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

2015 Award Winners

Rookie of the Year Award // Blaine & Amanda Booher

Team Player Award // Myriad Mobile

Belief Award // Dr. David Wells

Champion Award // Dr. Sue Mathison & Jim Gartin

Entrepreneur of the Year Award // Courtney Evanson