Other Important Ag Stories Seen This Past Year

Numerous regional stories also made headlines in 2025, including Agristo’s decision to build a major potato processing plant in Grand Forks. A derecho cut through North Dakota this summer, destroying everything in its path, including commercial and on-farm grain storage. The region’s sugarbeet industry also took a hit this past year—hurt by disease issues and an oversupply of sugar worldwide. NDFB President Daryl Lies and North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne chose the same year to step away. Val Wagner and Matt Perdue are the new presidents of NDFB and NDFU, respectively. Federal action on Waters of the United States and biofuels policy were also key discussion points in 2025.