Friend of the Farmer Award Recipients
2021
Brad Brummond
Brad Brummond is a North Dakota State University Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Walsh County, North Dakota.
Brummond joined NDSU Extension in 1982. Throughout his career, he has helped producers improve their crop production. That includes working to improve soil health, control weeds and identify new pesticide-resistant weeds, and providing training in the proper use of pesticides to keep farmers and the public safe. In addition, he has become an expert in organic crops and sustainable agriculture.
Brad has been a member of NPSAS since the early 1990s and has served NPSAS as President, Past President, Vice President, and Secretary. He has also served as the Program Committee Chair for the annual conference for his many years on the board.
Brad began his journey in sustainable agriculture in 1988 when he hosted a successful organic conference in Steele, North Dakota. He went on to become the organic contact for NDSU Extension, a position that he held for over 20 years. He also served as chair of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Organic Advisory Council and served through both as democratic and republican commissioner of agriculture.
Brad served two terms on the North Central SARE Administrative Council and served as chair and past chair during his tenure. He focused on youth and native nations during his last term on the council.
Brad led efforts to build bridges between the organic community, NDSU, and conventional agriculture. His goal was to give sustainable agriculture a seat at the table when important issues like transgenic organisms were discussed.
Brad was the first North Dakotan selected to the Hall of Fame of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents in 2019. In a letter of recommendation for that award, Theresa Podoll of Prairie Road Organic Seed and NPSAS member and former executive director, wrote, “Brad’s career has been one of weaving together the resources of the for-profit, nonprofit, governmental, research and educational sectors to meet the evolving needs of agriculture. Early in his career, recognizing an underserved constituency, Brad worked hard to study the needs of sustainable and organic farmers by immersing himself in the few support organizations they had. He didn’t just visit their farms to understand their production systems, issues, questions, research, and marketing needs; he immersed himself. He saw the work that needed to be done, how he could serve as an Extension educator, and he stepped forward; no task was too small or too great. Our farm and organic farms throughout the state and region have greatly benefitted from his knowledge, networking, and support.”
He was made an NCR-SARE HERO for his lasting impacts on sustainable agriculture in 2016. He was awarded the NPSAS Friend of the Farmer Award in 2002.
Brad and his wife Susan live in Park River, North Dakota, and are the proud parents of Jordan, Andrew, and Gretchen Brummond.
In recognition of his longtime support and advocacy for organic farmers, Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society presents Brad Brummond his second NPSAS Friend of the Farmer Award, this time for 2021.
2020
Roger TeSlaa
2019
Ray Juhl, Natural Way Mill
2018
Cathy Scheibe
The 2018 Friend of the Farmer award was presented to Cathy Scheibe, LaMoure, N.D. Cathy was chosen for her continued support and commitment to the organization. She can often be found promoting the work and mission of NPSAS to friends and colleagues in the LaMoure community and beyond. She generously provides the grounds and building in LaMoure where the local weekly farmer’s market is held. And for the past several years, Toy Farmer auctions off a toy tractor with proceeds donated to the NPSAS general operating fund. She proudly sponsors the youth T-shirts provided at the annual Winter Conference. Cathy’s history began as a city girl, born in St. Paul and later grew up in Moorhead. She doesn’t have to reach too far back in her family to connect with her farming roots. Her dad’s family pioneered in the Le Sueur, Minn. area before moving to St. Paul and her mom’s family was among the earliest settlers in the Red River Valley. When she was very young she spent a lot of time on the family market garden farm, picking strawberries as her very first job. In the summer of 1960, she did something she thought she would never do, she married a farmer, Claire Scheibe, from LaMoure, ND. They had three children in four years—and she finished college at UND Ellendale branch with a degree in history and English. She taught school briefly in LaMoure until they had their fourth child. She stayed home until all of the children were in school and then substitute taught for over 20 years. During this time she helped on the farm with her husband and his parents where they raised small grains and beef cattle. When the children were little they milked two Brown Swiss cows, raised a large garden, had a few chickens, and for one brief time a small herd of sheep. Together she and Claire started a collector’s newsletter 40 years ago that eventually grew to be a large international magazine for farm toy collectors, called Toy Farmer. Through the years they have supported local farm youth groups such as FFA and 4-H by creating a memorial scholarship in Claire’s name. For 15 years the scholarship has awarded $5,000 per year to people pursuing careers in agriculture, or careers that will benefit an