A silver anniversary.

It's an event that marks a milestone of dedication.

Tonight Ag. Reporter Sarah Gustin shows us how these past 25 years have been a time of growth for Pride of Dakota and the members they serve.

2010 marks Pride of Dakota's Silver Anniversary

(Sara Kelsch / Pride of Dakota) "Pride of Dakota started with less than 20 members in 1985. Currently we are at 420 members. I think a large part of why it has grown is due the membership itself." Sara Kelsch with Pride of Dakota says for the past 25 years the program's main focus has been helping clients with networking and marketing

But she says the benefit members enjoy most is getting to feature their unique products at the holiday showcases. (Sara Kelsch / Pride of Dakota) "I don't know how they come up with some of the ideas that they do, but it is great. It's fun to help them try to figure out how to market their product." Finding North Dakota products outside of the holiday showcases can be a challenge

The owner of Arrowhead Plaza Drug is trying to change that

(Sherry Furcht / Arrowhead Plaza Drug)"People are deamanding it. They are wanting different choices of Pride of dakota pordcuts. And I think the public likes to support the locals as far as the state of the economy goes and they like something a little bit different." Furcht says they have carried Pride of Dakota products for more than a decade, but this past year they're carrying even more

Now having shelves filled with hundreds of products from more than 40 different companies. (Sherry Furcht / Arrowhead Plaza Drug) "It's been a positive outcome for us. It has been a compliment to other products that we have but it's also become a destination place for people looking for Pride of Dakota products." Furcht says increasing the Dakota presence on shelves has increased store traffic throughout the year

Especially during the holidays

(Sherry Furcht / Arrowhead Plaza Drug) "At Christmas time, the food was huge. The final week of christmas our shelves were empty we were struggling to get a hold of any vendors that weren't already off for Christmas to get the shelves filled." Furcht says she is always looking for new products. She says soaps, lotions and candles could be her next additions

In Bismarck for KX News, I am Sarah Gustin.

The organization's next big event is Pride of Dakota Day at the Capitol on March 25.

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