GRAND FORKS, N.D.-The Top Producer Seminar annually features the Top Producer of the Year award. This year, Gregg Halverson of Black Gold Farms, a 20,000-acre potato operation based in Grand Forks, N.D., won the prestigious honor. Other outstanding producers who were finalists for the award were: Tim Richter, Randall Richter and Jackson Dohlman of Saratoga Partners, Lime Springs, Iowa; and Mike Stamp of Stamp Farms, Decatur, Mich.
The Top Producer of the Year Award identifies and honors agricultural producers from whom other producers can learn business concepts, ranging from value-added ventures to succession plans to overcoming adversity. Gregg's three children, who are a part of the business, nominated him for this honor. The award looks at entrepreneurial originality, financial and business progress and industry and community leadership.
The 2012 Top Producer Seminar shattered records for both attendance and sponsorship. The three-day event attracted 877 of the nation's largest producers, representing a total of 4.3 million acres from 25 states and two Canadian provinces. Total attendance for the event was over 1,200 when including speakers, representatives of the 28 event sponsors and Farm Journal Media staff.