AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 4.1-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to creating a farm management program within the department of agriculture; to amend and reenact section 15-20.1-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the powers and duties of the state board of career at technical education; and to provide an appropriation.
SB2274 creates a new farm management program within the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and directs the agriculture commissioner to oversee it. The program is intended to coordinate existing and new farm management efforts across state agencies, boards, and commissions, and to create or expand marketing clubs connected to those programs. The bill also appropriates $1.9 million from the general fund for the 2025-2027 biennium to pay for services related to the program.
In addition to establishing the new program, the bill amends the state board of career and technical education statute to add farm management coordination and marketing clubs to the board’s listed powers and duties. This ties farm management programming more closely to the state’s career and technical education framework and gives the board express authority to support these activities alongside its existing education-related responsibilities.
The bill would add a new section to chapter 4.1-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, formally placing farm management programming under the Department of Agriculture and requiring the commissioner to coordinate related efforts statewide. It also amends section 15-20.1-03 to expand the state board of career and technical education’s authority to coordinate farm management programs and create or expand marketing clubs. The appropriation provides direct state funding for implementation and services over the next biennium, affecting the Department of Agriculture and any state entities involved in farm management education and outreach.
The bill appears to have broad support, as reflected in strong final passage votes in both chambers: 42-2 in the Senate and 81-10 in the House. The vote totals suggest that lawmakers generally viewed the measure favorably, likely because it supports agricultural education, farm business skills, and coordination of existing programs. No committee transcript was provided, so there is no recorded debate to indicate detailed public or legislative concerns.
The main point of potential contention is the size and use of the $1.9 million general fund appropriation, since the bill creates an ongoing state-funded program. Another possible issue is the expansion of duties for the state board of career and technical education, which may raise questions about whether farm management programming belongs within that board’s traditional education mission or should remain solely within agriculture-related agencies. Despite these structural questions, the recorded votes indicate limited opposition overall.