After taking 2020 off due to the pandemic, the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Committee hosted their 3rd Annual Banquet In A Field: Western Style at the family farmed Ridl Farms on Tuesday, July 13, 2021.

THE EVENT

The event brought together approximately 140 guests for a feast at Ridl Farms. The evening included a social hour, al fresco dining, farm tour, locally brewed beverages, live music and more!

This tasty, summer event served up an opportunity for consumers and North Dakota growers and
producers to chat about why agriculture is important to our region. Oh, and appreciate an impressive farm to table (and pint) experience.

THE EXPERIENCE

When it comes to a farm to table experience, Banquet In A Field: Western Style doesn’t leave you wanting.

Area locals started the evening at a social hour where they sampled upscale appetizers at
commodity stations that featured the corresponding crop plot, listened to live music by Jessie Veeder, and engaged with growers and producers.

The evening’s guest chefs were Sodexo and NDSU BBQ Boot Camp. The commodity stations included barley, canola, corn, dairy, grapes, honey, meat (beef, lamb and pork), oilseed, pulse, soybeans and wheat.

After the social hour, guests were seated at tables decorated with stylish centerpieces, courtesy of 701 Design + Events.

During the dinner, the evening’s host, Arthur Ridl shared the story of their operation.

THE EDUCATION

The Dickinson area is steeped with agriculture. With the abundance of produce in the area, it’s no wonder why the Chamber has decided to make Banquet In A Field: Western Style an annual event.

“At the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce, we connect business and community, and we reach outside of city limits. Farming and ranching isn’t just a business; it’s a way of life that often spans generations. We saw that in our hosts, the Ridl Family. In an era where we allow others to do more of our cooking and even our grocery shopping, we cannot lose that hunger to understand everything that it takes to bring food from field to table,” said Carter Fong, Executive Director of the Dickinson Area Chamber Of Commerce.

Guests joined this year’s event from education, legislature, health services, energy and the food industry – just to name a few! Businesses across the country rely on the crops and livestock produced in our region.

LOOKING AHEAD

Because Banquet In A Field was such a success, the Dickinson Area Chamber Of Commerce Ag
Committee is already making plans for next year. The event will be a key community resource, going
forward, for those who want to learn more about how agriculture impacts their daily lives.

We hope you have an opportunity to join us at the next Banquet in a Field!

More BIAF: Western Style