Fargo, North Dakota
December 21, 2007
The new director of the
Northern Crops Institute
in Fargo will be no stranger to the center's role in this
region's agriculture.
Brian Sorenson, who will take over as head of NCI on Jan. 1, had
been its technical director for the last six years. He also has
been a North Dakota State University Extension Service wheat
quality specialist since 2000.
The Northern Crops Institute is a collaborative effort among
North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana to promote and
market the crops grown in this region. The center, which is on
the NDSU campus, brings together customers, commodity traders,
technical experts and processors from across the U.S. and
throughout the world to learn about northern-grown crops.
"I am extremely excited to be selected as the new NCI director
and I look forward to working with our partners in industry to
promote the crops from our region," Sorenson says.
"NCI has played a key role in the success of northern Great
Plains agriculture,"
says Laird Larson of Clark, S.D., chair of the Northern Crops
Council. The council works with NDSU to oversee NCI. "The
Northern Crops Council is excited about the leadership Brian
will provide as we all find new and innovative strategies to
enhance uses and markets for our products."
Sorenson replaces Patricia Berglund, who retired in early
December.
"Brian is well-known and respected by industry leaders
throughout the region, the nation and the world," says D.C.
Coston, NDSU's vice president for Agriculture and University
Extension. "We look forward to the new directions NCI will take
in conjunction with many partners, including NDSU's outstanding
faculty and staff, in enhancing the economy of this region."
Sorenson has more than 18 years of experience in food product
and process development and is an expert in the quality and
utilization of U.S. durum and hard red spring wheat, and pasta
production and quality.
Prior to joining NCI, he served as research project manager for
Purina Mills Inc. in St. Louis, Mo., and processing consultant
for Format International Ltd., also in St. Louis.
As NCI's technical director, he has led its technical team;
overseen its pilot- scale and analytical laboratories; and
provided information on northern-grown crops through educational
and informational seminars for buyers, processors and government
officials at NCI and in more than 20 countries in Europe, Asia,
North Africa, and Central and South America. He also is chair of
the national Wheat Quality Council.
Sorenson earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from
Mayville State University and a master of science degree in
cereal chemistry from NDSU.
"I am excited about what NCI will accomplish under Brian's
leadership," says Jennifer Tesch, marketing director for SK Food
International Inc., Fargo; past chair of the Northern Crops
Council; and chair of the search committee to find Berglund's
replacement. "Our company, along with many other companies and
producers, will continue to benefit from the outstanding work of
NCI." |
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