AGRIBUSINESS
Rich Land. Rich Opportunies
Fertile Land for Business
The Grand Forks region is home to some of America’s richest farmland. Historically, North Dakota agriculture has been a catalyst for the Grand Forks region’s growth and development. Currently, the region has over 5,000 agriculture production jobs. Not only does the region lead the nation in food production and processing, it is also a hotbed for other crops like wheat, soybeans, sugarbeets, and corn. With continuing worldwide population growth, expected to reach 9.7 billion people by 2050, demand for agriculturally-driven products is continuing to increase. To help meet these demands, our region is leading the research and development of the use of autonomous/unmanned vehicles for precision agriculture.
FAST FACTS
5000+
NUMBER OF AG PRODUCTION JOBS IN THE REGION
#1
Commodity Producing state
in wheat durum, wheat spring, all dry beans, pinto beans, canola, flaxseed, honey, and edible dry peas in the nation.
Powering our Region
From local businesses to large-scale corporations, Grand Forks is home to many major employers within the agribusiness industry. American Crystal Sugar, located in East Grand Forks, is a major producer of sugar beets. In fact, about 2,800 farmers who live in the Red River Valley region grow sugar beets for the company. International food and agriculture company J. R. Simplot Company is one of the largest privately held firms in the country, with annual sales of about $4.5 billion. North Dakota Mill & Elevator has been milling wheat in Grand Forks since 1922. The North Dakota Mill supports the local economy with a payroll of $14 million annually.
Fueling the Talent Pipeline
With over 5,000 ag production jobs in the region, Grand Forks is home to a strong agribusiness workforce that continues to grow every year. 27% of manufacturing jobs in the region are agriculture-related, due to strong ties between advanced manufacturing and the local agriculture industry.
Planting the Seeds for Future Growth
The state of North Dakota provides fertile soil for plenty of agricultural research to take place. The Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center is a major research facility located at the University of North Dakota. Staffed by 13 senior scientists and 80 support personnel, the 92,000-square-foot building contains biochemical laboratories and state-of-the-art facilities for research with humans and animals. The center is operated by the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, with a mission to conduct basic and applied research to understand how nutrients and other bioactive food components affect human health. In addition, Grand Forks continues to innovate in the agribusiness field by conducting research involving the use of autonomous and unmanned vehicles for precision agriculture.
Powering our Region
From local businesses to large-scale corporations, Grand Forks is home to many major employers within the agribusiness industry. American Crystal Sugar, located in East Grand Forks, is a major producer of sugar beets. In fact, about 2,800 farmers who live in the Red River Valley region grow sugar beets for the company. International food and agriculture company J. R. Simplot Company is one of the largest privately held firms in the country, with annual sales of about $4.5 billion. North Dakota Mill & Elevator has been milling wheat in Grand Forks since 1922. The North Dakota Mill supports the local economy with a payroll of $14 million annually.
Fueling the Talent Pipeline
With over 5,000 ag production jobs in the region, Grand Forks is home to a strong agribusiness workforce that continues to grow every year. 27% of manufacturing jobs in the region are agriculture-related, due to strong ties between advanced manufacturing and the local agriculture industry.
Planting the Seeds for Future Growth
The state of North Dakota provides fertile soil for plenty of agricultural research to take place. The Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center is a major research facility located at the University of North Dakota. Staffed by 13 senior scientists and 80 support personnel, the 92,000-square-foot building contains biochemical laboratories and state-of-the-art facilities for research with humans and animals. The center is operated by the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, with a mission to conduct basic and applied research to understand how nutrients and other bioactive food components affect human health. In addition, Grand Forks continues to innovate in the agribusiness field by conducting research involving the use of autonomous and unmanned vehicles for precision agriculture.
STAY INFORMED
Stay up to date with the latest information from the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation.
