VIDEO: STAND Docuseries Introduction
I’m Kayla Ver Helst, sustainability officer at the Bank of North Dakota. Growing up with a father who was a coal miner and grandparents who were lifelong farmers, I learned the value of our land, water and skies. Over the years, I’ve worked on initiatives with people who are committed to meeting energy and food independence for our state and our nation, while fiercely protecting our environment.
Their entrepreneurial spirit in finding realistic solutions is extraordinary. And they’re not afraid to collaborate across diverse viewpoints to achieve results. North Dakota is rich in natural resources, from fertile soil and abundant wind to extensive reserves of lignite, oil and gas. Our grasslands and crop lands are effective in biological carbon capture and sequestration. While our geology is well suited for carbon utilization and storage.
These assets position North Dakota as a leader in affordable, efficient, and reliable energy and food production, and it’s essential that we share our story. North Dakota has a history of facing external market and political pressures. In 1919, the state established Bank of North Dakota to combat unfair loan practices and grain prices that disadvantaged farmers. Today, it remains the only state-owned bank in the United States, uniquely blending the functions of a financial institution and a government agency.
Partnering with the majority of North Dakota’s financial institutions, the bank plays a pivotal role in stabilizing the state’s economy, especially after crises and severe weather events. During the 2023 North Dakota Legislative Assembly, Bank of North Dakota was tasked with analyzing complex trends, laws, and policies impacting our businesses and industries. In partnership with elected officials, state government, private industry, and associations, a strategy was developed to address external market and political pressures of the 21st century. From the cross-sector partnership, the initiative STAND – sustain, transform and authenticate North Dakota – emerged. STAND is a platform to share authentic stories of sustainability, innovation and transformation. Visit STAND.ND.GOV to stay updated and subscribe to our docuseries to hear from the people making a real difference in North Dakota’s energy, agriculture, conservation and carbon management efforts.