What was it like to cover one of the biggest events North Dakota has seen in years?

In this episode of Backstory, NDNC reporter Michael Standaert takes listeners behind the scenes of the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, including President Donald Trump's visit, the intense security, and the atmosphere throughout the community.

"I think Medora was a special place before for a lot of people, and I think it's accentuated." — Michael Standaert, NDNC reporter

Michael shares what it was like to report from the ground during three days of events, from watching the presidential motorcade and train arrival just yards away to talking with Medora residents about how the opening could shape the town's future.

He also discusses the realities of covering a major presidential event, spending long hours in the summer heat, navigating security checkpoints, and finding the stories beyond the headlines.

North Dakota hit the big leagues of agricultural innovation, but it's stayed quiet until now.

In this episode of The Backstory, Sabrina Halvorson talks with reporter Michael Standaert about how North Dakota quietly secured a position as one of the nation’s premier agricultural technology hubs through a massive federal initiative.

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Standaert discusses the National Science Foundation’s backing of the state's AgTech Engine, which brings up to $160 million in grant funding over a decade to accelerate precision agriculture and autonomous equipment. The conversation details how the engine serves as an advisory bridge for startups without taking intellectual property, relying on key local partnerships with NDSU Extension, Grand Farm, the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber, and the Fargo-Moorhead Economic Development Corporation.

“Ag tech has been kind of a buzzword for a long time, but they hope that something like this will really help things go forward a lot faster.” - Michael Standaert, North Dakota News Cooperative Reporter

Read the full article here.

In this episode of The Backstory, Sabrina Halvorson talks with Julie Garden-Robinson, NDSU Extension Food and Nutrition Specialist, about the programs helping North Dakotans learn more about food, movement and health at every age.

Garden-Robinson discusses Extension’s Field to Fork program, On the Move to Better Health, Nourish, youth health programs, and the work being done to update nutrition curriculum for students. She also explains how Extension reaches rural communities through county agents, online classes, statewide partnerships and resources available through the NDSU Extension website.

The conversation also touches on Garden-Robinson’s background as a food scientist and dietitian, her long-running Prairie Fare column, and the recipes and educational materials that help make food and nutrition information accessible to people across the state.

Read more on the topic here.