While regulatory and industry initiatives have improved winter readiness, many regions of the country are once again at elevated risk of electricity supply shortfalls in the event of extreme weather, the North American Reliability Corporation (NERC) states in its 2024-25 Winter Reliability Assessment released Nov. 14.
During his second trip to North Dakota in two months, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden announced a $200,000 grant award to the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) rural development center. The funding, provided through the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program, will be used by the center to provide technical assistance to cooperatives and mutually owned businesses in rural North Dakota.
Thousands of acres and North Dakota producers have been affected by October’s wildfires.
“It’s hard to imagine what producers are going through right now,” says N.D. Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) President Randy Schmitt, a cow-calf producer from Rugby.
And in the absence of substantial moisture, many fear the threat of additional fires, he says.
As first responders across the state stand ready to respond to wildfire emergencies, others are sharing resources and offering aid.
Three sisters – Annie (Sproule) Gorder, Mollie (Sproule) Ficocello and Grace (Sproule) Lunski – are on a mission to revolutionize how people think about pasta. Their company, 3 Farm Daughters, offers a healthier and nutrient-packed line of pasta with only two ingredients – wheat flour and semolina – made from the crops grown on the Sproule family farm near Grand Forks. Read their story on here.
The latest move in a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) plan to change the way it processes and delivers mail is taking aim at the frequency of pickups and deliveries for rural customers, a change that could hurt the ability of electric cooperatives to communicate with their members.
The proposed changes would intensify pressure on co-ops, which have already faced sharp postage rate increases in recent years that have raised costs to send their magazines, electric bills and other mail to members.
Roughrider Electric Cooperative members Mike and Sara Steier balance a busy work schedule with family life. Mike, a journeyman co-op lineworker, and Sara, a kindergarten teacher, are raising three wonderful kids – and feeding them, too!
They share favorite family recipes, including a crunchy, creamy, comforting zucchini casserole. This recipe was given to the Steiers from Sara’s aunt, Tami Ballard. The Steiers typically have an abundance of zucchini during garden season.
“It was the only thing we could keep alive!” Mike remembers of their first garden.
In election years, North Dakota Living offers its platform as the state’s largest circulated publication to familiarize voters with the candidates seeking statewide office.
North Dakota Living posed two questions to candidates in select statewide races, including U.S. senator, representative in Congress, governor and lieutenant governor, and public service commissioner. Their responses are published here through page 31.
With schools back in session this month, families will adjust to a new school year routine. Meal planning can be daunting, and it’s not always possible to sit down at the dinner table to eat together. Find helpful tips to feed your family and save time in the kitchen from NDSU Extension here.
Plus, let us help! These sheet-pan meals are easy and quick to prepare. They also feature loads of veggies. What better way to incorporate all the garden produce readily available in North Dakota this time of year?
