North Dakota is still learning from the Hunter Hanson fraud that happened more than three years ago. A measure approved in the 2021 state legislative session gives the agriculture commissioner more discretion over who gets grain licenses. North Dakota Ag Commissioner Doug Goehring outlined the changes in a town hall at the North Dakota Grain Dealers Association Convention. “Everything has moved from a volume-base to value-base, whether it’s bonding or licensing. Deferred payment bonding went into effect this last year.” Deferred payment bonding brought the most questions. “If a farmer wants to defer payment on a crop to the next tax year, the elevator must offer a bond to protect the farmer in the event of insolvency,” said Stu Letcher, executive director, North Dakota Grain Dealers Association. “There are questions about how this will work. It’s a good program, but there are a few things to address.” Hear the story.