office of management and budget and the appropriations committees of the legislative
assembly;
7. Maximize the use of existing financial resources, equipment, and facilities to generate
the greatest economic benefit from research and extension efforts and to promote
efficiency;
8. Annually evaluate the results of research and extension activities and expenditures
and report the findings to the legislative management and the state board of higher
education;
9. Advise the president of North Dakota state university regarding the recruitment,
selection, and performance of the vice president of agricultural affairs, the extension
service director, and the station director; and
10. Provide a status report to the budget section of the legislative management.
### § 15-12.1-18. Agricultural research fund - Continuing appropriation.

The agricultural research fund is a special fund in the state treasury. Moneys in the fund are
appropriated to the state board of agricultural research and education for purposes of
agricultural research. Any interest earned by the fund must be returned to the fund.
### § 15-12.1-19. State board of agricultural research and education - Apportionment of

research funds.
1. The state board of agricultural research and education may use up to ten percent of
the moneys in the agricultural research fund, not to exceed fifty thousand dollars per
year, for administrative expenses and annually shall apportion the remaining proceeds
of the agricultural research fund as follows:
a. Seventy percent to research activities affecting North Dakota agricultural
commodities that account for at least two percent of the gross sales of all
agricultural commodities grown or produced in the state. The percentage of the
dollars available for each agricultural commodity under this section may not
exceed the percentage that the gross sales of the agricultural commodity bear to
the North Dakota gross sales of all agricultural commodities grown or produced
during the previous year, as determined by the agricultural statistics service;
b. Eighteen percent to research activities affecting North Dakota animal agriculture;
and
c. Twelve percent to research activities affecting new and emerging crops in North
Dakota.
2. The state board of agricultural research and education shall solicit proposals for
research from the public and private sectors and shall appoint committees to review

the proposals and award the agricultural research grants on a competitive basis. Each
committee must consist of a majority of agricultural producers selected in consultation
with the agricultural commodity groups representing commodities that are the subjects
of the proposed research and may include researchers and other individuals
knowledgeable about the proposed area of research. Whenever possible, the
committees shall require a grant recipient commit matching funds.
3. The state board of agricultural research and education shall develop policies regarding
the award of research grants, including requirements for matching funds, cooperation
with other in-state and out-of-state researchers, and coordination with other in-state
and out-of-state proposed or ongoing research projects.
