Sunflower group also recognizes Stern with its highest honor

The National Sunflower Association paid tribute to Curtis Stern, and announced a $10,000 contribution toward a new scholarship fund in his memory, at the group's annual summer meeting held recently in Spearfish, S.D. Curt Stern died in February of this year.

Stern was at the forefront of the sunflower industry for decades, and was well- known in sunflower circles from the Canadian provinces to Texas. He served on the NSA board of directors, and was part of a committee of five that first explored the feasibility of developing mid-oleic sunflower, now known as NuSun.

His introduction to the crop came in the mid 1970s, when he and his father-in-law farmed near Carrington. Stern saw the value of the crop first hand in terms of its economic returns as well as its benefits in crop rotation.

He went to work for Sigco Research as a regional sales manager in 1980 until 1988. In 1989 he joined National Sun Industries as a field manager, working at Northern Sun (which it was called after being purchased by ADM) until 2004. He was most recently employed with Technology Crops Incorporated (formerly Kings) before his death on Feb. 17, 2005.

Peggy Stern and members of the Stern family were on hand as the NSA honored Curt Stern's industry contributions and memory with its Gold Award, the NSA's highest honor.

Details of the Curtis Stern Memorial Scholarship were also announced. It is a permanent endowment, with grant monies to be made available for distribution beginning in the fall of 2006.

An advisory committee will screen scholarship applications and recommend recipient awards. Consideration will be given to students studying agriculture, with emphasis on those interested in pursuing sunflower production, promotion, or research. Preference will be given to college students who are in their last two years of undergraduate studies or in graduate level studies, who have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

The Stern Scholarship Fund is directed by an advisory committee appointed by the NSA. The Stern family holds a permanent seat on the committee, with other seats revolving amongst members of the sunflower industry. The inaugural committee consists of Peggy Stern; Steve Kent, Seeds 2000; Guy Christiansen, ADM; Bruce Due, Mycogen Seeds; and Kelly Engelstad, Dahlgren and Co.

Donations to the scholarship are fully tax deductible, and corporate foundations may make legal grants to the fund. The fund will be financially managed by the N.D. Community Foundation, an IRS Designated 501(c 3) nonprofit organization.

To contribute to the fund, checks should be written to the N.D. Community Foundation, and in the memo line, donors should indicate "Curtis Stern Memorial Scholarship Fund." Checks can be mailed to the National Sunflower Association, 4023 State Street, Bismarck, ND, 58503.

Date: 7/19/05