Larsons recognized at NDSU Harvest Bowl

The success, dedication and hard work of outstanding agriculturists in 53 counties in North Dakota and six counties in Minnesota were honored during the 49th annual Harvest Bowl program at North Dakota State University on Nov. 10.

The Eddy County honorees are Peter and Patti Jo Larson. They operate a grain farm and beef cow/calf ranch. They took ownership of the farm from Peter's parents 40 years ago.

They are proud contributors to the community and employ many local residents. Their home is a historically-kept farm house, built before statehood with a heritage style barn and outbuildings. Their ranch was one of the first to raise French Salers cattle in the United States.

They also raise a variety of grain crops and practice conservation farming and minimum tillage.

In 1988, Peter earned a bachelor's degree in animal science from NDSU. He was an Outstanding Young Farmer state finalist in 1995 and an Outstanding Farmer presented by New Rockford Jaycees, and he has won various outstanding yield recognitions from Pioneer weigh contests.

Peter spends countless hours volunteering in the community as well as participating on many local boards.

In addition to helping on the farm and ranch, Patti is a full-time community volunteer and entrepreneur. She is active with many organizations and participates on many local boards.

The Foster County honorees are Dennis and Mary Swanson. They farmed and ranched for 28 years, raising a variety of grain crops and livestock. Over the years, they raised sheep, hogs, beef and bison.

They implemented a minimum-till operation, growing diversified crops and utilizing non-crop land and crop residues for livestock grazing and feed.

Dennis was a founding member of the North American Bison Co-op, which sought to add value to bison meat with a rancher-owned processing plant. He received the Foster County Soil Conservation award and was runner-up for the North Dakota Bison Producer of the Year.

During Dennis' farming career he was active in several commodity organizations and served as President of the North Dakota Corn Growers Association and then Chairman of the North Dakota Corn Utilization council. Dennis also served as President of the North Dakota Buffalo Association.

Dennis retired from farming in 2002 and began working at Wholesale Ag Products in Carrington. Dennis worked as an area sales manager and seed specialist for 20 years and retired in 2021.

Dennis is co-chair of the Carrington Garden Club and president of the Kvernes Lutheran Church Council.

Mary earned a bachelor's degree in education from NDSU. She retired from Bremer Bank after 37 years. Currently, she is a substitute teacher in Carrington and New Rockford schools. She serves as the Kverna Lutheran church treasurer and Sunday school teacher, and is secretary of the Carrington Garden Club.

The Wells County honoress are Curtis and Sheila Wiesz. The Weisz farm grows small grains and row crops. Their family farm was an original homestead started by Sheila's family in 1884.

After the death of Sheila's father, they took over the operations full-time. Currently, they farm with both of their sons. Over the years, their farming practices changed with a transition to minimum- to no-till being implemented.

Curtis has been an ambulance member and EMT for over 20 years and is a member of the Bowdon Ambulance Service. He has been a director of Northern Plains Electric Cooperative for 21 years and currently serves as board vice chairman.

Curtis is a member of the CHI St. Alexius Health of Carrington Quality and Values Committee, and CHI St. Alexius Health West Region and Executive Committees of Carrington, Devils Lake, Dickinson and Williston hospitals.

Curtis has been a 4-H engineering judge for over 20 years at the Wells County Fair.

Sheila has been the administrative assistant for NDSU Extension/Wells County for 22 years.