agricultural community. NPSAS member and past Executive Director, Theresa Podoll, was one of the recipients of this scholarship when she was pursuing her advanced degree from ISU. Cathy can’t recall exactly when she first became interested in organic/sustainable/enduring agriculture. She knew David Podoll from church but for many years David was very quiet about his involvement. She often visited a cousin in Germany who would always quote things like, “It’s not easy being green.” Her cousin was into recycling, shopping at local markets and living a sustainable life which planted the seed and helped to inspire her. When their youngest son Matt went to college in Fargo and majored in landscape architecture, he chose the Moorhead family farm to be his fifth year project that would be the start of Probstfield Farm Living History Foundation. Along with family members and one of Matt’s advisors, the foundation was started and she became a permanent member of the board. She personally purchased the 30+ acre Old Trail Market property and soon after donated the real estate to the non-profit PLHF Trust to greatly enhance the education mission and agricultural use of the property by the organization. She was the driving force for creating the Probstfield Farm Sunday Supper, a Farm-to-Table fundraiser which continues with her support. One of their earliest board presidents was Gretchen Harvey who started the Organic Community Gardens at Probstfield Farm. It was about this time that Cathy became very involved with NPSAS, attributing it to what she was learning from the Probstfield project and because of the friends she was making in LaMoure. Cathy commented, “It is my belief that sustainable agriculture is forward looking and the only way we will be able to ensure physical and economic health for all those who currently live in this world and for those who will come after us.”
2017
Dr. Jonathan Lundgren
Northern Plains Sustainable Ag is pleased to congratulate this year’s Friend of the Farmer winner, Dr. Jonathan Lundgren from Estelline, S.D. Jonathan is an award-winning scientist in the fields of agroecology and risk assessment and has strong ties with the scientific community, policy makers and regulators, and numerous farmers, ranchers and beekeepers from around the world. His research focuses on assessing the ecological risk of pest management strategies and developing long-term solutions for sustainable food systems. He believes we can grow food and conserve the environment. He is also founder and CEO of Blue Dasher Farm, where research, education and demonstration converge to support the regeneration of agriculture. The credibility of Blue Dasher relies heavily on their ability to show that they can support their family and the families of their farm staff entirely from farm-generated revenues. They raise livestock, grow crops and tend bee hives. Their livelihood depends upon their success. They would like to take the wind out of the argument “that may work on a research farm, but not at my place.” The Lundgren’s will gladly compare their profitability to other, more conventional operations. Farmers are more likely to listen to messages from someone that can demonstrate an ability to successfully implement these sustainable practices. “We can grow food AND conserve the environment. That is our vision.” Blue Dasher Farm is well-situated for investigating the practices and farming systems that are adapted to the northern plains and upper Midwest. Over the next several years, they will expand their Deuel county South Dakota farm from 50 acres up to a few hundred acres. Simultaneously, they hope to establish a network of research, education and demonstration farms throughout the country that will promote their mission while accounting for geographical variations and circumstances.2016
Dr. Chiwon Lee
This year’s Friend of the Farmer award goes to Dr. Chiwon Lee, professor of horticulture in the Department of Plant Sciences at NDSU. Dr. Lee grew up on a small farm in Korea, where he developed a strong interest in plants and horticulture. He then went on to receive his BS degree in horticulture from Kon-Kuk University in Seoul, and his MS and Ph.D. degrees in plant genetics and breeding from Purdue University. Dr. Lee then taught at the University of Arizona and Colorado State University before joining NDSU in 1991. Currently, he teaches horticulture science, plant propagation, and greenhouse production and management, while doing research on vegetable culture and greenhouse crop production. Dr. Lee has been an integral part of Northern Plains Sustainable Agricultural Society’s vegetable research efforts for the last three years, conducting much needed research to determine what vegetable varieties truly perform in real farm settings. He has used NDSU research facilities to assist the mission of the FBC, and has taken a lead with testing which varieties have a preferred taste and texture. In addition, he sought to find which varieties of beans, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, onions, peppers and tomatoes had the highest percentage of salable product (it does no good to produce tons of product if none of it is salable!). Dr. Lee also has an energetic teaching ability that has been an asset to NPSAS as we have looked to him to lead FBC workshops, from vegetable research techniques to teaching participants how to make crosses with plants. Beyond his recent work with FBC, Dr. Lee has been a greenhouse crop extension specialist, has assisted growers with questions about vegetable and ornamental production and marketing in the Northern Plains region, and has conducted research and outreach concerning plant grafting, tomato breeding, ornamental crop breeding, crop breeding for dry areas, crop nutrition and physiology, and many more related topics. NPSAS awarded Dr. Lee the Friend of the Farmer award based on the dedication he brought to providing our membership with useful and practical information they can immediately apply to their garden production. We are very excited to have a university partner like Dr. Lee, and are honored to work with him, his staff, and his graduate students.2015
