David M. Saxowsky, a professor of agriculture at North Dakota State University, said that the debate speaks to a culture in North Dakota that places a heavy value on farmland. In an emailed statement, he said, “It’s good that this will be decided by the people of North Dakota.” In 2012, North Dakota became the first state to enshrine the “right to farm” in its Constitution. Advertisement Continue reading the main storyThe North Dakota Farmers Union, which opposed the bill, responded by gathering more than 20,000 signatures to force the measure onto the statewide ballot. “I think the values of North Dakota are going to be given up and slowly erode.”PhotoBut those who support the ballot measure say that opponents are acting out of nostalgia and emotion.

Source: New York Times June 12, 2016 23:51 UTC