North Dakota

North Dakota names its first 2 state-bred grapes, a major step for the wine industry

Published

1 year ago

September 11, 2023

North Dakota names its first 2 state-bred grapes, a major step for the wine industry

FARGO — Researchers have named North Dakota’s first state-created grapes, marking a major step for the wine industry.

North Dakota State University told The Forum last week that it released for commercial use two white grape cultivars, or a crop produced through selective breeding, in April. They have named the two types of grapes Radiant and Dakota Primus, the university said.

“Having these two introductions is our start to what I always call the super cold hardy grapes,” said Harlen Hatterman-Valenti, a high-value crops specialist and assistant head of the plant sciences department at NDSU. “From the testing that we’ve had throughout North Dakota, these two have fared really well for the environmental conditions that our growers are facing.”

Radiant is a white grape North Dakota State University announced as suitable for commercial use.

Contributed / NDSU

As the director of the NDSU Grape Germplasm Enhancement Project, Hatterman-Valenti oversaw the experiments that led to the creation of Radiant and Dakota Primus. The two grapes underwent nearly 15 years of field evaluation at various sites, the university said.

The two grape crosses — two grape varieties from the same vine species crossbred to make a new variety — were made at NDSU in Fargo and grown at the university’s North Central Research Extension Center in Minot, Hatterman-Valenti said. Radiant was crossed in 2009 and Dakota Primus in 2011, according to NDSU.

Grape crosses were grown in various locations across the state to test how they would do in different areas, not just in Fargo, she said.

“There are grape growers throughout North Dakota, and they’re not all just concentrated here and around the Fargo area,” she said. “We wanted to make sure that this is a statewide adaptable grape.”

Cold hardy grapes have been bred in other parts of the U.S., but it is hard to produce those grapes developed in other states consistently in North Dakota, Hatterman-Valenti said. That makes having a winery difficult if one doesn’t know they will have enough fruit to make wine every year, she added.

Radiant and Dakota Primus stand up to cold winters better than other cold hardy grapes, she said.

“The improved winter hardiness of both cultivars may reduce the risk of winterkill to growers, a factor that has limited grape production in North Dakota,” NDSU said in a statement.

The North Dakota Grape and Wine Association and the Winery Association of North Dakota submitted a number of names for the grapes. NDSU Agricultural Affairs Vice President Greg Lardy chose the two names.

The university has to consider several factors before naming the grapes, including marketing, name recognition and relationship to the program, Lardy said. It also had to make sure a name is available and has not been used to identify another grape, he said.

“Dakota Primus refers to the first grape variety developed by our program, and Radiant is a name that describes something that is ‘shining brightly,’” Lardy said. “We felt this description was a nice way to refer to this variety.”

Wineries will get to choose how their wine tastes — sweet versus dry — if they use the grapes, Hatterman-Valenti said. Radiant flows as a white grape, she said.

Don’t expect to fill your cup with these new varieties soon, Horsley said. Vineyards will need about two years to get their first grapes, and the best crop won’t come until at least three years after the vines are planted, he said.

Even then, there isn’t a guarantee that the grapes will work for growers and make wine customers like, he said.

“It’s very possible that when they get to the test, they’ll find out that these grapes don’t work for them,” he said. “We hope they do like them.”

It’s not unusual for a crop tested by researchers to not work for farmers, he said, adding he doesn’t want people to set their expectations too high.

“It is exciting, but that next step is to really figure out, will this work for our winemakers in the state, and then if it does, how much of it can they use,” he said. “Time will tell.”

Still, it is amazing to have produced cold hardy grapes that North Dakota can call its own, Hatterman-Valenti said. Some grape crosses aren’t ready for release to the public for 15 or even 20 years, she said.

“To start from ground zero and to be able to have this in the amount of time that we did, I think it just shows the dedication and hard work of the people who are working with me,” she said in thanking her technician and the grad students who have devoted their time and energy to the endeavor.

NDSU would like to release a red grape that is suitable for commercial use next, the university said. When asked about when North Dakota could see its first cold hardy red grape, Horsley said the university doesn’t talk about experimental crops until they are ready for public release.

“We’re testing hundreds of new experimental’s every year in different crops, and very few of those ever get released,” he said.

April Baumgarten joined The Forum in February 2019 as an investigative reporter. She grew up on a ranch 10 miles southeast of Belfield, N.D., where her family raises Hereford cattle. She double majored in communications and history/political science at the University of Jamestown, N.D.

