Josh Kramer

We hope you enjoyed last month’s commemorative issue of North Dakota Living celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. We enjoyed showcasing the people, stories, industries and communities shaping our state and our nation.

After reflecting on the ideas that gave birth to our nation, it’s fitting this month’s issue focuses on civic engagement in the democratic process. You’ll find stories connected by a common theme: the importance of being informed and engaged citizens.

This July, our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence – a milestone that set our country on a path of opportunity.

At North Dakota Living, this issue highlights our place in the American story, recognizing the contributions that have shaped our identity over generations.

No matter where you live in North Dakota, you’re never more than a short drive from where the story of agriculture begins. For many of us, especially those of my generation and older, the story is close to home, shaped by firsthand experience growing up on a family farm or ranch, visiting one or lending a hand.

Fresh off our national electric cooperative meeting, it’s no surprise data centers were a “charged-up topic,” just as they are at the national, state and local levels. This gathering brings electric cooperative leaders together from across the country to discuss and tackle the challenges of our ever-changing industry and inspire us to rise to meet the moment.

“Y’all have a lot to be proud of, not simply because you keep the lights on, but because you are the anchors of the very communities you serve.”

Education is the backbone of any successful society, nation or community.

We are fortunate in North Dakota to have a strong education system at all levels, which prepares students to enter the workforce, master a skilled trade, advance into college or begin an apprenticeship program. Beyond the classroom and the workforce, educators help nurture kids so they can succeed in adult life.

How a business or organization views education reflects on it, too.

In the upper Dakota, we are accustomed to rapidly changing weather conditions. It is in the double digits below zero one day and a balmy 45 degrees the next. A week’s time can bring extreme wind to no wind, freezing rain, snow and ice. Road conditions range from seasonally good to wet/slush, snow-covered, ice-covered to “no travel advised.”

Do North Dakotans like this crazy wintery mix? I would guess it might be a unanimous “heck no,” or maybe a “yeah, no” or a “no, yeah.” Ope.

The Christmas season evokes nostalgia, offering reminders and stories that connect generations. It invites reflection on years gone by, while sparking excitement and curiosity about what the future holds.

Tapping into this nostalgia, I find myself reflecting on the history and legacy shared by electric cooperatives, the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) and this magazine. It is a legacy of cooperation, rooted in a shared responsibility and unwavering commitment to serving members and telling the stories of the people and places we call home.

The electric industry has always been interesting to me. However, my kids, judging by the glazed expressions and sudden urges to exit when I start talking shop, think otherwise.

I hope one day, when they’re grown and pay their own electric bills, they’ll find their old man and electric cooperatives far more interesting. Or at the very least, they’ll understand how not to waste electricity.

Quick story.

I came home early from work one day after everyone had left for school. The house was empty, but lit up like Times Square. Lights were on everywhere.

It takes all of us. This theme echoes through this issue of North Dakota Living, with accounts of people coming together and stepping up for the betterment of our greater community. It’s a reoccurring virtue of rural people and rural places.

In this issue, you’ll meet teenagers who are balancing school commitments while volunteering as rural emergency responders. You’ll learn how our state helps its seniors. And you’ll meet a family who is giving back to their community, which supported them during one of life’s greatest challenges.