VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Dr. Kenneth Grafton and Russ Danielson have been chosen as the 2022 inductees into the North Dakota Agricultural Hall of Fame. The induction ceremonies will be held March 9th, at the North Dakota Winter Show Events Center in Valley City.
Dr. Grafton has had a significant impact on North Dakota agriculture, serving in multiple roles at NDSU, from the dry edible bean program to his leadership of NDSU Agriculture in the roles of Vice President for Agricultural Affairs, Director of the NDSU Agricultural Experiment Station and Dean of the College of Agriculture. The NDSU dry bean breeding program independently developed and released ten varieties under Grafton’s leadership.
Originally from Ohio, Dr. Grafton retired in June of 2020 after 40 years of service.
Russ Danielson served on the faculty of NDSU’s Animal Science Department for 44 years. He served as an academic advisor and mentor for hundreds of Animal Science students; and served for more than a quarter century as faculty advisor to the NDSU Saddle and Sirloin and Judging Clubs.
Danielson was instrumental in establishing the North Dakota Junior Beef Expo and officiated as a judge in state and national beef cattle shows in 26 states and four Canadian provinces. He consulted with Russell Bueling in developing the BueLingo breed and helped establish the BueLingo Beef Cattle Society.
A native of Valley City, ND, Danielson retired in 2010.
The North Dakota Agricultural Hall of Fame was established by the 1997 North Dakota legislature to provide a way to honor men and women who have made significant contributions to the state’s leading industry, agriculture, on an industry-wide scope.
Dr. Grafton and Danielson will become the 56th and 57th inductees into the North Dakota Agricultural Hall of Fame.
