NSF AgTech Engine in North Dakota Secures $45 Million in Continued Funding for Agricultural Innovation

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced a $45 million funding extension for the North Dakota-based NSF AgTech Engine to support agricultural technology innovation and workforce development over the next three years. This initiative focuses on addressing food security and rural economic challenges by connecting researchers directly with producers to develop scalable, use-inspired solutions. The investment aims to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial application through on-farm testing and cross-sector collaboration across the northern plains region.

The NSF AgTech Engine, now entering its third year, will utilize the $45 million award to expand its support for growers, producers, and entrepreneurs. Since its inception, the Engine has successfully leveraged $15 million in initial federal support to catalyze over $73 million in private capital and R&D investments. Led by CEO Hollie Mackey and headquartered at North Dakota State University (NDSU), the Engine operates on a producer-centric model where farmers are involved in the earliest stages of research and development. This approach utilizes on-farm test beds to ensure that new technologies are practical, durable, and meet the specific needs of the agricultural community before they reach the market.

Current projects within the Engine’s portfolio demonstrate the practical application of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and satellite observation. Project Whitewater, a collaboration with Boston-based earth observation company Aperture, uses these tools to generate daily soil moisture maps for precision irrigation. Another significant initiative, Bison Guard, is a community-based project at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation that applies AI to bison herd management and health. These projects are supported by a regional ecosystem that includes the University of North Dakota, Montana State University, and the University of Nebraska, alongside commercialization partners like NDeavor and the farmer-led consortium AgLaunch.

Beyond technological development, the Engine is heavily invested in building a sustainable AgTech workforce through diverse educational pathways. In partnership with the North Dakota Tribal College System, the initiative is creating stackable credentials and community-responsive curricula to open career opportunities in underserved areas. Furthermore, the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber and NDSU Extension are collaborating to integrate AgTech into K-12 education and provide upskilling for the existing workforce. This comprehensive strategy, backed by North Dakota’s congressional delegation, aims to reduce input costs and increase yields for farmers while maintaining a competitive edge in the global agricultural economy.