skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

ND's Anti-Corporate Farming Law Faces New Fight Over Ownership Rules

play audio
Play

Wednesday, December 21, 2022   

Gov. Doug Burgum wants amendments to North Dakota's anti-corporate farming law, arguing certain rules make it harder to boost livestock production, but advocates for smaller producers worry about potential ripple effects.

The state law in question, in place for 90 years, does not allow corporations to purchase agricultural property. The idea has been to protect family farms. The governor proposed lifting ownership restrictions dealing with livestock.

Sarah Vogel, the state's former agriculture commissioner, feels changes would result in corporations wiping out the socioeconomic fabric of smaller communities.

"When a corporation buys the farmland, they might be bringing their supplies by semi-truck, owned by another subsidiary of the same corporation," Vogel explained. "And towns where corporate farms dominate, you see those small businesses die and wither."

Vogel contended farmers can obtain more land for livestock production by coming together to form cooperatives. A statement from the governor's office said aside from seeking amendments for ranches, the rest of the law would remain intact. In 2016, voters rejected moves by the Legislature to relax some elements of the law.

Environmental groups worry any changes would lead to pollution issues seen in other states after regulations are loosened.

Scott Skokos, executive director of the Dakota Resource Council, said a primary concern is the waste from large confined animal feeding operations wreaking havoc on local waterways.

"Places like Des Moines and other places in Iowa have had to spend millions of dollars to treat their water because it has been polluted by both runoff," Skokos pointed out. "And then also the animal feces from the CAFOs."

The law does have corporate ownership exemptions for families, but the governor said it should be expanded to allow unrelated individuals to pursue large investments in livestock operations. His office said North Dakota is falling behind neighboring states for this type of farm production.

Disclosure: The Dakota Resource Council contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Energy Policy, Environment, and Rural/Farming Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.

References:  
Currect law 1932

get more stories like this via email
more stories
Recipients of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grant can now access funding to drive financing for thousands of climate-focused and clean energy initiatives. (bilanol/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Michigan's most vulnerable communities are receiving federal funding to fight the devastating effects of climate change. It's part of the $27 billion …


Health and Wellness

play sound

September is Health Literacy Month, and a Denver-based group is working to help health professionals break a persistent pattern of discrimination …

Environment

play sound

A new report contends fossil fuel funding has biased Columbia University's climate research. The report, by two Columbia students, shows the …


Alabama releases roughly 220,279 men and 78,247 women from its prisons and jails each year. (Chad Robertson/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

An Alabama woman is on a mission to help people who've been incarcerated for decades successfully transition back into society. The mission to …

Health and Wellness

play sound

In North Carolina, the gap between Medicaid reimbursement rates and the actual cost of dental care has reached a crisis point, impacting both …

So far in 2024, community health centers in North Dakota have screened 11,580 patients for food insecurity. Through those screenings, more than three thousand box meals have been distributed. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

September is Hunger Action Month. In North Dakota, it isn't just food banks trying to help underserved populations get nutritious items. Health …

Environment

play sound

Marine biologists conducting deep dives near five California islands are collecting data they hope will strengthen the case for ending gillnet fishing…

Environment

play sound

Researchers at Iowa State University are taking aim at the huge amount of energy used by data centers, now and in the future. They have developed a …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021