Karri Stroh
Northern Plains Sustainable Ag is pleased to announce the 2015 Friend of the Farmer as Karri Stroh of Tappen, N.D. Nominees for this award must be current NPSAS members who support our farmer/rancher members through dedicated work in enhancing the sustainability of our agricultural, food and distribution systems in the Northern Plains. This Friend of the Farmer has been known to wear a variety of hats. She has been involved in many aspects of building and strengthening our lives, from being an organic inspector, an Executive Director of various organizations including NPSAS, serving on numerous boards, to a farmer, mother, foster parent, community leader and caretaker. Karri strives to be a team player in every situation she is involved in. She delves into projects, whether big or small, and sees it finished through to the end. Karri, along with her husband, Bryan, and children live on a diversified organic farm near Tappen, N.D. They raise spring wheat, rye, oats, millet, flax, alfalfa and cover crops. In addition to the crops, they raise a fall and winter beef calving herd, poultry and do farmers market vegetable production. Both Bryan and Karri’s roots run deep as generational organic farmers where the passion about healthy soil, healthy seed and healthy food were passed down. Karri left NPSAS to help her care for her family, but remains involved with the organization. Karri has often said that one of her greatest joys is helping prepare the next generation of organic farmers. She has stated that as a farmer and steward of the land, the best crops we can plant are the seeds of opportunity for young farmers.2014
Hugh & Carmen Dufner
Hugh’s Gardens History by Hugh Dufner
I began growing conventional carrots and other vegetable crops at Buxton, N.D. in 1987 with the help of my brother Don Dufner and a retired neighbor, Malcolm Tweten, founder and principal owner of Nokota Packers, a potato wash plant at Buxton. We planted about 20 acres of carrots that year, mostly of the Nantes type because the variety is sweet and the carrot’s roots are short, facilitating mechanical harvest in our heavy loam soils of the Red River Valley. After harvesting the carrots in fall of 1987, we learned that Nokota Packer’s potato washing equipment did not lend itself to washing carrots. Malcolm then purchased two carrot washers and some packaging scales which we set up in a potato shed on Malcolm’s farm. With the help of Malcolm’s teen-aged boys, we spent the winter washing and packing carrots, most of which we sold to the Hornbachers stores in Fargo-Moorhead, packed in clear plastic bags with a small paper label tucked inside each bag advertising “Hugh’s Gardens ‘Short and Sweet’ Carrots.” They were a success! Having obtained carrot production, washing and packing equipment, it seemed a shame to quit the business. Meanwhile, I had learned that there was a growing demand for organic carrots and other vegetables in the Twin Cities as well as on the East Coast. In 1988, Hugh’s Gardens became a certified organic operation and began growing organic carrots, onions and other vegetables on my brother Don’s organic farm. I quickly learned that without herbicides, organically grown carrots, onions and other vegetables compete poorly with aggressive weeds such as pigweed, kocia, mustard and pigeon grass; and there were no good mechanical control options to combat these weeds. We tried flaming, harrowing and rotary hoeing. We even tried using weeder geese. In the end, close cultivation and abundant hand labor were the best answer, but hand labor was costly! And the market? Well the Twin Cities buyers were committed to their current suppliers, and would not buy from me, a new-comer! Again I sold most of my carrots and other products to Hornbachers; but now in preprinted “Hugh’s Gardens” bags with organic labeling! I also began marketing my products to the East Coast! In 1989, I experimented with my first crop of organic potatoes. Potato production equipment was available, and traditional cultivation, harrowing and hilling equipment provided adequate weed control with only a minimum amount of hand labor. Potato bugs were a more serious challenge, but there were earth-friendly organic remedies that provided effective control and did not jeoprodize human health. We were able to produce a decent crop of organic potatoes, and a Twin Cities organic distributor began to buy my products. This was real progress! During the early 1990s, Hugh’s Gardens produced mostly lesser perishable crops including potatoes, carrots, onions, beets, parsnips, turnips and squash; all or which could be stored and marketed over a lengthy period of time. As years progressed, organic potatoes became a larger and larger percentage of product sales and sales in late spring became very significant. I soon