Secretary Kennedy Takes MAHA to North Dakota to Advance Regenerative Agriculture and Strengthen Tribal and Rural Healthcare

WASHINGTON, D.C.-NOVEMBER 13, 2026-U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. joined Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven, Governor Kelly Armstrong, and Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak in North Dakota last week to advance President Trump's Make America Healthy Again agenda. During his "Take Back Your Health Tour," Secretary Kennedy met with farmers, ranchers, Tribal leaders, and healthcare providers to advance regenerative agriculture, address Tribal health priorities, and strengthen rural healthcare so families can access affordable, high-quality care close to home.

"America's farmers, ranchers, Tribal leaders, and rural healthcare providers know what their communities need. HHS must listen and act," said Secretary Kennedy. "In North Dakota, we focused on supporting the people who grow our food, strengthening care in Tribal communities, and helping rural families get care close to home. Under President Trump, we are putting federal resources to work for local solutions that help Make America Healthy Again."

"North Dakota is a great example of how responsible land stewardship, productive agriculture and healthy communities go hand in hand," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. "It's great to be back home to announce land management reforms and work with tribal leaders to improve healthcare and expand addiction recovery resources in Indian Country. Grateful to Secretary Kennedy and Senator Cramer for bringing people together to advance President Trump's vision for a healthier, more prosperous and more affordable America."

"We had a wonderful morning out at Black Leg Ranch and had a great discussion on regenerative agriculture," said Senator Cramer. "North Dakota farmers have been doing regenerative agriculture since before it had a name - which is why they are inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. It was also a good opportunity for North Dakota producers to demonstrate what they do best as the most responsible stewards of the land, highlighting the latest soil and human health research being conducted in our state."

"We appreciate Secretary Kennedy meeting with our healthcare and tribal leaders, as well as agriculture producers. This was an important opportunity to support North Dakota in strengthening our healthcare system, particularly in our rural and tribal communities," said Senator Hoeven. "We had productive discussions on our stakeholders' priorities, and we look forward to continuing to work together."

"We appreciate Secretary Kennedy coming to North Dakota to discuss ag practices that improve soil health and farmland productivity and profitability, which will strengthen America's food supply and support health in the long term," said Governor Armstrong. "As we explore ways to expand our program here in North Dakota, we look forward to working with our federal, state and local partners to promote the health and economic benefits to farmers, ranchers, sportsmen and all citizens."

"This was a historic day for North Dakota, with two members of the President's Cabinet joining us to hear directly from the people of our state," said Congresswoman Fedorchak. "Secretary Kennedy had the opportunity to hear firsthand about the innovative work happening across North Dakota, from regenerative agricultural practices at Black Leg Ranch to tribal healthcare priorities and the challenges facing our rural healthcare providers. I'm grateful to Secretary Kennedy for taking the time to listen to North Dakotans, and I look forward to building on these conversations to advance practical policy solutions in Washington."

On November 5, Secretary Kennedy joined Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Senator Kevin Cramer, Senator John Hoeven, Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak, Governor Kelly Armstrong, and farmers, ranchers, and researchers at Black Leg Ranch in McKenzie, North Dakota, for a roundtable on regenerative agriculture, nutrition, and the health of America's food supply. The Secretary emphasized that farmers are essential partners in the MAHA movement and discussed practical ways to improve soil health, reduce dependence on costly chemical inputs, strengthen farm profitability, and produce healthier food without disrupting America's food supply. The discussion also highlighted HHS' ARPA-H STREAM program, which is developing technologies such as robotics, laser-guided weed control, precision cultivation, and biological controls to give farmers effective alternatives to conventional chemicals in agriculture. Following the roundtable, Secretary Kennedy toured Black Leg Ranch's grasslands, where the Doan family uses holistic management practices to regenerate its grassland and cropland while raising grass-finished cattle and bison.

"Here at Black Leg Ranch, we use holistic management practices to regenerate our grasslands and cropland while raising grass-finished cattle and bison. We believe that work is an important part of producing healthy food and, ultimately, supporting human health. We're grateful to Secretary Kennedy and members of the North Dakota delegation for taking the time to visit the ranch, hear directly from farmers and ranchers, and discuss practical ways to improve soil health, reduce reliance on costly inputs, and keep farms productive." said Jerry Doan, CEO of Black Leg Ranch.

Secretary Kennedy continued his trip through North Dakota on November 5 with Secretary Burgum, Senator Cramer, Senator Hoeven, and Congresswoman Fedorchak as they connected with Indian Health Service (IHS) Director Mark Cruz and regional Tribal leaders at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck for a roundtable focused on improving health and healthcare in Tribal communities. Secretary Kennedy heard directly from leaders representing the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, Spirit Lake Nation, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians about their communities' health priorities and challenges. The discussion highlighted behavioral health and addiction treatment, culturally informed care, traditional healing, and HHS investments supporting prevention, treatment, and recovery, including $4.3 million provided to Tribal nations and organizations in North Dakota for behavioral health in fiscal year 2026. The roundtable reinforced HHS' commitment to working directly with Tribal leaders to strengthen healthcare delivery and support healthier, more resilient Tribal communities.

Later that day, Secretary Kennedy met with healthcare leaders in Bismarck for a roundtable on the Trump Administration's historic investments to strengthen rural healthcare. The discussion highlighted North Dakota's $198 million first-year award through the Rural Health Transformation Program, including investments to stabilize the rural healthcare workforce, expand preventive care and healthy eating initiatives, modernize rural ambulances, improve health data and technology, and bring services such as mobile mammography and telehealth closer to patients. Secretary Kennedy heard directly from nursing home and assisted living leaders about workforce and regulatory challenges and highlighted the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' $275 million Nurses for Nursing Homes program. The roundtable underscored HHS' commitment to giving rural providers the workforce, technology, flexibility, and resources they need to deliver high-quality healthcare close to home.

Together, the North Dakota stops underscored the Trump Administration's commitment to connecting the health of America's land, food, and communities - giving farmers more choices, working directly with Tribal leaders, and investing in a stronger rural healthcare system to Make America Healthy Again.