Premier Pulse Event Enlightening Posted on 2/24/2010
Despite the severe weather conditions in North Dakota and Montana, a quality crowd of pulse producers and pulse industry representatives from across the Midwest convened in Minot, ND for the 17th Annual Northern Pulse Growers Association Convention, January 25th & 26th. The event was canceled on Monday due to weather conditions and convened on Tuesday with a rearranged agenda. Although attendance was down from previous years, the event still garnered a good attendance by pulse producers and industry representatives who had an opportunity to hear the latest in pulse production, marketing, research and the pulse breeding program. Featured speakers included Leon F. Osborne Jr., President/CEO of Meridian Environmental Tech., Inc., who gave a presentation on "Changing World, Changing Weather" (what a great year to get a little advise from a weather man) and Governor of North Dakota, John Hoeven who stopped by to greet the attendees.
Producers who handed in a completed research survey were entered into a drawing for a 32" flat screen T.V.; the lucky winner was Don Knox of Williston, ND. Congratulations!
The NPGA bestows Excellence and Service Awards to people who take pride and excellence in their work. The Excellence Awards are presented in three different categories: Producer, Industry and Researcher. The Producer Excellence Award was presented to Robert Ferebee, Halliday, ND; Industry Excellence Award was presented to Kevin Kvamme, Ross, ND and the Researcher Award was presented Chet Hill, Williston, ND. The Service Awards are given to growers who have served on the Council or Board and have contributed greatly to the NPGA or the NDDPLC; these awards were presented to Stan Myers, Raub, ND, who served on the NDDPLC for 9 years, Mark Kok, Plaza, ND, who served on the NPGA Board for 6 years and Jim Squires, Glendive, MT, who served on the NPGA Board for 3 years. Congratulations! Thank you for all your service and dedication throughout the years.
Board elections were also held during the annual business meeting. Kim Murray of Froid, MT (At Large) and Ryan Brooks of Bowman, ND (District VI) were elected to serve another three year term. Jerry Schillinger of Circle, MT (District III), Kristian Sorum of Flaxton, ND (District V) and Myron Blumhagen of Drake, ND (At Large) were elected to serve their first term as director on the NPGA board.
Officers of the NPGA board are Ryan Brooks, Bowman, ND, President; Mike Waters, Froid, MT, Vice-President; Beau Anderson, Williston, ND, Secretary; Steve Miner, Richland, MT, Treasurer. Additional members of the NPGA board include Mark Schmidt, Tioga, ND; Jerry Schillinger, Circle, MT, Brian Blessum, Rugby, ND; Kristian Sorum, Flaxton, ND; Kim Murray, Froid, MT; Myron Blumhagen, Drake, ND.
North Dakota and Montana, which are the two top pulse producing states in the United States, had a combined acreage of over 1,000,300 in pulse crops in 2009. The two states account for 85% of dry peas, 71% of lentils and 15% of chickpeas for the entire United States.
Phone: 701.222.0128
Fax: 701.222.6340
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Website: www.northernpulse.com
