BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The state Agriculture Department is holding two public listening sessions this month on specialty crops.
One is Wednesday in Casselton and the second is April 22 in Bismarck. That session will summarize regional sessions held in Dickinson, Minot, Grafton and Casselton.
The state Agriculture Department is using federal grant money to hold the sessions. It also has used the grant money to expand its Local Foods Initiative, which promotes the production, marketing and consumption of locally grown foods.
Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says his department is interested in what local producers have to say about the challenges and successes they've had. He says the input will help direct the development of future local foods programs.