Drive a few miles outside the city limits and it will be easy to recognize the significant role agriculture plays in the Red River Valley and beyond. Nearly 90% of North Dakota’s land area is involved in agricultural production. That equates to over 39.4 million acres. Farming is the foundation of the state’s existence. Oil may be the current face of the state, but farming is the soul.

North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple has proclaimed March as Pride of Dakota Month and Thursday, March 20, as Pride of Dakota Day. In his press release, Dalrymple stated, “North Dakota is a leader in the production of quality agriculture and home-crafted products for the United States and the world.” The governor went on to say, “The Pride of Dakota program serves as an important marketing took for North Dakota companies that are competing in a global market.”

What Is Pride of Dakota?

In 1985, then Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Jones created Pride of Dakota as a way to create an identifiable state “brand” that would designate product as made in North Dakota. The program started out with twenty member companies; there are currently over five hundred. Members include food companies, manufacturers, publishers, artisans, gift manufacturers, and service providers. The only requirement for membership is that products need to be created, produced, manufactured, and/or processed within the State of North Dakota. Membership allows companies and individuals to use the familiar blue and yellow “Pride of Dakota: North Dakota Originals” logo as well as participate in various showcases help annually across the state. Nearly 10,000 shoppers recently packed the Fargo Civic Center as part of the Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcase, almost 1,200 higher than the previous attendance record. Statewide, over 40,000 people participated in showcases around the state in 2013.

According to Kelly Wald, Pride of Dakota Specialist, the Pride of Dakota program is very unique. “Unlike a lot of other programs that focus on specific sectors of business, Pride of Dakota provides support and promotion for any North Dakota-based business that produces items here in the state or offers services from their North Dakota location,” she said. The program takes great pride of taking care of its own. Wald would like to encourage North Dakota businesses to become members. “Pride of Dakota is open to any North Dakota-based business that makes products or offers services,” she explained. “We have a wide variety of opportunities for marketing one’s business and we offer numerous vendor opportunities for Pride of Dakota members throughout the year.” The reputation that is attached to the blue and yellow sticker is something that makes the program so special. “Pride of Dakota is a very reputable brand and has grown to become known across the country and even in other countries,” Wald said.

It can be difficult for small local businesses to compete with large companies in the open market. Consider shopping local and supporting those businesses that are based in North Dakota. The blue and yellow “Pride of Dakota” sticker says it all.

National Agriculture Day:

In additional to Pride of Dakota month, March is also home to National Ag Day, held on March 25th. Sponsored by the Agriculture Council of America (ACA), National Ag Day is designed to be a time to “recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture.” Specifically, the day is designed to highlight the concept that agriculture is a part of all of us.

The ACA established the National Agriculture Day Program in 1973. Ag Day is held each March to ensure that every American understand the fundamental value of agriculture. A specific focus is placed on:

· Understanding how food and fiber products are produced. Increased knowledge of agriculture and nutrition allows individuals to make informed personal choices about diet and health.

· Appreciating the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant, and affordable products.

· Valuing the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy. Informed citizens will be able to participate in establishing the policies that will support a competitive agricultural industry in this country and abroad.

· Acknowledging and considering career opportunities in the agriculture, food, and fiber industry. Potential career choices include:

• Farm production

• Agribusiness management and marketing

• Agriculture research and engineering

• Food science

• Processing and retailing

• Banking

• Education

• Landscape architecture

• Urban planning

• Energy

Agriculture plays vital role in our nation’s framework. The Red River Valley itself was built upon shared agricultural pursuits. It is those pursuits that have enabled the valley to remain one of the top agricultural producers in the nation. One cannot talk about the Midwest without mentioning agriculture. According to the National Agriculture Statistics Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, North Dakota was home to 31,600 farms in 2012 totaling 39 million acres (1,253 acres per farm). Minnesota was home to 79,400 acres totaling 26.85 million acres (338 acres/farm). It is who we are and part of everything we do and it is time we say thank you.

Support a farmer or Pride of Dakota member today.

For more information on Pride of Dakota and their products, visit www.prideofdakota.nd.gov. More information about National Ag Day can be found at http://www.nd.gov/ndda.