National Geographic editor Chris Johns has responded to Gov. Hoeven’s letter, in which Gov. Hoeven indicated the recent article on North Dakota didn’t give an accurate account of North Dakota life.

Read the entire Bismarck Tribune article, including Chris John’s letter of response, here.  ABC News is coming to Bismarck to interview Gov. Hoeven about the article and North Dakota life.  The interview will air tonight on ABC’s World News.

I gathered from the Tribune article that National Geographic wasn’t trying to profile the entire state.  They did capture some excellent scenes, but left out the fact that life still thrives here on the upper prairies.  It’s just different now than what the first settlers here expected it to be.

For information on North Dakota’s major industries and areas of growth, see Gov. Hoeven’s six pillars of growth.  The state commerce department has also identivied five industries that serve as our state’s economic base.  Agriculture is still number one, but it’s not just about farming anymore.  It’s about value-added products like pastas, breads, soup mixes, jams and jellies, sausages, etc.  Learn more about value-added agriculture and other top industries at the commerce department’s web site.