Cramer Hosts HHS Secretary Kennedy in Bismarck for Regenerative Agriculture, Tribal Health Discussions

***Click here for media resources.*** BISMARCK, N.D. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) hosted U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., in the Bismarck area for a series of discussions on regenerative agriculture and healthcare access in tribal communities. U.S. Secretary of the Interior (DOI) Doug Burgum joined both the agricultural and tribal meetings, bringing two Cabinet officials to North Dakota. Cramer and Kennedy kicked off the visit with a roundtable at Black Leg Ranch in McKenzie, centered on regenerative agriculture. This holistic, principles-based approach to farming and land management uses alternative methods of restoring soil health, increasing biodiversity, and improving the water cycle. Black Leg Ranch is a leader in regenerative agriculture, managing its grasslands through planned rotational grazing that incorporates high animal impact over short periods, followed by extended recovery periods. The ranch also uses cover crops to enhance soil biology and support its no-till farming practices. It has been using regenerative agriculture practices even before the term became widely known, making it an ideal setting for the conversation. “We had a wonderful morning out at Black Leg Ranch and had a great discussion on regenerative agriculture,” said 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. But the really important thing today is less about us and more about the people that are participating in these events. 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. These conversations showcased North Dakota’s excellence and offered direct access to leaders in the administration.” The visit also included a roundtable on healthcare in North Dakota’s tribal communities. Cramer, Kennedy, Burgum, Indian Health Service (IHS) Director Mark Cruz, DOI Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Billy Kirkland, and tribal representatives participated in the discussion at United Tribes Technical College. Kennedy shared his lifelong commitment to improving healthcare services in tribal communities, describing how his passion was shaped by traveling with his father. He highlighted several of the agency’s accomplishments, including pledging $1 billion toward addressing the IHS facilities backlog. The investment is aimed at modernizing aging and deteriorating healthcare infrastructure across tribal communities. He also announced the expansion of the Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge to IHS facilities, an effort to increase access to healthier ingredients and whole foods that support patient recovery and overall health. The conversation provided tribal leaders with an opportunity to raise their priorities and discuss solutions with federal officials. Topics included the need for enhanced behavioral health services, economic growth, the construction and modernization of IHS healthcare facilities, and opportunities to partner with tribes on chronic disease prevention and other healthcare issues, including diabetes and substance abuse. “Tribal healthcare is something I think we’re all quite familiar with as leaders, but it’s also something that’s been a big challenge,” said Cramer. “When I think about Indian health in North Dakota, I think about ways to take everything we already have—the 638s, the IHS, the reimbursement process—and make it not just run better, let’s make it save more lives, on and off the reservations. In Standing Rock, for example, about half of its members don’t live on the reservation, so they’re consumers of healthcare services elsewhere. It’s complex, and it’s also inadequate in terms of accessibility. Thank you, Secretary Kennedy, for being here, for being so innovative, for leaning in, for speaking up when it’s sometimes hard to speak up, and for having the courage to speak truth to power in many cases. We’re just delighted that you’re here.”