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North Dakota

Sports Spotlight: Ben DeForest

Published

4 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Bismarck High Wrestlers win a lot of titles.

“We’re striving for a state championship, that’s where the bar is set,” said Bismarck High Wrestling head coach Mark Lardy.

Three of said titles belong to the top-ranked 133-pound wrestler in North Dakota, Ben DeForest.

Now, Ben’s going for number four.

“It would mean everything to me,” said Ben DeForest. “There have been some great wrestlers from BHS that have been four-timers it would just mean a lot for me to add my name to that list.”

”He led a lot by example in the past,” said Lardy. “Now he leads not only by example but his voice in the room is heard.“

Even when his BHS days are over, Ben has another chapter to write in his story: He’s committed to Wrestle at UMary.

“We pride ourselves on trying to keep and retain as many local North Dakota kids here at U-Mary and we’re just very thankful that Ben chose to come here and wrestle for us as well,” said U-Mary Wrestling head coach Adam Aho.

The state champ has a bigger goal in mind.

“His goal is way beyond what our room is going to give him. This is just a stepping stone,” said Lardy.

Ben wants a national championship.

“We need every guy to have that type of mentality,” said Aho. “Without it, we will never be relevant on the national scene.”

”Once you get your hand raised you realize, all those morning practices you didn’t want to go to and all those lifts that you were like, uh I don’t know, it’s worth it. It’s worth it,” said DeForest.

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North Dakota

My Heartfelt Christmas Wish To You North Dakota

Published

15 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

My Heartfelt Christmas Wish To You North Dakota.

Not a “catchy-clicky” title and I doubt many of my listeners or readers will probably even read this article.

However, I wanted to share something with you that is on my heart. This is so not me, as I’m more the guy who writes about “North Dakota’s 10 most quirky this and that”.

It’s not that I’m not a sensitive guy, because when I was growing up, I was probably too sensitive. I would avoid sad movies, songs, or anything that would spark too much of an emotion.

Yes, you could say my heart has become a bit jaded and cold over the years. It’s not something I’m proud of but more of a defense mechanism.

2024 has probably been one of the most challenging years for my family.

From losing loved ones to family issues to health issues to very challenging financial times, it’s been one of those years where you just can’t catch a break. I’m sure many of you can relate.

As we were attending a Christmas Eve candlelight service last night a young child caught my eye.

She was a cute little toddler who was starting to act up. Something I remember oh so well at church with my little now 20-year-old son.

As her father took her outside the sanctuary to attend to her, I couldn’t help but notice this child’s extremely unfair situation. She had a disability at a year or so old, that none of us could ever imagine. It broke my heart.

This poor child and her family no doubt have a long road ahead of them. As we lit our candles later in the service, I caught the wonder in her eyes, and it couldn’t help but melt my cold heart at the time.

She was perfect and I found myself saying a prayer for this little blonde girl with curly locks and her family.

Her situation also reminded me that I should be thankful for what I have and not what I don’t this Christmas. This is my Christmas wish for you North Dakota, that you will realize the same thing.

Be thankful for who you have around the tree today, not what’s under it.

Merry Christmas to all my listeners and readers. I hope at least a few of you get to read this and it will touch you the same way this little girl touched me on Christmas Eve.

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Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

The 11 Best Gooey Caramel Rolls You Will Find In North Dakota

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North Dakota

Could a Bismarck woman become North Dakota's 1st saint?

Published

24 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Could a Bismarck woman become North Dakota's 1st saint?

BISMARCK — Christmas Day marks the ninth anniversary of 31-year-old Michelle Duppong’s death. While her family and friends will feel her absence on this day, they also feel the love, kindness and faith she demonstrated during her short life, along with abundant hope that she not only shared while alive but continues to share in death, which is one of the reasons she is slated to become the first person from North Dakota to become a Catholic saint.

Michelle Duppong

Contributed

In June 2022, Bismarck Bishop David D. Kagan announced the opening of a diocesan investigation into Duppong’s “holiness of life and love for God,” officially starting the long and arduous process of canonization to a saint. On Nov. 1, 2022, Kagan deemed Duppong a servant of god.

Duppong is on track to be the first North Dakotan and one of few around the world to be canonized, said Father Tom Grafsgaard, of Hazen, North Dakota. According to Catholic publications, only 11 people from the U.S. have become canonized saints.

