FARGO, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The North Dakota State University Little International Saddle and Sirloin Club social and dinner will be held February 10th and 11th on the NDSU campus.

Dean & Paula Swenson of Walcott, N.D. are being honored as the Agriculturalists of the Year.

In 1988, they bought a farm near Walcott, N.D.. When they first started, they crop farmed, raised sheep, and ran 2,200 head of Angora goats on a leafy spurge control project on the National Grasslands. They also raised club lambs and club goats for 4-H and FFA projects. The couple leased their animals so kids without the opportunity could show for little to no cost and get their feet in the livestock industry.

In the mid 1990’s  they transitioned from the Angoras to a meat goat operation. They started running stock cows in the 1990’s, and in 2014, they expanded the cattle feeding operation by building a 960-head permitted feedlot.

Dean and Paula are active in the North Dakota Lamb & Wool Producers Association serving in the past as a president and secretary. They helped with the NDLWP Starter Flock Program, and Dean served as a mentor for youth recipients of the Starter Flock Program. Paula ran the North Dakota Make It Yourself with Wool for a few years and also was the Sheep and Goat representative on the North Dakota board of Animal Health for 13 years.

Little International Manager Jade Koski said the couple have mentored students for decades.

Tickets for the Agriculturalists of the Year banquet are $20. To purchase tickets, contact Tyler Goplen at 507-829-1992.