learned that I could not effectively both meet late spring packing/shipping schedules as well as plant potatoes and other rotational crops. At that point, my brother and nephews began growing organic potatoes for me. There were further challenges. One year late blight destroyed their crop and I had almost nothing to pack. Another year, heavy rains drowned most of the potatoes in mid- June. At that point, I reacted quickly and began working with new growers near LaMoure, Sibley and Valley City. Diversifying production areas helped to reduce the risk of crop failure. In 1997 I married Carmen from Ecuador who, besides teaching Spanish at NDSU, helps me to organize my files, pay bills and manages our accounting program. Carmen continues to be an invaluable partner. Our current business focus is almost exclusively on organic potatoes. We work with three local growers: my nephew John who grows red potatoes at Buxton, N.D.; Larry Heitkamp who grows primarily russets at Sebeka, MN; and Don Vig of Valley City who grows primarily yellow potatoes. Several workers in the Halstad area help us to wash and pack the potatoes during the fall, winter and spring. We also market organic potatoes from a Manitoba farm when our supply from U.S. local growers is deficient or depleted. Our primary markets are in the Twin Cities, but when supplies are abundant we also ship to the East Coast. We continue to do local sales and direct deliveries to the Hornbacher stores, Concordia College, Sydney’s and other customers in the Fargo-Moorhead area including the newly formed Prairie Roots Cooperative. We are grateful to the growers, customers and workers who have stuck with us throughout the years; our life has been enriched by all of you. As we reach retirement age, our biggest fear is that there will be no one to take over this business when we retire, to carry on what we do. We hope to find some young man, woman or couple who will be interested in managing and possibly owning this business. If you are that person or couple or if you know of someone who might be interested in managing this business, please contact us. We became members of NPSAS around 1990 and truly appreciate the moral support provided to us by NPSAS and its members over the years. We really enjoy attending the annual NPSAS Winter Conference and feel very honored to have been chosen to receive the NPSAS 2014 “Friend of the Farmer” award. NPSAS is like an extended family to Carmen and I. Thanks NPSAS for all that you do!
I began growing conventional carrots and other vegetable crops at Buxton, N.D. in 1987 with the help of my brother Don Dufner and a retired neighbor, Malcolm Tweten, founder and principal owner of Nokota Packers, a potato wash plant at Buxton. We planted about 20 acres of carrots that year, mostly of the Nantes type because the variety is sweet and the carrot’s roots are short, facilitating mechanical harvest in our heavy loam soils of the Red River Valley. After harvesting the carrots in fall of 1987, we learned that Nokota Packer’s potato washing equipment did not lend itself to washing carrots. Malcolm then purchased two carrot washers and some packaging scales which we set up in a potato shed on Malcolm’s farm. With the help of Malcolm’s teen-aged boys, we spent the winter washing and packing carrots, most of which we sold to the Hornbachers stores in Fargo-Moorhead, packed in clear plastic bags with a small paper label tucked inside each bag advertising “Hugh’s Gardens ‘Short and Sweet’ Carrots.” They were a success! Having obtained carrot production, washing and packing equipment, it seemed a shame to quit the business. Meanwhile, I had learned that there was a growing demand for organic carrots and other vegetables in the Twin Cities as well as on the East Coast. In 1988, Hugh’s Gardens became a certified organic operation and began growing organic carrots, onions and other vegetables on my brother Don’s organic farm. I quickly learned that without herbicides, organically grown carrots, onions and other vegetables compete poorly with aggressive weeds such as pigweed, kocia, mustard and pigeon grass; and there were no good mechanical control options to combat these weeds. We tried flaming, harrowing and rotary hoeing. We even tried using weeder geese. In the end, close cultivation and abundant hand labor were the best answer, but hand labor was costly! And the market? Well the Twin Cities buyers were committed to their current suppliers, and would not buy from me, a new-comer! Again I sold most of my carrots and other products to Hornbachers; but now in preprinted “Hugh’s Gardens” bags with organic labeling! I also began marketing my products to the East Coast! In 1989, I experimented with my first crop of organic potatoes. Potato production equipment was available, and traditional cultivation, harrowing and hilling equipment provided adequate weed control with only a minimum amount of hand labor. Potato bugs were a more serious challenge, but there were earth-friendly organic remedies that provided effective control and did not jeoprodize human health. We were able to produce a decent crop of organic potatoes, and a Twin Cities organic distributor began to buy my products. This was real progress! During the early 1990s, Hugh’s Gardens produced mostly lesser perishable crops including potatoes, carrots, onions, beets, parsnips, turnips and squash; all or which could be stored and marketed over a lengthy period of time. As years progressed, organic potatoes became a