Michael Uetz, co-founder of Midan Marketing, Chicago, Illinois, was recently named the 2025 North Dakota State University (NDSU) College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.

The award celebrates outstanding NDSU alumni, showcasing their achievements and contributions in agriculture to students, faculty and the university community.

Uetz earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from NDSU in 1982 and a master’s degree in food marketing from Cornell University in 1985.

He currently leads Midan Marketing, a full-service agency dedicated to helping meat producers, processors and retailers develop effective business and marketing plans. Midan’s clients include Tyson Foods, Creekstone Farms, 4 Diamond Ranch, STX Beef, the National Pork Registry, Thomas Food International, King Ranch Institute, Uruguay Instituto Nacional de Carnes, HyLife Premium Pork, Texas Beef Council, Meat and Livestock Australia, Birchwood Foods, the American Lamb Board, American Meat Science Association, U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and others.

He has spent his career working with meat industry leaders to understand changing consumer behavior at the meat case and to develop solutions that capitalize on shifts in the marketplace. He has conducted extensive consumer research on major meat industry issues, including nutrition labeling, packaging, branding and nomenclature. A strong advocate for the value of meat, his work has strengthened the industry and supported animal agriculture worldwide.

As a proud graduate of NDSU he established the Michael Uetz Agriculture Scholarship Endowment to support students pursuing a degree in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources.

“Our students, faculty, and alumni continuously advance the field through research, education, and service that strengthen communities and shape the future of agriculture,” says Greg Lardy, Joe and Norma Peltier vice president for agriculture at NDSU. “Michael’s leadership, passion, and dedication to the future of agriculture make him deserving of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award.”

To learn more about Uetz’s journey from NDSU to Midan Marketing, visit https://bit.ly/AlumniUetz.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – May 9, 2025

Source: Carrie Hammer, 701-231-8790, carrie.hammer@ndsu.edu

Editor: Kelli Anderson, 701-231-6136, kelli.c.anderson@ndsu.edu