“It’s never happened in the history of North Dakota in either (the Bismarck or Fargo) Diocese,” Grafsgaard said. “It’s quite exceedingly rare for this to be happening.”

In the process of canonization, the Catholic Church declares people “saints.” There are three paths to sainthood: to have died as a martyr for Catholicism; if one lived an expression of love and died a rather quick and unexpected death; or if they gave a heroic example of living all the Christian virtues.

The process of canonization is governed by a strict canonical or juridical procedure established by St. John Paul II in 1983.

After Kagan began the process, Duppong’s cause entered the diocesan phase of investigation into her life. The Michelle Duppong Guild was created — a group tasked with promoting an awareness of her life. Officials are poring over Duppong’s writings, work, demonstrations of faith and the great number of lives she touched while alive, which are illustrated through interviews with those who knew her, Grafsgaard said.

Her case will be built up and eventually sent to the Dicastery for the Causes of the Saints in Rome for the Roman Phase of canonization. A Vatican panel will also investigate and determine if Duppong lived a heroically virtuous life. The Dicastery can then issue a “decree of heroic virtue” in which Duppong would be given the new title of “Venerable Servant of God.”

The third step, beatification, then begins. During this phase, it must be proven that one miracle has been granted by God through Duppong’s intercession. If the Pope declares a true miracle occurred, then Duppong would be declared “Blessed.” Last, a ceremony of canonization would take place where the church declares her a Saint in heaven with God.

“The process is very long,” Grafsgaard said. “I often say, ‘It takes as long as it takes.’ ”

Michelle Duppong overlooking Jerusalem-2013.jpg — Michelle Duppong overlooking Jerusalem in 2013.

Michelle Christine Duppong was born Jan. 25, 1984, the fourth of six children to parents Ken and Mary Ann Duppong. She grew up on the family farm in Haymarsh, North Dakota, where her parents said she loved to help with chores, including caring for sheep but especially gardening, mowing, pruning, weeding, harvesting and canning, according to her mother.

Duppong was named valedictorian and president of her senior class and later attended North Dakota State University, where she earned a degree in horticulture.

After earning her degree, she became a FOCUS missionary at four college campuses, including the inaugural year at the University of Mary, mentoring college students to draw them deeper into the faith. FOCUS is an apostolate dedicated to evangelizing college and university students.

In 2012, she became the director of faith formation for the Bismarck Diocese, where she led parish missions, launched a podcast and spearheaded a three-day Eucharistic conference that drew thousands to the Bismarck Civic Center in 2013.

In the fall of 2014, Duppong was experiencing sharp abdominal pains that doctors initially thought were ovarian cysts, a common but painful issue for women that will sometimes dissolve and go away without major medical treatment. But by December, the pain was unrelenting, and an outpatient surgery was scheduled that month to remove the cysts.

According to Mary Ann Duppong, surgeons were “shocked to find” Michelle Duppong’s abdomen was “full of stage four cancer.”

Doctors expected the young woman to die within months, and hospice care was recommended.

“Michelle was not one to blame anyone for anything,” Mary Ann Duppong said. “Her attitude was, ‘If God wants me to go through this, I will go through this.’ “

Despite the diagnosis, Michelle Duppong continued her life for nearly a full year.

According to the website that outlines the canonization process for Michelle Duppong and its status, she told one of the sisters providing hospice care that she believed she would pass on Christmas Day. Michelle Duppong died at 11:23 p.m. on Dec. 25, 2015.

Shortly after Bishop Kagan initiated the process for Michelle Duppong’s canonization, U.S. bishops affirmed their support for the cause’s advancement.

In this first stage, the primary focus is to raise awareness of Michelle Duppong and the push for her sainthood by spreading as much information about her and her life as possible, which is done through the creation of a guild and much of which can be found at

www.michelleduppongcause.org.

Michelle Duppong2.jpg — An undated photo of Michelle Duppong at the Duppong farm.

In January, a FOCUS-produced documentary titled “Thirst for Souls: The Michelle Duppong Story,” was screened at a FOCUS convention in St. Louis. Afterward, Michelle Duppong’s parents were inundated for hours with comments about how much the movie and Michelle had influenced viewers.

While one cannot necessarily predict when or if Michelle Duppong will become a saint, Grafsgaard said a bishop must believe canonization is likely to begin the process.

“For a bishop to initiate a cause, there should be a well-founded hope for its success,” he said. “There certainly was reputation in her life, and she continues to have it in her death.”

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