The 37th annual Harvest Bowl program at North Dakota State University will be held Oct. 22-23.

Gregg Halverson, businessman and farm owner, will receive the 2010 Agribusiness Award. This award recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves in the field of agriculture and business in North Dakota and beyond.

Also honored will be outstanding agriculturists from across North Dakota and western Minnesota, and scholarships will be awarded to outstanding male and female NDSU athletes.

Halverson is president and chief executive officer of Black Gold Farms, a family owned potato growing and marketing organization with headquarters in Grand Forks. Black Gold specializes in potato production with 11 production locations spread from North Dakota to Texas in the Midwest and Florida to Maryland on the Eastern Seaboard. Black Gold grows approximately 17,000 acres of potatoes, plus various other crops. Black Gold is the world’s largest producer of fresh-crop chipping potatoes.

He graduated from Midway High School near Forest River in 1967 and received a degree in agriculture from NDSU in 1971.

Halverson has served in leadership capacities with many professional and civic organizations. He, along with his associates, has been the recipient of many industry awards. Black Gold has been recognized globally for supplier innovation and leadership. In 2002, Black Gold introduced a system of growing, bulk handling and transporting chip potatoes in Inner Mongolia, which is part of the People’s Republic of China.

Black Gold recently received the Environmental Stewardship award from the National Potato Council in recognition of the systematic approach Black Gold employs in potato production and sustainability. In 2009, the World Potato Congress in Christchurch, New Zealand, presented Halverson with the Industry Award in recognition and appreciation of his lifetime contribution to the potato industry. He is chairman of the board of the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association.

Halverson has two sons in the Black Gold organization. John, of Paragould, Ariz., is an operations vice president responsible for Midwest production. Eric, of Grand Forks, is vice president of technology, which puts him in charge of equipment and advanced technology. Gregg Halvorson’s daughter, Leah, also has spent her share of time on the potato farm. After receiving her MBA, she became an account manager at an advertising agency. Halverson has six granddaughters.

“Gregg’s business successes are rooted in knowing the value of building partnerships and being on the forefront of industry innovations,” says Eddie Bernhardson, Harvest Bowl Committee chair.

Several scholarships also are awarded to outstanding male and female athletes during the Harvest Bowl program.

The 37th annual Harvest Bowl festivities begin Friday, Oct. 22, at the Fargo Ramada Plaza and Suites with a dinner and awards ceremony. On Saturday, honorees will participate in educational sessions on the NDSU campus and attend the Harvest Bowl football game.

For tickets and information on Harvest Bowl activities, visit the NDSU Alumni Association website at http://www.ndsualumni.com/, call the NDSU alumni office toll-free at (800) 279-8971 or locally at (701) 231-6800, or e-mail marilyn@ndsualumni.com.

NDSU Agriculture Communication