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N.D. (AP) — The farm group challenging the constitutionality of North Dakota’s ban on corporate farming and the state official charged with defending the law both are objecting to an environmental group’s request to join in.

The Dakota Resource Council wants to help defend the law that aims to protect the state’s family farming heritage. The nonprofit group works to protect rural areas and the land and says it has an interest in the case.

The North Dakota Farm Bureau sued in June to have the law declared unconstitutional. It classifies DRC’s stance as irrelevant and wants the court to reject the group’s request.

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem also has objected to DRC involvement in the case, though he says he’s OK with the group submitting its position in a legal brief.