Each year the Bloomquist Lecture series features a distinguished speaker from the world of cooperatives.
The lectureship is named for Al Bloomquist, who had a distinguished career at American Crystal Sugar Co. as president and longtime executive. The lecture series was established in recognition of his contributions to the company and the industry by American Crystal Sugar through the Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives.
Al Bloomquist is often referred to as "the father of the Red River Valley's farmer-owned cooperative sugar industry" and "the man who started it all." Born in Willmar, Minnesota, Bloomquist received his Bachelor's degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1943.
He began his career in the newspaper business, but left it for the sugarbeet industry in 1955 when he become Regional Manager for Western Beet Sugar Producers, the public relations arm of the beet sugar industry. He became Executive Secretary of the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association in 1961 when the sugar industry was thriving and growing in the Valley. By the late 1960s, the sugar industry was in decline. In the early 1970s, it was apparent American Crystal Sugar (ACS), then headquartered in Denver, was no longer interested in expanding in the Red River Valley. In 1972, Bloomquist, representing are growers, wrote to the President of American Crystal Sugar, offering to purchase the company. ACS agreed and in 1973, America's first beet sugar grower-owned cooperative was formed.
Bloomquist became the Vice President of Public Affairs and directed the company's local, regional, and national public affairs. He acted as the primary spokesperson for American Crystal Sugar and was nationally-known as an expert on the needs and goals of the U.S. sugar industry. Because of his reputation for integrity and being one of the most knowledgeable people in the country about the sugar industry, Bloomquist's counsel was often sought by congressmen, bureaucrats, and presidents. Bloomquist was the original publisher of the "Sugarbeet Grower" magazine, a nationally-recognized industry publication. In 1977, he received the highest honor of the sugar industry, the Dyer Memorial Award as "Sugar Man of the Year". At age 56, he was the youngest person ever to receive the award. He was elected President and CEO of ACS in 1990 and served until he retired in 1992. Mr. Bloomquist passed away in 2012.
Honoring a Cooperatives Leader
American Crystal Sugar has grown to be a cooperative that produces 16 percent of the country's sugar. The company is owned by approximately 2,900 shareholders and employs 2,000 men and women in the states of Minnesota and North Dakota. The company generates approximately $1 billion in sugar sales annually.
ACS has honored Al Bloomquist by sponsoring the Al Bloomquist Lecture Series. Each year, an individual committed to the cooperative movement has been asked to speak at the lecture series. Distinguished speakers have included John Johnson, former CEO of CHS, Inc., Randall Torgerson, Deputy Administrator for USDA/RBS Cooperative Services (1976-2003), Robert Bergland, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (1977-1980), and George Sinner, Governor of North Dakota (1986-1994).
2025 Bloomquist Series: David Kragnes
Watch David Kragnes present during the 31st Annual Aldrich C. Bloomquist Lecture Series.
Past Bloomquist Lectures
-
"An Exciting Time in Agriculture"
Beth Ford, president and chief executive officer of Land O’Lakes Inc., was the featured speaker at the 27th annual Aldrich C. Bloomquist Lectureship on March 28 at the North Dakota State University. Like the company she leads, Beth her career was built on a diverse and broad portfolio and a keen interest in innovation.
-
“A Discussion About the Future of Cooperatives”
Tom Halverson is president and chief executive officer of CoBank, a $129 billion bank based in Denver and one of the largest private providers of credit to the U.S. rural economy. As CEO, Mr. Halverson is responsible for implementing the bank’s strategic and business direction as set by the Board of Directors. Previously, he served as CoBank’s chief banking officer, with responsibility for all lending operations.
-
"Relevance of the Cooperative Business Model in a Millennial World"
Mr. Vern Dosch serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of National Information Solutions Cooperative, Inc. Mr. Dosch previously served as General Manager of National Information Solutions Cooperative, Inc. since January 1993. Mr. Dosch previously served as Business Manager of National Information Solutions Cooperative from 1986 to 1993. He served as General Manager of North Central Data Cooperative (NCDC) for seven years. His career at NCDC began in 1985 as Office Manager. From 1979 to 1985, he was employed with Basin Electric Cooperative in Bismarck, N.D., where he served as a Financial Analyst and a Leverage Lease Management Analyst. He began his career in the utility business in 1975 with a distribution cooperative in Bismarck. He serves as a Director at St. Alexius Medical Center, Inc. and National Information Solutions Cooperative, Inc. Mr. Dosch holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Masters in Management degree from the University of Mary, Bismarck.
-
President, National Farmers Union
"Staying Power for Rural America" -
CEO, AgriBank
"AgriBank: Serving Those Who Serve Rural America in These Volatile Times" -
Thompson Consulting & Co-Principal of Neighborhood Partners, LLC
"The Start of Cooperatives" -
CEO, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Association
"Using the Cooperative Business Model to Connect Rural Electric Cooperatives to Wall Street" -
CEO, CoBank
"Search for Leadership in a Post-Crisis Malaise" -
President & CEO, CHS, Inc.
"Leading Cooperatives to Global Success" -
President, North Dakota Farmers Union
"The 2007 Farm Bill Debate and Its Impact on Cooperatives" -
President & CEO, National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC)
"Providing Information Technology Services using the Cooperative Business Model" -
CEO & President, American Crystal Sugar Co.
"Changes and Challenges of the Sugar Beet Industry" -
Retired Deputy Administrator for Cooperative Services, USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service
"Turbulent Times: Reflections of the Role of Cooperatives in the Economic Organization of America" -
Member, University of Minnesota Board of Regents
"Cooperatives and Communities" -
Agribusinessman & Initiator of New Generation Co-ops
"Value Added - A Progress Report" -
Rural Development Director, North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives
"New Generation Cooperatives and the Future of Agriculture" -
Former North Dakota Governor & former Vice President of Government Relations, American Crystal Sugar Co.
"Why Farmers Won't Survive Unless They Become Food Merchants" -
CEO & Chairman of the Board of Directors, Doherty, Rumble, & Butler Law Firm
"The Cooperative Advantage - Myth or Reality?" -
COO, North American Bison Cooperative
"Gate to Plate: Procedures take Control of Industry" -
President, Freeh Enterprises
"World Trade and Market Globalization: The Other Parts of the Equation" -
President & CEO, American Crystal Sugar Co.
"Gazing into the Crystal Ball: Career Opportunities in the Food and Agriculture Industry in the 21st Century"