Land O’Lakes CEO Beth Ford and North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong met this past week in Bismarck. Ford praised the state-owned Bank of North Dakota for its farm debt refinancing program. “It is challenging out there, but certainly no one is sitting on their hands; they are taking actions to support farmers, rural communities and resilience of this industry.” Farm stress is mounting with negative farm income forecast for the third straight year. Policy issues were part of the conversation during her two-day trip to North Dakota. “We still need a farm bill,” said Ford. “With the China deal coming together, we are seeking more detail and actual orders placed and shipped and further, a durable deal with improved market access.” Ford also joined Valley United CEO Paul Coppin at a farm near Grandin.
