North Dakota’s Banquet In A Field

CommonGround North Dakota held its inaugural Banquet in a Field on August 12, 2014 at Peterson Farms Seed, near Prosper, North Dakota. I’ve been a part of planning this event since last winter. This event seated 110 people to a five-course meal, prepared by Tony and Sarah Nasello of Sarello’s Restaurant.

Banquet in a Field allowed consumers to connect with North Dakota farming by touring plots of eleven crops, tasting appetizers featuring each crop, engaging in conversations with farmers who grow the crops and ask questions about food production. The crop plots, planted by Peterson Farms Seeds, included potatoes, flax, canola, sugar beets, pinto beans, soybeans, corn, sunflowers, durum, spring wheat and barley.

I have many photos to edit, 290 to be exact and am playing extra with my kids before they head back to school next week but these photos were shared with me by Krista Kappas of Peterson Farms Seeds and give you an inside look to all that happened at this fabulous farm to fork celebration. 

Coming together to share conversations about food and farming, attendees were media, bloggers, influencers in the Fargo community, parents, working professionals and we all left friends, sharing common ground on what we love, North Dakota, farmers and food. Photo by Krista Kappas.

My mom made those chair covers! Decorating for this event was a big part of the details, as well as the fabulous food, inviting numerous people, set up and so much more. I will be sharing more about it in the coming days. I am very proud of the many that came together to launch this first of its kind event in North Dakota. Photo by Krista Kappas.

Guests enjoyed the beautiful summer sunset and delicious food at Banquet in a Field August 12th. It was my favorite evening of the summer, but I was missing my family. Photo by Krista Kappas.

Aerial view of August 12^th’s Banquet in a Field at Peterson Farms Seed near Prosper, N.D., photo by Adam Spelhaug, who used a UAV to capture this overview of the beautiful evening we shared.

Julie and Carl Peterson, owners of Peterson Farms Seed, our gracious and giving hosts. Peterson’s are the type of people you want to spend more time with because of their hospitality, work ethic and passions. Photo by Krista Kappas.

Chef Tony Nasello of  Sarello’s Restaurant (in white) with FFA state officers and members of the Northern Cass and Kindred FFA chapters. I love FFA, the leadership each member displays and was thrilled these great kids were a part of the event. I had so many positive comments on what fabulous kids they were! Thank you North Dakota FFA Foundation! Photo by Krista Kappas.

Author, blogger and my friend, Roxane has a blog post today that shares her perspective of the Banquet In A Field along with many photos. Be sure to read her insight and I will share more again in coming days. 

What’s your favorite farm experience?