August 7, 2003

 

Jack Dahl 2003 NDSU Harvest Bowl Agribusiness Award Recipient

The 30th annual Harvest Bowl program at North Dakota State University will be held on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. John R. (Jack) Dahl, a Gackle N.D. cattle rancher, has been selected to receive the 2003 Agri-business Award.

Also honored will be outstanding agriculturists from across North Dakota and western Minnesota. Scholarships will be awarded to outstanding male and female NDSU athletes.

Dahl graduated from NDSU in 1951 with a bachelor of science degree in animal science. He began his career on his ranch in Gackle with 120 cows plus 150 share cows, all Herefords. From 1952 to 1954 he served in the United States Army. After his return he expanded his business, Dahl Land & Cattle Company, to the current herd of 700 cows that include purebred Salers, Red Angus, South Devon plus a commercial cowherd.

While building his business, Dahl was involved in many local and state organizations. He is past president of the Logan County Livestock Association, N.D. Beef Cattle Improvement Association, N.D. Stockmen’s Association and Northwest Farm Managers Association. He was a past board member of the N.D. Beef Council, N.D. Beef Commission and N.D. Hereford Association.

He has been a member of several organizations including the Board of Directors of Dakota Hospital in Fargo, Advisory Board for N.D. Vocational Agricultural Education, Advisory Board for the N.D. Extension Service, Advisory Board for the Central Grasslands Experiment Station, Advisory Board for the N.D. Game and Fish Department, Agricultural Council of the N.D. Chamber of Commerce, President’s Agricultural Club at NDSU and a Consultation Board Member.

Dahl originated the Gackle Livestock Show and served as Chairman from 1964 to 1974. He is a member of the Gackle American Legion and the Masonic Lodge and has served on the Emmanuel Lutheran Church council and the regional council.

Several national organizations have benefited from Dahl’s leadership. He served as President of the National Cattlemen’s Association. His leadership continued as Vice Chairman for the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and as Chairman for the National Cattlemen’s Foundation Industry Information Planning Committee.

Dahl was a member of the Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal Diseases to the Secretary of Agriculture, a member of the board for the National Livestock and Meat Board, a member of the Executive Committee for the National Livestock and Meat Board and Beef Industry Council, a member of the advertising sub-committee for the Beef Industry Council and Chairman of the Board for the Federal Agriculture Mortgage Corporation.

Dahl was active in livestock judging and was a judging coach for local 4-H and FFA judging teams. He has judged several county, state, regional and national events such as the National Western Stock Show where he judged the Hereford Carload Bull Show, the National Hereford Conferences, the North Dakota Winter Show; the Red River Valley Winter Show, the Northern International Livestock Exposition, several Hereford Field Days and the King Ranch Santa Gertrudis Field Day & Sale.

Recognized for his exemplary service, Dahl is the recipient of several awards. He and his wife, Dottie, were the 1973 Harvest Bowl Honorees for Logan County. He received the Soil Conservation Award, the Honorary Chapter Farmer – FFA, the North Dakota Veterinary Medical Association Appreciation Award in 1982, the International Livestock Brand Conference Appreciation Award in 1983, the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association Top Hand Award in 1987, the Governor’s Award for National Leadership of Excellence in 1988, the NDSU Alumni Achievement Award in 1989, the John Lee Coulter Agribusiness Achievement Award in 1991, the Society for Range Management Award in 1993 and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Appreciation Award in 1994. He was named North Dakota Hereford Promoter of the Year in 1975, North Dakota Cattleman of the Year in 1978 and North Dakota Man of the Year in 1980.

Jack married Dorothy (Dottie) in 1952. The Dahl Land & Cattle Company is a family partnership with Jack, Dottie, and their three sons: Dan, Jeff and John. Jack and Dottie also have a daughter, Margo, three grandsons, Samuel, Jordan and Nathan and one granddaughter, Brooke.

The Harvest Bowl festivities begin on Friday, Oct. 31 at the Fargo Holiday Inn with a dinner, ceremony, games and a dance. On Saturday, Nov. 1, honorees will participate in educational sessions on the campus of NDSU and attend the Harvest Bowl football game, which pits NDSU against the University of South Dakota.

For more information on Harvest Bowl activities, call the NDSU alumni office at 1-800-279-8971 or e-mail marilyn@ndsualumni.com.

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Source: Marilyn Doeden, (701) 231-6808, marilyn@ndsualumni.com
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu