AgTech
Agriculture industries continue to improve our region
AgTech
Economic Impact of AgTech Sector
Agriculture has been the backbone of the Greater Fargo-Moorhead regional economy since homesteaders started farming the land over 150 years ago. Since that time, our region’s strength in agriculture and innovation has spawned a multitude of agriculture technologies and global equipment companies dedicated to improving productivity, efficiency and life on the farm
Technology Breakthroughs
Early AgTech pioneers in North Dakota developed:
- Bobcat- the first skid steer loader
- Steiger-the first reliable high powered articulated four-wheel drive tractor
- Great Plains Software- innovative accounting package for agriculture (now the 3rd largest Microsoft campus here in Fargo)
Since these early technology breakthroughs, the region continues building on its innovative culture. Many companies have come together to create a regional hub for sharing ideas and entrepreneurship.
- Phoenix international acquired by John Deere Intelligent Solutions
- Appareo Systems acquired by AgCo
- Harvest Profit acquired by John Deere
An initiative led by Emerging Prairie that aims to capitalize on the region’s potential in the agriculture and technology industries. The goal of the Grand Farm initiative is to create a fully autonomous farm that will impact the Fargo-Moorhead Community and beyond by developing new opportunities and accelerating change.
With NDSU, a land-grant research university, playing a lead role in innovative ag research and a collaborative, work-hard heritage, the region continues to build on its cutting edge innovations to feed the world.
Recognized as an international leader in agriculture technology (AgTech), a groundbreaking coalition of five North Dakota entities was named as an award winner for up to $15 million over the next two years with potential to receive up to $160 million over ten years as part of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines program.
$28 million in infrastructure being built to enable drones across the state to fly Beyond the Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) of their pilots. This network would be the first of its kind anywhere in the world.
Industry Impact
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Jobs
AgTech industries in FM MSA
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Earnings (2021)
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Property Income (2021)
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Taxes
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Total GRP (2021)
Companies & Ecosystem Partners
Some of the biggest and strongest brands in ag equipment, technology, and manufacturing have been started or developed here.
Ecosystem overview
Our Partners
- Grand Farm
- Plug and Play
- NDSU
- NPUASTS
- Vantis
- NDSCS
Occupation Overview
Educational Completions
Education Pipeline in AgTech
Earnings
Educational Completions
Annual Job Openings in AgTech
Fargo-Moorhead’s labor market epitomizes the Midwestern work ethic. Local employers enjoy a stable base of employees with high productivity, low turnover and low absenteeism.
| SOC | Description | 2022 Jobs | Avg. Annual Openings | 2022 Hires | 2023 Hires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-3020 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | 277 | 27 | 85 | 87 |
| 15-1210 | Computer and Information Analysts | 279 | 50 | 113 | 150 |
| 15-1220 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | 14 | 6 | <10 | 17 |
| 15-1240 | Database and Network Administrators and Architects | 388 | 39 | 112 | 114 |
| 15-1250 | Software and Web Developers, Programmers, and Testers | 1,699 | 188 | 545 | 550 |
| 15-1290 | Miscellaneous Computer Occupations | 244 | 38 | 95 | 97 |
| 17-2020 | Agricultural Engineers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17-2060 | Computer Hardware Engineers | 101 | 15 | 25 | 26 |
| 17-2070 | Electrical and Electronics Engineers | 181 | 25 | 64 | 70 |
| 17-2140 | Mechanical Engineers | 203 | 19 | 64 | 68 |
| 19-1010 | Agricultural and Food Scientists | 223 | 35 | 140 | 143 |
| 19-4010 | Agricultural and Food Science Technicians | 133 | 27 | 86 | 85 |
| 41-4010 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing | 2,164 | 282 | 802 | 823 |
| 45-2010 | Agricultural Inspectors | <10 | 1 | <10 | <10 |
| 5,911 | 751 | 2,141 | 2,233 |
AgTech Earnings
Fargo-Moorhead’s labor market epitomizes the Midwestern work ethic. Local employers enjoy a stable base of employees with high productivity, low turnover and low absenteeism.
*Data Source: Lightcast
AgTech Industry Documents & Information
Education, Incentives and Information
There’s plenty talent to support your long-term success. From a strong K-12 pipeline to diverse classes that graduate plenty of talent.
The region also offers great incentives and capital resources to support our growing primary-sector businesses.
Ecosystem Overview
Vigilant Aerospace Systems
SkySkopes
Boson Motors
Testimonials
“It is a really neat environment, where folks with experience that want to help (along with) with new entrepreneurs trying to solve problems (that are) globally diverse; this is an area that is rich with transformational impact in agriculture.”
“The decision for Soiltech to choose Fargo as the hub for our Midwest operations was an easy one. There is a genuine enthusiasm to foster development and provide true support to growing companies in the Fargo Moorhead region. GFMEDC, The Grand Farm and Plug and Play did not just talk – they took real action. They warmly welcomed Soiltech, helped facilitate meaningful connections and made the process of developing a presence there truly seamless. We look forward to expanding our operations in the region and hope to help the agriculture industry with our technology.”
