Highway 17 near Starkweather, North Dakota, with canola fields

Highway 17 near Starkweather, North Dakota, passes through agricultural fields, including bright yellow canola blooms, highlighting the state's farming economy.
Highway 17 near Starkweather, North Dakota, passes through agricultural fields, including bright yellow canola blooms, highlighting the state's farming economy.

Highway 17 runs north-south through Ramsey County in northeastern North Dakota, passing near the small community of Starkweather. The route cuts through land farmed primarily for wheat, canola, and soybeans, part of the broader Drift Prairie region shaped by glacial deposits. Canola became a significant rotation crop in North Dakota starting in the 1990s, and the state now leads the nation in canola production. Rural highways like this one remain the primary link for area farms to grain elevators and regional markets.

Photo taken in July 2015.

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