Cooperatives

North Dakota Living has been named the 2025 George W. Haggard Memorial Journalism Award winner by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). The national award recognizes the top statewide magazine in the electric cooperative network for overall quality and for supporting the national objectives of electric co-ops.

This is North Dakota Living’s 13th Haggard Award and the first for Cally Peterson, who has been editor since 2019.

When you walk into Velva Fresh Foods, it feels like a small-town hug. You’re greeted by smiling staff and good smells – bread baking, meat smoking or whatever homemade lunch owner Brenda McCasson is whipping up that day.

McCasson and her husband, Matt, bought the grocery store in 2019 from former state legislator Shawn Vedaa, who first hired Brenda as a meat cutter in 2016.

“(Shawn) said, ‘Well, you’re basically doing everything anyway. Why don’t you just buy it?’” Brenda recalls.

Sara Vollmer is living out her dream.

“You can’t not love the ranch,” she says.

The Leonard native met her husband, Troy Vollmer, while both were obtaining animal science degrees at North Dakota State University (NDSU).

“We both had the same advisor,” Sara recalls. “(The advisor) told Troy, ‘I’ve been to Wing, Troy. You best find a wife before you leave Fargo.”

Troy, it turns out, was a good student.

North Dakota Living was once again amazed by the photo entries for the second annual photo contest! There were 600 entries, double last year’s amount.

From North Dakota skies to North Dakota people and more, the photos captured North Dakota in all its beauty. The judges remarked how difficult it was to choose the winners.

Thank you to everyone who participated, and congratulations to the winners of the 2026 North Dakota Living Photo Contest!

Both tariffs and electricity have been in the news a lot this year.

The president’s “America First” trade policies have led to new and increased tariffs on specific imports and entire countries.

Meanwhile, U.S. electric demand has soared to the highest levels seen in two decades.

This year, the United States has used tariffs in unprecedented ways.

In an effort to incentivize producers and consumers to manufacture and buy products in the United States – among other goals related to political negotiations and curbing the drug trade – the United States has implemented sweeping tariffs around the globe. Some target entire countries instead of specific commodities, from as low as 10% to as high as 50%.
What’s the point of tariffs? How are North Dakotans affected?

As Christmas lights twinkle across the North Dakota landscape, the state’s electric cooperatives are radiating holiday cheer in their local communities.

Electric cooperatives adhere to seven cooperative principles, including concern for community, year-round. But as the holidays approach, cooperatives collaborate with their members to bring a brighter Christmas to those who may otherwise do without.

 
Wrapped in warmth

A bear hunt. Jiu-jitsu. Hitting the gym. Simply opting for a few extra steps at work instead of sitting or standing. These are all ways electric cooperative employees have incorporated movement into their lives.

But they’re not doing it for the health benefits alone.

It’s the International Year of Cooperatives!

This is only the second time the international declaration has been made by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. The first was in 2012.

The yearlong celebration seeks to promote cooperatives and raise awareness of their contributions to overall social and economic development.