Resources
FARMS (FARRMS – Foundation for Agricultural and Rural Resources Management and Sustainability)
Supports beginning farmers and food system development. Offers internships, mentorship,
and educational resources.
🌐 https://www.farrms.org
North Dakota Farmers Market & Growers Association (NDFMGA)
Connects producers to markets, offers vendor support, and provides certification and marketing help.
🌐 https://www.ndfarmersmarkets.org
Strengthen ND
Statewide nonprofit advancing rural vitality through food systems, placemaking, and
leadership development. Initiatives include the Strong Farm Incubator and Veggie Van.
🌐 https://www.strengthennd.com
North Dakota Local Foods Development Alliance (NDLFDA)
A coalition of producers, organizations, and agencies promoting a stronger local food economy. Coordinates policy, research, and community-building efforts.
🌐https://ndlocalfood.org/
North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) - local food resource
Offers grants, regulatory guidance, and local food development programs. Manages the Local Foods Directory, Farm to School, and Specialty Crop initiatives.
🌐 https://www.ndda.nd.gov/divisions/business-marketing-information/local-foods
NDSU Extension (North Dakota State University Extension)
Delivers research-based support in horticulture, soil health, farm business planning, and marketing. County agents and specialists are available statewide.
🌐 https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension
Soil Conservation Districts (SCDs)
Local offices providing free or low-cost technical assistance on soil health, water conservation, and regenerative practices. Contact your county SCD for workshops, cover crop cost-share, and planning support.
🌐 NDASCD page
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Provides farm conservation planning, technical support, and financial assistance through
programs like EQIP and CSP. Prioritizes soil health, high tunnels, rotational grazing, and
conservation cropping.
🌐 NRCS page
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
Supports local and regional food systems through grants such as the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), and Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG).
🌐 https://www.ams.usda.gov
USDA Rural Development (RD)
Offers loans and grants to develop essential services in rural areas—including food hubs,
cooperative processing, cold storage, and business development.
🌐 https://www.rd.usda.gov