1 Million Thanks
An Award of Recognition and Gratitude
Join Us for a Night of Gratitude
Thursday, January 28, 2027 | 7:00 to 9:00 PM CST
Grand Farm Innovation Campus
3717 153rd Ave SE, Wheatland, ND
What is 1 Million Thanks?
At Emerging Prairie, we try to end every meeting with a round of gratitude. 1 Million Thanks is our chance to do the same thing for an entire year.
Each January, we unveil our annual report and bring together the partners, donors, collaborators, award winners, and community members who helped make the past year what it was. We’ll celebrate our 2027 award winners who made an especially meaningful impact and share some of what happened across Emerging Prairie, Grand Farm, TEDxFargo, and Emerging Digital Academy. Most importantly, we want to take the time to say “thank you.”
As Emerging Prairie heads into a big year of growth across all programs, 1 Million Thanks gives us a chance to gather, reflect, and celebrate the folks who helped get us here. Join us for good conversation, a look ahead to what’s in store for 2027, and, of course… the classic champagne toast.
What happens next starts now.
What can I expect at 1 Million Thanks?
- Refreshments: Heavy appetizers and a cash bar will be available throughout the evening.
- Location: 1 Million Thanks will take place at the Grand Farm Innovation Campus in Casselton, about 20 minutes west of Fargo. Since drinks will be available, we recommend carpooling and planning ahead with a responsible driver.
- Dress Code: Cocktail formal. Think opening night at an art gallery: polished, elevated, and a little creative.
2027 Award Winners
Community Impact Award // Bell Bank
Grand Farm Partner of the Year Award // Community of Casselton
Lifetime Impact Award // Admiral Stuart Munsch, U.S. Navy (Ret.), and Beth Munsch
Community Leadership Award // Current and Past Grand Farm Board and Founding Steering Committee Members
2026 Award Winners
Community Impact Award // FM Area Foundation
Grand Farm Partner of the Year Award // Pivot Bio
Lifetime Impact Award // Cindy Schreiber-Beck, Eric Hardmeyer
Community Leadership Award // Forum Communications
2025 Award Winners
Ecosystem Champion // U.S. Small Business Administration
Innovation Champion // Ag Country Farm Credit Services
Technology Community Champion // Jaryd Krishnan
Startup of the Year // Aigen
Lifetime Impact // Senator John Hoeven
2024 Award Winners
Entrepreneur Community Builder // 50 South Capital
Entrepreneur Community Champion // North Dakota State Representative Mike Nathe
Technology Community Builder // Cota Systems
Technology Community Champion // Kara Kalbus, Eide Bailly
Grand Farm Innovation Champion Award // USDA ARS
Grand Farm Innovation Project of the Year // FARMS Team
Lifetime Impact // Ron Offutt, RDO Equipment
2023 Award Winners
Dr. David Wells Belief // Gary Tharaldson, Tharaldson Ethanol, Tharaldson Hospitality, and Tharaldson Investments
Entrepreneur Community Champion // North Dakota Small Business Development Centers
Kick-Ass Award // Jessie Azure, Spadesso
Grand Farm Champion // KWS Group
Innovative Grower // Ron Holiday
Technology Community Advocate // Jase Kraft, Full Stack Fargo
Technology Workforce Champion // Perficient
2022 Award Winners
Rookie of the Year // Patty Post, Founder & CEO of Checkable Health
Dr. David Wells Belief // State Senator Ron Sorvaag
Dr. David Wells Belief // State Representative Michael Howe
Team Player // Scheels
Entrepreneurial Leader of the Year // Brady Nash, CEO of BNG
Entrepreneurial Leader of the Year // Ryan Goodman, President of BNG
2020 Award Winners
Rookie of the Year // Peter Chamberlain, Co-Founder of WalkWise
Dr. David Wells Belief // Kodee Furst, Co-Founder of Annie Capital
Team Player // Microsoft
Social Entrepreneur of the Year // Kim Pladson, TNT Kid's Fitness & Gymnastics
Entrepreneurial Leader of the Year // Jeff Young, President of Health at WEX
Student Entrepreneur of the Year // Dieumerci Christel, Founder of Enlight
Lifetime Community Impact Award // Lauris Molbert
2019 Award Winners
Rookie of the Year // Sadiyo Hassan
Social Impact Award // Adam Martin, F5 Project
Team Player Award // Kilbourne Group
Dr. David Wells Belief Award // Roger Larson
Startup of the Year Award // Aldevron
2018 Award Winners
Rookie of the Year // Ray Berry, Founder of OmniByte
Social Impact Award // Malini Srivistava, eFargo
Team Player Award // Brian Carroll, HERE Technologies
Kickass Award // Julie Peterson Klein
Dr. David Wells Belief Award // Jim Gartin
Startup of the Year // Jake Joraanstad & Ryan Raguse, Myriad Mobile
2017 Award Winners
Rookie of the Year // Max Kringen, Founder of Tellwell
Social Impact Award // Joe Burgum & Simone Wai, Folkways
Team Player Award // CoSchedule
Kickass Award // Kirk Anton, Heat Transfer Warehouse
Ashley Morken, Unglued
Startup of the Year Award // National Day Calendar
Belief Award // Bethlehem "Betty" Gronneberg, uCodeGirl
2016 Award Winners
Rookie of the Year Award // Cooper Bierscheid, Protosthetics
Team Player Award // Botlink
Kickass Award // Eide Bailly
Startup of the Year Award // CoSchedule
Belief Award // Dave and Sammie Binkard
Champion Award // Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors


