Jack Dalrymple, former governor of North Dakota, was the 2017 NDSU Harvest Bowl Agribusiness Award Recipient. The award recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves in the field of agriculture and business in North Dakota and beyond.

Dalrymple grew up near Casselton, N.D., on the family farm, which was established in 1875 and was one of North Dakota’s first large-scale bonanza wheat farms. He graduated with honors from Yale University in 1970 and then returned to North Dakota to manage the farming operations.

In 1982, he was named Outstanding Young Farmer of North Dakota and went on to win the Outstanding Young Farmer of the U.S. award. Dalrymple’s service in the North Dakota Legislature began in 1985 after he was elected to represent a rural Cass County House district. He served eight terms, including six years as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

While serving in the Legislature, Dalrymple was responsible for the reorganization of the Agricultural Products Utilization Commission into a value-added grant program. He also initiated the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education as well as its innovative granting committees.

JACK DALRYMPLE

Dalrymple was the founding board chairman of Carrington-based Dakota Growers Pasta Co., now the third-largest manufacturer and marketer of dry pasta products in North America. His work in helping found the company as a farmer-owned cooperative earned him the 2007 Ernst and Young Midwest Master Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

In 2000, Dalrymple was elected North Dakota’s 35th lieutenant governor. He served 10 years with former Gov. John Hoeven. His responsibilities included the state budget, and he shepherded the funding and completion of the Agricultural Experiment Station Research Greenhouse Complex at NDSU.

Dalrymple was sworn in as the 32nd governor of North Dakota on Dec. 7, 2010, and served as the state’s chief executive officer until Dec. 15, 2016.

Today, Dalrymple continues to manage Dalrymple Farms.

Source: NDSU Extension Communications