Neely Benton

The board discussed organizational changes at the university, including the planned merger of several colleges and the absorption of the 4-H Youth Development and Agricultural Education programs. Budget reductions and faculty line eliminations within the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources were addressed, along with updates on federal projects involving predictive crop modeling and precision agriculture. Additionally, the board received reports on ongoing legislative initiatives, specifically House Bills 1003 and 1020, and the status of various agricultural research and extension programs, including leadership transitions and committee searches for new board members.

The board received administrative updates from university leadership regarding budget constraints, student recruitment strategies, and ongoing institutional consolidation efforts. Key discussions included the economic impact of agriculture in the state, progress on legislative outreach and grant proposals such as the NSF Engine grant, and operational updates concerning federal funding and big data initiatives. Additionally, the board reviewed capital construction projects for research centers, examined the history and responsibilities of the Agricultural Research Fund, and discussed the potential displacement of research positions due to administrative restructuring.

The regular board meeting included administrative updates regarding the departure of President Cook and Dr. Katie Cook from NDSU, an update on a presentation to the Interim Higher Education Institutions Legislative Committee, and the announcement of a tentative ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Bolley Laboratory. Updates were also provided on NDSU Extension programs, the upcoming USDA NIFA Civil Rights review, and recent impacts from the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. The Chair announced the conclusion of Representative Alisa Mitskog's time on the board and the appointment of Representative Austin Foss. The board reviewed and discussed input received during the 2025 stakeholder prioritization process and received a presentation on Riverview Dairy Midwest operations.

The regular meetings held on January 13 and 14, 2026, included several administrative updates covering upcoming committee meetings, the Governor's Executive Budget Meeting, a delegation visit from the USDA-ARS, updates on Sagency strategic planning, Bolley Laboratory construction, and failed bids for REC storage sheds. Updates were also provided on the NDSU interim president search timeline, an Extension NIFA Civil Rights review, and the 4-H Giving Hearts Day participation. The hiring of the interim Veterinary Diagnostic Lab Director was announced, along with funding studies regarding the return on investment of ND AES research. A significant portion of both days was dedicated to programmatic review presentations from various NDSU Departments, RECs, and Extension programs. The second day concluded with the facilitation of the beginning of the SBARE prioritization process.

The regular board meeting included a strategy session conducted with an external consultant regarding the SBARE process. Key administrative updates were provided, including the announcement of President David Cook's acceptance of the presidency at Iowa State University, effective March 1, 2026. Updates covered legislative committee activity, changes in North Dakota University System leadership titles, and updates on provost and research center director searches and retirements. Agricultural Experiment Station updates detailed progress on the Bolley Laboratory facility construction and a request for 58 drones under a replacement program, emphasizing a high return on investment for agricultural research. Extension updates noted the conclusion of the SNAP-Ed program due to federal funding changes and highlighted the role of Extension programs in disaster response, helping secure approximately $19 million in aid. Additional items included reports on NDSU agriculture milestones, such as the launch of the Master of Agriculture program and fundraising success, as well as an update from the North Central Research Extension Center. Input testimony was received from several stakeholders.