Neal Fisher, North Dakota Wheat Commission administrator, will receive the 2012 Agribusiness Award during the 39th annual Harvest Bowl program at NDSU. Harvest Bowl activities are scheduled for Oct. 26-27 in Fargo.
The award recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves in the field of agriculture and business in North Dakota and beyond.
Also honored will be outstanding agriculturists from all counties across North Dakota and several in western Minnesota. In addition, scholarships will be awarded to outstanding male and female NDSU athletes.
As Wheat Commission administrator, Fisher is responsible for implementing producer-funded programs intended to increase the total use of North Dakota wheat. Fisher works directly in the areas of export market development, research, transportation, trade policy and other issues to improve the global competitiveness of North Dakota producers who grow hard red spring, durum and other wheat classes.
Fisher’s work for the Wheat Commission is a worldwide effort through U.S. Wheat Associates and the cooperator programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service.
Fisher's presentations on spring wheat and durum include supply-and-demand analysis, and highlight economic and quality advantages of using hard red spring wheat, durum and other wheat in foreign and domestic customer applications. He coordinates the commission's policy positions and actions on issues affecting wheat producers and serves on numerous committees and boards involved in trade policy development and wheat research.
Fisher is a member of the Joint Trade Policy Committee of the National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates, Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and USDA in Washington, D.C.
He chairs the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute's Advisory Council and is a member of the NDSU Research Foundation board of directors. He previously served on the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, assisting with the prioritizing, budgeting and policymaking associated with the research projects and initiatives of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and NDSU Extension Service.
Fisher joined the commission in 1978 as a marketing specialist, became deputy administrator in 1983 and was appointed administrator in 1998. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in agricultural economics at NDSU.
He continues his interest in the family farming and ranching enterprise near Tappen, N.D., where his son, Josh, is the principal owner and operator. Fisher and his wife, Deborah, have three grown children and two grandchildren.
The 39th annual Harvest Bowl festivities begin Friday, Oct. 26, at the Fargo Ramada Plaza Suites with a dinner and awards ceremony. On Saturday, Oct. 27, honorees will participate in educational sessions on the NDSU campus and attend the Harvest Bowl football game.
For tickets and information on Harvest Bowl activities, visit the NDSU Alumni Association website at www.ndsualumni.com, call the NDSU alumni office toll-free at 800-279-8971 or locally at 701-231-6800, or e-mail marilyn@ndsualumni.com.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.