BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring is cautioning North Dakota farmers about the possibility of people impersonating state employees in order to take photos and samples of grain.
Goehring says his office has had calls from farmers about people supposedly acting in an official capacity and taking photos and samples of wheat fields.
He says no state government agency or North Dakota State University has authorized any such work. And he says anyone working for the state should be able to provide proper credentials and the reason for their visit.
Goehring encourages farmers who encounter suspicious activity to alert the authorities.
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission chairperson Kristie Fiegen says they have not received any reports of individuals impersonating state employees in an attempt to photograph or sample grain. South Dakota PUC grain warehouse inspectors carry photo identification that verifies their role on behalf of the PUC when inspecting PUC licensed facilities. Facility operators are encouraged to ask for identification if they are in doubt of an inspector’s identity.