State Grants Propel Cavendish Farms Expansion in Jamestown

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring announced today that the North Dakota Agriculture Development and Diversification Fund awarded $500,000 to Cavendish Farms for an expansion at its Jamestown facility. The funding will be used to invest in equipment to increase processing and production of potato products, expanding the plant capacity based in Stutsman County.

The ADD Fund provides targeted support for new or expanding value added agriculture businesses that demonstrate feasibility, job creation and measurable economic impact. The ADD Fund Committee approved the award during its quarterly meeting on Nov. 19 held in Jamestown, where committee members reviewed a slate of projects aimed at strengthening rural processing capacity across the state. For full award totals and application deadlines visit the North Dakota Department of Agriculture ADD Fund page.

For Stutsman County residents the award carries immediate and longer term significance. Increased processing capacity at Cavendish Farms can raise demand for locally grown potatoes, which supports area growers and the agricultural supply chain. Investment in modern equipment can also translate into higher throughput and potentially more stable season to season demand for locally produced crops. Those dynamics matter for farm revenue, local trucking and equipment services, and tax receipts that fund county services.

The award is also intended to foster job creation. Projects supported by the ADD Fund must demonstrate potential to create employment and economic activity. While specific employment numbers were not disclosed in the announcement, the focus on plant expansion and new processing lines signals potential hiring and contract opportunities in food processing, maintenance, and logistics in Jamestown.

From a policy perspective the grant underscores state efforts to promote value added agriculture as a strategy for rural economic growth. By subsidizing equipment and facility expansion, the fund aims to capture more of the value chain inside North Dakota rather than exporting raw commodities. For residents and local officials, the next steps will include monitoring permitting, construction timelines and hiring plans. More information on eligibility and upcoming application deadlines is available on the North Dakota Department of Agriculture ADD Fund page.