Monson and Hauge maintain that industrial hemp (used in products ranging from lotions to clothing) is not the same plant as marijuana.

Read more here.

In North Dakota, Schafer is well known for his efforts to increase high-speed internet connections across the state that allow for telemedicine and like programs in very rural areas.  Ethanol production seems to be an issue, too.  From the article:

Since he became agriculture secretary in January, Schafer has fought arguments that ethanol production is chiefly to blame for rising food prices because of the industry’s demands on the nation’s corn crop.

“Things have become apparent that while ethanol production … is a factor in increased (food) prices, it’s not the driving factor,” Schafer said in remarks to reporters. “Energy, and increased consumption globally, are the issues here that are pushing the show.” 

Ethanol may make a good scapegoat in the face of rising prices, but blame never seems to help.  The truth is, it’s a good idea to think about alternative fuels like ethanol and wind energy.  It’s good to discuss how we can develop clean and renewable resources. 

It’s just not wise to mandate changes that we don’t have enough information on–including what the unintended consequences may be.  Schafer may be trying to say that we need to get a wider view of the entire picture before we write ethanol off.

It will be interesting to see if anything comes of this.

My husband and little brother were joking about North Dakota this morning.  ”Our slogan is We’re farther away than South Dakota,” my husband said, and we all laughed.   ND is still a good natured joke with my loved ones, in spite of my efforts to get them to move there.

But even joking, there are some terrific things going on for the state that no one can ignore.  Farm land in the state set a record for real estate price and the projected state surplus is projected to reach over $1 billion.  On top of that, there are now 80 oil rigs actively drilling in ND, surpassing the 1984 record high by 30 rigs.  North Dakota has a very healthy economy and a strong developing energy industry.

The Bakken formation itself is worth more than one look.  It has already changed life forever in small farming communities like Stanley and Tioga in the northwestern corner of the state.  Besides oil, there’s a lot of biofuel and wind energy development.

To me, these aren’t just useless facts.  There’s something slightly mystic about living in North Dakota, even if it is (surprisingly) the most urban area I’ve ever lived in.    I love living there.  Even if it’s worth joking about.

A quick google search on ‘industrial hemp north dakota’ brought up this article, which was published in February.  I think I missed this one.  I’m guessing the appeal is already well underway. 

It’s an important issue for ND because it could allow us to begin producing ourselves something we import in abundance.  As we try to free ourselves from dependence on foreign oil, it makes sense that we should do the same thing in other areas.

It also puts North Dakota in a very progressive spot.  The state has been first in a lot of areas lately–the first to settle an educational lawsuit out of court, the first in exports this past year (and the economy has remained strong here).  Being the first state to allow industrial hemp growth was also a first. 

As far as firsts go, it would be great if the state could follow up on that and be able to actually grow it.

Perhaps Obama’s visits to the state are paying off.  North Dakota is emerging as an economically strong state, with its well-known agricultural aspects being complimented now by a strong energy production industry.  For a presidential candidate, having an up-and-coming state on your side could swing the votes, especially proportionally because ND has a relatively small population size.

Here are some areas that could make a difference for either candidate in winning a majority of ND’s favor:

• A candidate who is committed to encouraging our state’s energy transmission by supporting new power lines and pipelines could garner support from the booming energy industry.  A policy like this could also gather support from coastal states who want lower fuel prices, more domestic fuel resources and more resources from clean fuels like wind energy.
• Likewise, a candidate dedicated to research and development of biofuels would do well because a viable biofuels option could mix agriculture and energy, two of the state’s strong economic areas. 
• Farmers and people living in rural areas would probably vote for a candidate who would support Disaster Relief funds for purposes like flooding and drought.

I’m sure there are more.  These are the first ones that spring to mind.  I would love to hear about other issues, which candidate is best suited to take those issues on, and why. 

From the article:

Don’t look for an economic downturn in North Dakota: In fact, the state is holding job fairs in other states to try to fill 13,000 open jobs.

And:

Amid concern that the US economy is slipping and sliding into a recession, some states and many cities expect to continue to grow. In some cases, the growth is the result of having the right industries or resources at the right time. In other cases, it is the result of savvy and diversified economic development that appears to be shrugging off the recession blues. In virtually all cases, areas of growth appear to have avoided the huge run-up in housing prices and subsequent collapse.

The article indicated that the state’s economic success is due largely to diversification. 

North Dakota has always been an agricultural state, and agriculture will probably remain the top industry here…but it isn’t the only industry; not anymore.  The creation of a state Department of Commerce has allowed the state to develop a strong tourism industry.  Manufacturing, information technology, and the energy industry all play strong roles now, too.  The energy industry is especially vibrant right now, with several new oil wells being drilled in the Bakken area. 

The state has also invested in programs that reward creative entrepreneurial thinking like Innovate ND.

While we owe much–maybe even most–of the state’s current economic boom to the oil industry, the other industries do play their part.

Again from the article (italicized parentheses added):

North Dakota is one of only three states to gain manufacturing jobs, he (Gov. John Hoeven) says. Behind that gain is a push to export – up 34 percent in 2007 over 2006, the fastest rate of growth of any state in the United States. The state has also seen a big rise in energy investments in coal, oil, natural gas, and renewables. On top of that, North Dakota merchants are profiting from Canadian tourists, who are crossing the border to shop with their strong currency.

 From the article:

The buyout will combine Corn Products’ sweeteners, starches and other ingredients with Bunge’s portfolio of agribusiness, fertilizer, edible oil and milling products.

The global market for starches and sweeteners alone is growing at approximately 5 percent each year, and Corn Products has some of the biggest beer and food makers in the world as clients.

I have to wonder if this will impact current ethanol production.  A recent post at the Cellulosic Ethanol blog announced that 58 members of congress signed a letter encouraging the EPA to pursue the development of cellulosic ethanol.  I haven’t been able to find any information to back that up or which congress members would have signed the letter if this piece of information is true.  I’d be interested in knowing whether North Dakota Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad participated, but I haven’t seen anything on either of their web sites.  A contact at the region 8 office of the EPA didn’t know anything about the letter.  Maybe the information is old or incorrect.  (If anyone knows anything more about this, please let me know.)  

 With the global demand for corn as food increasing, it makes sense that we should put more energy into research and development of cellulosic ethanol. 

Meanwhile, states like North Dakota that have the potential to both promote cellulosic ethanol and develop other forms of energy production (including wind energy production, coal mining and oil from drilling areas like the Bakken formation) can and should continue to develop those energy sources. 

It’s common sense, in light of the recent tomato-samonella scare and rising transportation costs for people to get their produce from as close to home as possible.  It’s also common sense for North Dakota to emphasize its non-commodity crops through outlets like the Agraria restaurants in Washington, D.C. 

While energy production from oil, wind and biofuels are increasing, agriculture is still the state’s top industry.  Value-added agriculture is being emphasized.  Perhaps marketing locally-grown vegetables, fruits and flowers is another branch of emphasis that could pay off for North Dakota farmers.