larger and larger percentage of product sales and sales in late spring became very significant. I soon learned that I could not effectively both meet late spring packing/shipping schedules as well as plant potatoes and other rotational crops. At that point, my brother and nephews began growing organic potatoes for me. There were further challenges. One year late blight destroyed their crop and I had almost nothing to pack. Another year, heavy rains drowned most of the potatoes in mid- June. At that point, I reacted quickly and began working with new growers near LaMoure, Sibley and Valley City. Diversifying production areas helped to reduce the risk of crop failure. In 1997 I married Carmen from Ecuador who, besides teaching Spanish at NDSU, helps me to organize my files, pay bills and manages our accounting program. Carmen continues to be an invaluable partner. Our current business focus is almost exclusively on organic potatoes. We work with three local growers: my nephew John who grows red potatoes at Buxton, N.D.; Larry Heitkamp who grows primarily russets at Sebeka, MN; and Don Vig of Valley City who grows primarily yellow potatoes. Several workers in the Halstad area help us to wash and pack the potatoes during the fall, winter and spring. We also market organic potatoes from a Manitoba farm when our supply from U.S. local growers is deficient or depleted. Our primary markets are in the Twin Cities, but when supplies are abundant we also ship to the East Coast. We continue to do local sales and direct deliveries to the Hornbacher stores, Concordia College, Sydney’s and other customers in the Fargo-Moorhead area including the newly formed Prairie Roots Cooperative. We are grateful to the growers, customers and workers who have stuck with us throughout the years; our life has been enriched by all of you. As we reach retirement age, our biggest fear is that there will be no one to take over this business when we retire, to carry on what we do. We hope to find some young man, woman or couple who will be interested in managing and possibly owning this business. If you are that person or couple or if you know of someone who might be interested in managing this business, please contact us. We became members of NPSAS around 1990 and truly appreciate the moral support provided to us by NPSAS and its members over the years. We really enjoy attending the annual NPSAS Winter Conference and feel very honored to have been chosen to receive the NPSAS 2014 “Friend of the Farmer” award. NPSAS is like an extended family to Carmen and I. Thanks NPSAS for all that you do!
2013
Susan Long
Susan Long of Berlin, N.D. received the 2013 NPSAS “Friend of the Farmer” award. Susan has been employed by NPSAS for a little over 7 years. Karri Stroh, Executive Director of NPSAS and Charlie Johnson, Board President, presented the award. In announcing the award, Charlie Johnson pointed out that it could really be named the “Friend of Everyone” award. Mr. Johnson further stated, “Susan is someone whom I admire and respect. The reason there is a strong and viable NPSAS organization today is Susan.” Susan responded, “This was a huge surprise but an even greater honor. I am continually encouraged by the many wonderful people who form, shape and contribute to this organization. Being surrounded by people who firmly believe that they are leaving this earth a better place for future generations inspires me to do the same.” Susan reflected over the past years, “I have learned much and really grown to appreciate the organization and all they stand for. I have gained a greater sense of community. I have learned it is vital to know where our food comes from and how it is produced. I read labels. I try to make smarter food purchases. I garden with organic seeds and without chemicals. I’ve come to appreciate the importance of bees. I have a greater understanding that seed is the source of life and the first link in the food chain. Control over seed means control over our lives and our food. I believe it is important to reduce, reuse and recycle and to conserve water. It is vital to be a role model for our children so they grow up with awareness. I believe that we only have one earth and one chance to leave the world a better place than we found it.” Susan is grateful for her job and commented, “To be able to create is good for my soul and NPSAS allows me to be creative in so many ways, from laying out the 32-page quarterly newsletter, Summer Field Day and Winter Conference program brochures, to creating postcards, flyers and brochures as well as designing colorful and graphic-filled messages to share on Facebook. I am fortunate to work with a great team – Karri, Tesa and Jeanne, plus our Board of Directors and many committees.” Susan is married to Richard and they have 3 children, Adam and Johanna (17) and Jacob (in heaven). They farm and ranch near Berlin and raise crops, cattle, cats, horses and Dash, their Border Collie. Together they enjoy riding horse, cattle drives and trail rides, watching movies, gardening, cooking, laughing and spending time with friends and family. “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” – Theodore Roosevelt Susan is grateful to do meaningful and worthwhile work. She believes people’s everyday work lives are greatly enriched when they make progress at work that they find meaningful. The framed print she received had a line that read, “search for your purpose and do it as best you can.” That is advice we can all live by.
