During the Prairie Grains Conference banquet held Dec. 13 in Grand Forks, N.D, a few awards were presented, including a Special Member Recognition certificate to 100-year-old Earl Mallinger of Oslo, Minn.

The Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers recognized Mallinger for his longtime involvement in wheat production and promotion. Mallinger still farms 1,000 tiled acres, raising wheat, soybeans and sugarbeets.

“I’ve raised 95 wheat crops,” he noted.

Mallinger recalled that his dad started raising sugarbeets in 1927 — and how this past growing season, he had his best crop yet, which yielded 29.5 tons at 18.14% sugar.

Mallinger also raised potatoes for decades, and sold seed potatoes in both Minnesota and North Dakota. He received the North American Potato Grower of the Year Award in 1992.

Mallinger has 60 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Two grandchildren attended the banquet with him — Evan and Melissa Montgomery of Manvel, N.D.