Jack Dalrymple 2017 Agribusiness Award Jack Dalrymple grew up near Casselton, on the family farm which was established in 1875 as North Dakota’s first large-scale wheat farm. He graduated with honors from Yale University in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in American Studies, and then returned to North Dakota to manage the farming operations. Jack and Betsy raised their four daughters in the house built by Oliver Dalrymple in 1880. In 1982, Jack Dalrymple was named Outstanding Young Farmer of North Dakota and went on to win Outstanding Young Farmer of the United States. The award is given to a young farmer who demonstrates successful operating results, commitment to conservation and community service. Dalrymple became active in the community, serving on the Casselton Jobs Development Commission and helping establish Share House, Inc., a Fargo residential treatment program for recovering alcoholics and drug dependents. His community involvement has included serving as chairman of the board for Prairie Public Television (now Prairie Public). Dalrymple also served as chair of the National Governors Association Natural Resources Committee, chairman of the North Dakota Trade Office and chairman of the Governor’s Commission on Education Improvement. 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 Extension and its innovative granting committees. A nationally recognized leader in value-added agriculture, Dalrymple was the founding board chairman of Carrington-based Dakota Growers Pasta Company, the third-largest manufacturer and marketer of dry pasta products in North America. His work in helping to found the company earned him the 2007 Ernst and Young Midwest “Master Entrepreneur of the Year” Award. Dalrymple also served on the Organizational Board of Directors of Golden Growers Cooperative, which co-owns a corn milling plant near Wahpeton. In 2000, Dalrymple was elected North Dakota’s 35th lieutenant governor, serving 10 years with former Gov. John Hoeven. Dalrymple brought to the governor’s office an outstanding record of experience in farming, business and legislative and executive leadership. His responsibilities included the state budget, and he shepherded the funding and completion of the Northern Plains Agricultural Research Center at North Dakota State University. 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. Dalrymple successfully worked to grow and diversify North Dakota’s economy and to create good jobs and economic opportunities for its citizens. Under his leadership, North Dakota was ranked the “best-run state in America.” Throughout his governorship, North Dakota residents benefited from low taxes, job growth, wage growth, population growth and historic investments in education and statewide public infrastructure improvements. These and other investments were accomplished while maintaining sound fiscal management in the state budget. During his years serving as governor, the state completed the Devils Lake water outlet, the NDSU STEM building, the North Dakota Heritage Center, the UND School of Medicine & Health Science, the construction of highways and bypasses throughout the state and especially in western North Dakota, and many other public infrastructure improvement projects. Today, Jack Dalrymple continues to manage Dalrymple Farms at Casselton and enjoys more free time for hunting, fishing and family. .