2012
Chuck Fleming
Chuck Fleming, through his work with the North Dakota Ag Department, has been a strong voice for organic agriculture in North Dakota. He has been part of the N.D. Agriculture Dept., managing the N.D. Organic Advisory Board since its inception. His support for organic agriculture has spanned the terms of two N.D. Commissioners of Agriculture. He has worked tirelessly with the Organic Advisory Board along with Brad Brummond as board chair, to ensure qualified people serve on the board, to help set agendas, and to be aware of needs within the community requiring action and support. In addition to his work on organic issues, Chuck also oversaw work on local foods, the Pride of Dakota program and specialty crops. He has helped lead the fight to secure funding for the Organic Advisory Committee in both departmental budgets and in the legislature itself. He has helped us fight bills that are blatantly anti-organic in nature and counterproductive for all of agriculture. He has also worked with NPSAS to sponsor and support the activities of the organization.
2011
Jim Stordahl
Jim Stordahl has been a long-time member of NPSAS and a familiar face at many NPSAS Winter Conferences, both as an attendee and a presenter. His name can often be seen attached to Germinator articles writing on a host of topics anywhere from eating healthier to managing manure! Jim has been a University of Minnesota Extension educator since 1996 where his interests include forages, grazing, general crop production, organic crop production and sustainable ag issues. He works extensively with organic and conventional producers in Minnesota and is knowledgeable about organic grain and livestock production, including organic dairy. He has a long-standing commitment to the sustainability of mainstream family farms. As an educator he brings a wealth of experience and a contagious enthusiasm for the ideals of sustainable living to his work and his volunteer efforts. He and his wife, Roxanne, live near McIntosh, Minnesota, where they raise organic crops, graze sheep and maintain a flock of chickens. Jim firmly believes it is the obligation of each generation to leave the world a better and healthier place for our future generations.2010
Steve Dahlberg
Steve Dahlberg was recently elected to the NPSAS Board of Directors at the 2010 winter conference. Coincidentally, Steve was awarded the NPSAS Friend of the Farmer award for 2010. He has been a popular presenter at several winter conference workshops speaking on local foods. He recently hosted Ag for Urbanites sessions in Moorhead, Minn. on behalf of NPSAS and he occasionally writes articles for the Germinator pertaining to local food. Steve grew up near Barnesville, Minn. and spent three years in Montana as a child, and lived for 11 years in east Texas as an adult. He currently resides with his family in Fargo. They have five kids. Their oldest daughter is 21 and has 2 boys of her own, ages 1 and 2. Their other daughter is 19 and a sophomore at Concordia College in Moorhead where she runs track and is currently the top triple jumper in the MIAC (note the humble tone with which he said that!). They also have triplet boys that are almost 12. They go to his wife’s school and do gymnastics, Taekwondo, and soccer. “They also have a bazillion hobbies like their old man!” Steve teaches science, natural resource management, and math plus runs the Extension program at White Earth Tribal and Community College in Mahnommen, Minn. Steve’s family has a 500-acre tree farm in northwest Minnesota that he and his dad manage. They grow a wide variety of fruit and nuts for their personal use. They also produce maple syrup and harvest a lot of wild fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms. Steve, along with his dad and brother, are all woodworkers, so they high grade their forest for the kinds of materials they need for their various projects and for building materials. They contract out the rest of the tree harvesting. Some of Steve’s hobbies include making knives, carving Swedish-style wooden spoons, making fishhooks and other tools from bone. He makes wine, mead, and beer and all kinds of other fermented products like pickles, sauerkraut, buttermilk, yogurt, rootbeer, ginger ale and other soft drinks. Steve also plays harmonica, guitar and a little bass. Steve comments, “I also have a lot of hobbies I get paid to do in my job. I’m a naturalist especially interested in wild edible plants, wildlife tracking, birds, and traditional (sometimes called survival) skills like firestarting, etc. Basically if it involves making good things to eat or drink (so I can eat and drink them), playing around with things that have sharp edges, music, or running around in the woods, I’m there!” When asked how he became interested in sustainable agriculture, Steve replied, “Because that’s how I was raised, I like traditional ways, I love food, and I prefer to spend my time doing something real.” His reasons for having a part in sustainable agriculture… “Because I like hanging around people that are weird enough to think it might be good for our grandkids to have food too.” As Steve becomes more aware of aspects of sustainability, what comes as a surprise in this field of information is that some things are so obvious that it takes a great education to miss it. Steve doesn’t remember how he found out about NPSAS, but he’s pretty sure he joined right after he moved back from Texas in mid-1990. Steve’s idea of being a member of NPSAS means supporting others with the common goal of making sure our grandkids can be self-reliant producers, not just dependent consumers. Steve will make a great addition to the Board!2009
