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July 18, 2002 New NCI Industry Advisory Board Draws Food Industry Leaders
Fargo, ND - Twenty-three national and regional agricultural companies are represented on the new Industry Advisory Board (IAB), formed by Northern Crops Institute (NCI), Fargo, ND. The IAB will provide a sounding board for the regional food and feed processing industry, as well as provide input to NCI for educational programs and advanced technology. The board is co-chaired by David Berg, vice president of agriculture at American Crystal Sugar, Moorhead, MN, and Jennifer Tesch, marketing manager at SK Food International, Fargo, ND. NCI Director Dr. Patricia Berglund said, "As members of the agricultural processing sector, the IAB will provide input about advances and current technology in the industry." At its first meeting on July 9, the board members became familiar with NCI's mission, toured the NCI facilities, and gathered in focus groups to discuss industry challenges. "We will use this input and advice to build stronger educational and technical programs that solidify and increase the world market share for the agricultural producers of our four-state region," Berglund concluded. At its first meeting on July 9, the board members became familiar with NCI's mission, toured the NCI facilities, and gathered in focus groups to discuss industry challenges. "We will use this input and advice to build stronger educational and technical programs that solidify and increase the world market share for the agricultural producers of our four-state region," Berglund concluded. After the board's first meeting, Curt Stern, field manager for Northern Sun/ADM, Enderlin, ND, said, "It is obvious to see why the NCI has been key in the promotion of technical and marketing assistance for northern grown crops. Companies and/or countries interested in receiving unbiased first hand knowledge have such a vehicle in NCI. Assuredly, as agriculture moves forward in the 21st century, the role of NCI will become even more important as 'neutral' provider of information." "General Mills uses northern crops in a number of its products," according to Ray Lottie, manager of cereal & eastern grain operations for General Mills, Minneapolis. "For example, our Buffalo (NY) flour mill produces bakers' flour from Minnesota- and North Dakota-grown hard red spring wheat," Lottie said. "My involvement in the NCI should help strengthen the communication link between consumers and producers, providing benefits all along the chain. I look forward to my role in this collaboration," he said. Lottie holds two positions at NCI-as an elected member of the Northern Crops Council, NCI's governing board, and as a member of the IAB. Other members of the IAB are: Darwin Britzman, International Nutrition Consulting; Rodney Christianson, SD Soybean Processors; Ron DeJongh, AGP; Joel Dick, Roman Meal Milling; Mark Dillon, Golden Growers Coop.; Carrol Duerr, Earthwise Processors; Wayne Fetting, Top Taste, Inc.; Randy Garvert, Conagra Flour Milling Co.; Gordon Gingras, Gold'n Plump Poultry, Inc.; Dave Holland, Busch Agricultural Resources; Brad Kjar, Hunter Grain Company; Robert Majkrzak, Red River Commodities; Bruce Moe, Cenex Land O'Lakes; Carl Schoenfelder, Conte Luna; Mel Schulz, Pasta Montana; Mark Stutrud, Summit Brewing; Vance Taylor, ND Mill & Elevator; Ken Ulbrich, Bay State Milling; Kimberly Vachal, Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute. NCI is funded by state appropriations from Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, and commodity check-off funding in these three states and Montana. The international meeting center supports regional agriculture and value-added processing by conducting educational and technical programs that expand and maintain domestic and international markets for northern-grown crops. NCI serves as a resource center for international and domestic buyers, trade teams, and processors seeking technical information on northern-grown crops.

NCI Director Dr. Patricia Berglund said, "As members of the agricultural processing sector, the IAB will provide input about advances and current technology in the industry."

At its first meeting on July 9, the board members became familiar with NCI's mission, toured the NCI facilities, and gathered in focus groups to discuss industry challenges. "We will use this input and advice to build stronger educational and technical programs that solidify and increase the world market share for the agricultural producers of our four-state region," Berglund concluded. At its first meeting on July 9, the board members became familiar with NCI's mission, toured the NCI facilities, and gathered in focus groups to discuss industry challenges. "We will use this input and advice to build stronger educational and technical programs that solidify and increase the world market share for the agricultural producers of our four-state region," Berglund concluded.

After the board's first meeting, Curt Stern, field manager for Northern Sun/ADM, Enderlin, ND, said, "It is obvious to see why the NCI has been key in the promotion of technical and marketing assistance for northern grown crops. Companies and/or countries interested in receiving unbiased first hand knowledge have such a vehicle in NCI. Assuredly, as agriculture moves forward in the 21st century, the role of NCI will become even more important as 'neutral' provider of information."

"General Mills uses northern crops in a number of its products," according to Ray Lottie, manager of cereal & eastern grain operations for General Mills, Minneapolis. "For example, our Buffalo (NY) flour mill produces bakers' flour from Minnesota- and North Dakota-grown hard red spring wheat," Lottie said. "My involvement in the NCI should help strengthen the communication link between consumers and producers, providing benefits all along the chain. I look forward to my role in this collaboration," he said. Lottie holds two positions at NCI-as an elected member of the Northern Crops Council, NCI's governing board, and as a member of the IAB.

Other members of the IAB are: Darwin Britzman, International Nutrition Consulting; Rodney Christianson, SD Soybean Processors; Ron DeJongh, AGP; Joel Dick, Roman Meal Milling; Mark Dillon, Golden Growers Coop.; Carrol Duerr, Earthwise Processors; Wayne Fetting, Top Taste, Inc.; Randy Garvert, Conagra Flour Milling Co.; Gordon Gingras, Gold'n Plump Poultry, Inc.; Dave Holland, Busch Agricultural Resources; Brad Kjar, Hunter Grain Company; Robert Majkrzak, Red River Commodities; Bruce Moe, Cenex Land O'Lakes; Carl Schoenfelder, Conte Luna; Mel Schulz, Pasta Montana; Mark Stutrud, Summit Brewing; Vance Taylor, ND Mill & Elevator; Ken Ulbrich, Bay State Milling; Kimberly Vachal, Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute.

NCI is funded by state appropriations from Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, and commodity check-off funding in these three states and Montana. The international meeting center supports regional agriculture and value-added processing by conducting educational and technical programs that expand and maintain domestic and international markets for northern-grown crops. NCI serves as a resource center for international and domestic buyers, trade teams, and processors seeking technical information on northern-grown crops.