BISMARCK – Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has named J.P. “Dutch” Bialke as legal general counsel and policy advisor at the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA).
“Dutch has practiced extensively in public agricultural law and is very knowledgeable about our legal issues, programs and services,” Goehring said. “His regulatory background and legal expertise will be outstanding assets to the department.”
previously served on active duty as a judge advocate in the United States Air Force, retiring as a colonel in 2014. Since then, he has served the state as a North Dakota assistant attorney general, advising the NDDA, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, and North Dakota State Mill. Bialke also advised and represented numerous state agricultural boards, councils and commissions. Additionally, he successfully defended the state in numerous lawsuits in both state and federal court.
his new position at NDDA, Bialke will advise the Commissioner on legal issues and public policy, supervise various regulatory programs and enforcement, and oversee grant programs.