Frank Kutka
Prior to coming to North Dakota, our NPSAS 2009 Friend of the Farmer worked at the Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth, Minnesota. At that time he held a Masters of Science in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University (1988), and a Bachelors of Science in Biology from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater (1984). He also had a small farm and established a wildflower seed and transplant business called Booming Native Plants. He worked on several Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) research and demonstration projects on his farm in Minnesota. He also worked with other farmers on small grain and corn breeding projects across the country. By 1999 his love of corn had evolved into his own large, on-farm corn nursery; he was what one might call a farmer breeder. He began publishing a newsletter on his passion called Corn Culture aimed “at anyone in North America who is maintaining or improving open pollinated populations…” The Minneapolis based Archibald Bush Foundation acknowledged this maverick’s vision and ability to bring about positive change by naming him a Bush Leadership Fellow, supporting him in his passion by enabling him to obtain a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding from Cornell University in 2005. Shortly after completing his doctorate, he had job opportunities in other places but chose to come to North Dakota, joining the staff at the Dickinson Research Extension Center in July 2005. His primary responsibility has been that of acting coordinator for the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program in North and South Dakota—the program that once supported his own on-farm research. This position involves project management, promotion of a wider discussion of sustainability in the Dakotas, dissemination of information about sustainable agriculture, programming for Extension and Vo-Ag educators, and promoting SARE grant programs for youth, students, farmers/ranchers and professional agriculture educators. He now bears the title of Sustainable Agriculture Specialist, Assistant Director of the Dickinson Station, as well as Doctor, and Corn Breeder. He remains a farmer- slash- plant breeder and has stated that the NPSAS Farm Breeders Club was one of the reasons he came to North Dakota. His participatory approach to research and plant breeding speaks of his humble, farmer-centric, empowering, and collaborative approach to his work of building more sustainable agro-ecosystems. A colleague states, “Frank has developed the ND-SD SARE youth grants program into one of the most successful in the nation. He has also made it a priority to work with native nations on sustainability initiatives. He has utilized his contacts and knowledge of resources as an active member of the NPSAS Program Committee helping to make the NPSAS conference a “must-attend” event. One of his farmer collaborators had this to say, “Very few people are both scientifically logical and creative visionaries who make new things happen; he is one of these. He has a generous appreciation of the human race, and a spiritual and moral commitment to make his time on earth count by creating opportunities for others. This sense of purpose, his integrity, and honesty are as admirable as I have seen.” We agree. Congratulations Frank!2008
Theresa Podoll
Theresa Podoll of Fullerton, N.D. was awarded the NPSAS Friend of the Farmer award for 2008 during this year’s Winter Conference. She has dedicated her life to see that the sustainable community becomes important in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and even the nation. She has worked tirelessly on issues facing organic and sustainable producers, processors and consumers. Some of these efforts have included local foods, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), Coexistence Working Group, Consumer Supported Agriculture, Farm Breeder Club, free access to clean genetics from state funded breeding programs, holding our land grant institutions accountable to their core mission of serving all the people of our state and many more than can be listed here. Needless to say she has had a huge impact on the lives of those who practice and believe in sustainable agriculture. Few people have accomplished more. Her efforts as the Executive Director made NPSAS a notable organization both in the state of North Dakota and across the nation. Theresa joined NPSAS in a time of transition and helped grow the organization from a small, close knit group of individuals to a large, influential organization. During this time NPSAS grew to be viewed as the voice of organic and sustainable agriculture in North Dakota. She has spent many hours of her time articulating the views of our membership to decision makers who were looking for input, did not understand or unfortunately really did not care. This award comes from a grateful organization and movement. Theresa has been nominated but this award also belongs to her husband Dan and family also. Without their support, her accomplishments would not have been possible.2007
