North Dakota Local Food Economic Contribution Study
Help tell the story with numbers that count.
North Dakota’s local food economy is growing, but it isn’t reflected in datasets that drive funding, infrastructure, and support. This statewide study will build a credible baseline of the size and economic contribution of local food in North Dakota. By measuring the sector in ways that align with other major industry studies, this work will help make local food more visible in the decisions that shape investment and long-term growth.
Confidential
Your responses are held in
strict confidence. Results
are reported only in industry
totals, and no individual
operation can be identified.
Credible
The study is conducted by established NDSU research teams using methods built for economic contribution modeling.
Accessible
Results will be shared publicly through a report and dashboard, with guidance on how to use the data for your own advocacy, planning, and storytelling.
Want more context? Read about why this study matters (and what changes when local food is counted):
Supporting Organizations
This statewide effort is possible because of collaboration across North Dakota. Partner organizations are helping spread awareness and encourage broad participation because better data helps local food be seen, supported, and resourced.
The Opportunity
Local food contributes to jobs, businesses, and community resilience across North Dakota, but current statewide data does not clearly show that impact. Without credible baseline numbers, local food stays invisible in conversations where resources get allocated.
About the Study
Local food contributes to jobs, businesses, and community resilience across North Dakota, but current statewide data does not clearly show that impact. Without credible baseline numbers, local food stays invisible in conversations where resources get allocated.
Who is conducting the research?
North Dakota State University’s Center for Social Research and the Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics are conducting this study to produce a credible, comprehensive analysis consistent with the methods used in major statewide economic contribution work.
Find Your Secure Link
Local food businesses across North Dakota will receive an email from NDSU with a unique, secure link to access their survey.
Look for an email from North Dakota State University about the North Dakota Local Food Economic Contribution Study.
Tip: check spam/junk or search your inbox for “North Dakota Local Food Economic Contribution Study”
Request a Link
If you grow, raise, process, or produce food products that are sold in North Dakota, we want to count you. Fill out the form to add your email and receive a unique, confidential survey link directly in your inbox. Contact Form
Completing the Survey
The survey is open through May 15, 2026
Survey Contents
The survey contains questions about the amount of food you produce, the revenue you make, and your business expenses. These questions help estimate the size and impact of the local food industry statewide.
Best estimates and rounding are okay. This is not meant to be an audit; it's a way to reflect the real range of how local food businesses contribute to the economy.
Set Aside 15 Minutes
How long the survey takes depends on how large or complex your operation is and what you produce. We recommend setting aside about 15 minutes to complete it. It will be easiest to complete on a computer rather than a phone.
Have Your Records Handy
To make the survey quicker and easier to complete, have your 2025 financial and operational information nearby. Having your 2025 Schedule F accessible may make it easier to find some of the information requested.
Your Data & Privacy
This study is about building an accurate statewide picture of North Dakota’s local food economy.
Your survey response will be combined with responses from across the state to create a report about the food system as a whole.
Your individual information is confidential and will be seen only by the NDSU research team.
No partner organizations supporting this work (including FARRMS) will have access to individual business data.
Public results will be aggregated and anonymous.
This is not a regulatory effort, and it’s not an audit or evaluation of your business.
Questions
What’s the direct benefit to local food producers/businesses in completing the survey?
Data shapes decisions about funding, infrastructure, programs, and policy that affect producers, processors, and local food businesses across the state. Your response helps build the evidence needed to strengthen the case for support.
Who will see my response?
Only the NDSU research team will see individual responses. FARRMS and any supporting organizations will not have access to your responses or operational information. All reporting is de-identified and pooled.
Why are you asking for financial information?
To build a baseline that holds up in economic modeling, we need real patterns of revenue and expenses. Without real numbers, local food can stay out of the conversations where funding and infrastructure decisions get made.
Why are you asking for operational volume?
This helps researchers estimate how much local food activity is actually occurring statewide and improves the accuracy of the analysis.
How will results be shared?
We’re committed to making results broadly accessible:
A public report will be posted online
A dashboard will be created on NDcompass
We’ll share findings through websites, social media, and email
We’ll host webinars to walk through how you can use the data for your own advocacy and planning
I’m not sure if I qualify, should I still respond?
Yes. If you received an invitation, please complete the survey. We want to capture the full range of local food activity in North Dakota, including operations that are often overlooked. If you did not receive an invitation but believe your business should be included, use the form above to request a link.
Why do I need a unique link?
Unique links help ensure one response per operation and keep results clean and credible. They also ensure the survey comes directly from NDSU—so your data stays with the research team.
Need help?
Want to talk with a real person first?
Contact: Felicity Merritt | fmerritt@economicrecoverycorps.org | 701-541-6336