NCI's mission is to support regional agriculture and value added processing by conducting educational and technical programs that expand and maintain domestic and international markets for northern grown crops.
Overview
Northern Crops Institute (NCI) started in 1979 as a collaborative effort among the states of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota to promote, develop, and market crops grown in this four state region. NCI is now an international meeting and learning center that unites customers, commodity traders, technical experts, and professors for discussion and education. Since 1983, over 133 nations have sent participants to NCI who are government representatives, private industry agriculture workers, or from other commodity utilization industries.
History of the Northern Crops Institute
“Discussions begin about the need for a facility to promote spring wheat and durum wheat.”
“Proposal for a Spring Grains Institute is presented and approved by the Agricultural Experiment Station Facilities Committee. Later that year, the concept fails to gain approval from the ND State Board of Higher Education. United States Durum Growers Association passes a resolution to support a Spring Grains Institute. This action sets in motion a chain of events that results in legislative action.”
“ND Senate Bill 2372 authorizes establishment of Northern Crops Institute. House Bill 1341 provides $1.5 million for construction and equipment. Official ground breaking is held on December 16.”
“Dr. Brendan Donnelly is hired as NCI’s first Director.”
“Construction of NCI is complete.”
“First ribbon-cutting ceremony is held on April 29th, attended by the first visiting trade delegation from Switzerland. ”
“Official ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place during the Harvest Bowl activities on October 22nd. ”
“The Northern Crops Council, NCI’s governing board, expands to 13 members when South Dakota and Montana begin to participate. ”
“NCI’s first course, Grain Procurement Management for Importers, is presented September 19th-30th. Nine people from Iraq, Oman, Yemen, and China participated. ”
“John Crabtree is hired as NCI’s first Assistant Director. ”
“NCI produces a promotional film with a matching grant from the MN Department of Agriculture. ”
“Orion Samuelson films his “U.S. Farm Report” in Fargo, highlighting NCI and NDSU. ”
“NCC reviews proposal for construction of a feed mill and durum mill. ”
“Feed mill building committee and steering committee are appointed. ”
“Fund-raising for feed mill and durum mill in full swing.”
“Agreement is signed to train Soviet millers, bakers, and pasta manufacturers. ”
“High temperature-high pressure extruder is installed and operational. ”
“Ground breaking ceremony for feed mill is held August 17th. ”
“Construction of durum mill begins. ”
“Feed Mill is dedicated during Harvest Bowl Weekend.”
“Durum Mill is dedicated during Harvest Bowl Weekend.”
“Congress approves USDA aquaculture project at NCI Feedmill.”
“NCI receives bids for feed mill classroom. ”
“Patent application process begins for NCI developed couscous.”
“Feed mill classroom is dedicated.”
“Director Donnelly takes a leave of absence from NCI to serve as interim Vice President for Agriculture and University Outreach. ”
“NCI’s administrative reporting line changes from Director of Agricultural Experiment Station to the Vice President for Agriculture and University Outreach. ”
“Discussions begin on construction of feed mill reception and office area.”
“Quality control laboratory is added to feed mill construction. ”
“Patricia Berglund, P.h.D., is hired as NCI’s second Director.”
“Bids let for the feed mill reception area and quality control lab.”
“Plans for construction of the Food Processing Pilot Plant are reviewed. ”
“NCI receives contract for AACC check sample analysis. ”
“NCC votes to transfer funds for the Food Processing Pilot Plant to the construction of NDSU’s Small Animal Research Center. ”
“NCI Auditorium is equipped with multimedia equipment and Internet access at all desks. ”
“Chinese Ambassador to USA visits NCI. ”
“Wheat Quality Council elects Berglund chair. ”
“NDSU lets bids for the Small Animal Research Center.”
“NCI produces new promotional video. ”
“NDSU dedicates the Animal Nutrition and Physiology Center. ”
“NCI establishes an Industry Advisory Board. ”
“20th Anniversary Celebration is celebrated on June 30th. ”
“NCI’s Main Floor is renovated.”
“Special Edition 20th Anniversary Publication is released. ”
“Strategic Planning and Action Planning completed. ”
“Electronic Data Collection System installed in pasta extruder. ”
“Buhler laboratory-scale mill donated to NCI by North Dakota State Mill.”
“Translation Booths remodeled. ”
“Construction of NCI grain processing laboratory approved. ”
“NCC membership increased through ND legislative action. ”
“Feed Production Center Vision Task Force initiated. ”
“Director Patricia Berglund retires. ”
“Brian Sorenson becomes 3rd Director of NCI in January.”
“Work begins on Durum Mill renovation.”
“Conversion of Durum Mill to a Dual-Purpose Mill was completed and a ribbon cutting celebration occurred on November 24th. ”
“New laboratory equipment includes: TA.XT2 Texture Analyzer, a two-deck Baking Oven by Hobart, a Ravioli and laminated-type Noodle pilot-scale Pasta Machine by Emiliomiti Komby, and an Oilseed Extractor by Gerhardt Soxtherm.”
“NCI hosts course participants, trade teams, and guests from 37 countries. ”
“Brian Sorenson resigns as NCI Director to join Dakota Specialty Milling. ”
“Mark Weber is named the 4th Director of NCI after a national search.”
“Auditorium and Conference Room are refurbished. ”
“NCI hosts participants, trade teams, and guests form 40 countries. ”
“NCI co-sponsors the “Better For You Food Ingredients Showcase” in China, with the North Dakota Trade Office and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.”
“NCI completed a major equipment upgrade at the NCI Feed Production Center. The upgrade includes the installation of a new mixer, a new automation system, and the facility’s first micro-ingredient system. Over 75% of the $800,000 project costs came from commodity groups and private industry donations.”
“A new NCI video debuted at the Feed Center Open House in August. ”
“The new NCI website was launched in November.”
“Lobby renovation is completed with two new offices, a large wall graphic, new furniture and digital signage. The Northern Crops Learning Center is a new feature that promotes the regional crops.”
“NCI’s Wenger TX-52 Twin-Screw Extruder is upgraded.”
“Mark Jirik hired as director. Jirik replaces Mark Weber, who retired from NCI in December, and served as director for six years.”
“After 34 years with the Northern Crops Institute, Assistant Director John Crabtree retired in June.”
“New NCI website launched in November.”
“RRV Ag Celebration takes place in July. ”
“Feed Mill undergoes renovation. ”
“NCI releases Full-Fat Soybean Meal Handbook.”
“NCI gets Armfield Vegetable Oil Deodorizer in May. ”
“NCI adapts to online learning due to COVID-19, releasing its first online course: Pasta Production & Technology.”
“NCI begins hosting it’s three new online webinars: Market Update, Future of Feeding, and Cereal Innovators series. ”
“NCI gets New American Stone Mill in January. ”
“NCI installs AV and Meeting Room upgrades with CARES Act Funding in February. ”
“NCI adds Premixer and Water Metering upgrades to its Pasta Press in April. ”
“NCI welcomes in-person participants back for the first time since the pandemic began with its hybrid course: Grain Industry Emerging Leader Program.”