Dr. Patrick Carr
Dr. Patrick Carr has been honored with NPSAS’s “Friend of the Farmer” award. Nominations come from the membership and are voted on by the NPSAS Board. The award is given to members who support producers through dedicated work in enhancing the sustainability of agricultural, food and distribution systems in the Northern Plains. Pat has had a strong interest in organic farming methods from graduate student days back in the early 1980s. He had the opportunity to work at the Rodale Research Institute (then Rodale Research Center) in the late 1980s, but chose instead to come to North Dakota with his wife, Pattie, and two boys (Michael and Daniel) and settle at Carrington, where he worked under the tutelage of John Gardner, Blaine Schatz, Steve Zwinger, and others on intercropping and new crop development. In 1992, Pat and family moved to Dickinson, where he assumed responsibilities as station agronomist at the research extension center, as well as taught crops and soils courses at Dickinson State University. He became involved in crop variety evaluations on organic farms with Duane Boehm, Dave Podoll, Steve Zwinger and many other NPSAS members. This experience convinced Pat that he needed to expand efforts several-fold to better respond to the needs of the organic farming community. With the support of Ken Grafton, director of the Agricultural Experiment Station at North Dakota State University, and Kris Ringwall, director of the Dickinson Research Extension Center, Pat has positioned the agronomy research program at the center to become the first in the state with a major focus on organic farming. A research specialist has been hired with a minimum 35% responsibility directed at organic farming, and Pat is working with others to finalize the organic certification of land at the center. Pat is sincerely humbled to be a recipient of the Friend of the Farmer award from NPSAS and what it represents. He hopes that the program which evolves at Dickinson will become known for its response to the needs of organic farmers and develops an international reputation for research excellence in organic farming.2006
Sharon Clancy
In recognition of her years of dedicated service to the sustainable agriculture community, Sharon Clancy was named the 2006 NPSAS Friend of the Farmer. On May 1, Sharon will continue that service for the next few months as NPSAS’s Interim Administrative Director. In agreeing to act as the organization’s Interim Administrative Director, Sharon will work on a part-time basis with Membership Director, Lynn Nelson and Administrative Assistant, Susan Long to staff the NPSAS LaMoure office. Sharon Clancy has worked in sustainable agriculture for more than 30 years and she is once again using her expertise to serve NPSAS. “I’m flattered to be asked to serve as the Interim Administrative Director,” Sharon states. “This is a very exciting time to be engaged in sustainable agriculture.” She sees the tremendous growth in organic markets bringing more and more respect to organic farming practices. The ND Agricultural Department, Extension Research, Farm and Ranch Business Management program and others are starting to recognize the value of organic practices. Sharon has also seen conventional farmers start to look to organic management practices for ways to reduce their inputs and the associated costs. Sharon brings a strong understanding of organic farming and ecology. She sees sustainable agriculture practices working with ecological systems rather than using inputs to manipulate the environment. Sharon explains, “Sustainable agriculture respects all living things – soil organisms and living creatures. They are all part of an ecological system and are necessary to keep the system in balance and functioning in a healthy way.” In addition to her sustainable agriculture background, Sharon has a long history with NPSAS. She served on the Board of Directors from 1993 through 1997. This was also a time of growth for the organization as it transitioned from a purely board-operated organization to having an executive director. When she left the board, the organization was strictly grant funded. Now, due to the leadership of the Board, Theresa Podoll and Lynn Nelson, more than half of the organization’s funding is generated through memberships. Sharon sees this as a very significant accomplishment and plans to continue to build on these efforts to establish sustainable funding for the organization. As the Interim Administrative Director, Sharon will continue the efforts of the board and the staff to build the organization. She will help the Board of Directors establish the leadership team and fill open positions with competent and passionate staff who will lead the organization into the future. She will support the staff and the Board of Directors with leadership training to strengthen the organization as a whole. Sharon will also work with the North Dakota State Agriculture Department to establish an Organic Advisory Board. Finally, Sharon wants to celebrate the growth of the organization and the many accomplishments of Theresa Podoll. Sharon will also continue to actively live out her commitment to sustainability. During her brief, three month retirement, she built a movable chicken cage for her New Hampshire Reds, which she is raising for meat and eggs.Sharon passed away in October 2012.