The mcintire-stennis capacity program at ndsu supports research to develop and manage woody plant resources adapted to the northern great plains and north dakota rangelands

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded North Dakota State University $331,974 under the Cooperative Forestry Research program (CFDA 10.202) on October 1, 2025, to identify, propagate, and evaluate tree and shrub species for adaptation to the Northern Great Plains and North Dakota rangelands. Research will assess winter hardiness, pest resistance, drought tolerance, and performance on alkaline and saline soils under desiccating wind regimes, with complementary work addressing woody plant encroachment management to sustain rangeland productivity and ecosystem function. Expected deliverables include superior woody varieties and science-based management practices for shelterbelts, windbreaks, wildlife habitat, and large-scale erosion control plantings. Work will be performed in Fargo, North Dakota, with a period of performance from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. The program aims to strengthen ecosystem services supporting cattle production and ranching communities by increasing landscape-level biodiversity and improving forage quality and native species diversity, reducing monoculture-associated risks and enhancing resilience to pests and diseases. Primary beneficiaries are landowners, soil conservation professionals, consultants, cattle producers, and industry partners.

We will identify, propagate, and evaluate tree and shrub species for winter hardiness, pest resistance, drought tolerance, and performance on alkaline and saline soils under desiccating wind regimes. Complementary work will address woody plant encroachment and its management to sustain rangeland productivity and ecosystem function. Expected outcomes include the release of superior woody varieties and science based management practices that enhance shelterbelts and windbreaks, wildlife habitat, and large scale plantings for erosion control. The program will also improve forage quality and native species diversity, strengthening ecosystem services that support the cattle industry and ranching communities. By increasing landscape level biodiversity, these efforts reduce risks associated with monocultures and improve resilience to pests and diseases. Primary beneficiaries include landowners, soil conservation professionals, consultants, cattle producers, and industry partners who rely on resilient woody resources tailored to the region's challenging climate and soils