NDSU Agribusiness Award Recipient - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Over the course of 39 years, North Dakota State University has recognized more than 2,000 agriculturists.This year's agribusiness award winner is a man who's dedicated himself to North Dakota's amber waves of grain.

Ag Reporter Sarah Gustin introduces you to Neal Fisher.

34 years--more than 1/2 of Neal Fisher's life has been dedicated to these kernels.

(Neal Fisher / NDWC Administrator) "1978 I think was the official start up date."

Neal Fisher is the Administrator of the North Dakota Wheat Commission and this year's NDSU Agribusiness Award Winner.

The award recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves in North Dakota's agriculture industry.

(Neal Fisher / NDWC Administrator) "I was surprised frankly, but deeply humbled and honored to be associated with that past list of participants. It's a very distinguished list of individuals that have contributed to North Dakota agriculture. Many of my heroes are on that list."

More than 1/2 the time you won't find Neal in the office.

His job keeps in him on the road--instate, out of state and overseas--anywhere but here.

(Neal Fisher / NDWC Administrator) "I have been involved in trade team efforts, trade policy and in other efforts in foreign count ires, some of them extended, some of them rather short. But, upwards of 80 different countries. A couple trips a year, over 30 years of course adds up pretty quickly."

Fisher says he's most proud of the relationships established with government officials in Washington and foreign countries as well as the accomplishments made in the trade policy arena.

(Neal Fisher / NDWC Administrator) "When I started here, we thought if we could ever get to 25 million bushels in sales of HRSW to Japan, it would be probably about as good as we would ever do. And as you know over time, we have hit various other benchmarks and now it's a 55-60 million bushel market ever year, so the expectations have been met and exceeded so many times, those are things that are really fun and really memorable."

Fisher says he's enjoyed and taken pride in working for the producers of the plains.

He thanks the farmers of North Dakota and research efforts of NDSU for much of his success.

(Neal Fisher / NDWC Administrator) "I think what maybe I am proudest of in this wheat business is the fact that the wheats in this region and particularly in North Dakota, continue to differentiate themselves from the rest of the pack."

Fisher will be recognized at the NDSU Harvest Bowl banquet, October 26th in Fargo.