Glacier Prairie Farm: The Evolution of the Red River Valley of the North

Glacial Lake Agassiz shaped the landscape and ecosystems of the Red River Valley of the North. Its influence played a role in history, providing a flat, fertile environment that later supported agriculture and settlement. This film traces the valley’s land use through time. From the melting glaciers to the tall grass prairies filled with roaming bison to early Indigenous land use for hunting and farming, the railroad’s arrival, and Euro-American settlement to how farmers use the land today. 

Dr. Angela Smith, Professor of History at NDSU, has spearheaded this project as part of her Digital History Class. The students conducted research, collaborated on the script, interviewed the narrators, and told the story of the valley from multiple perspectives.