ND Ag Hall Of Fame Inductees

Marvin Klevberg

Marvin Klevberg was born, raised and farmed near Northwood, ND.  He and his wife, Jeanette, raised five children there.  Marvin was one of the first growers of sunflowers in the Red River Valley.  He was instrumental in organizing and served as president of the National Sunflower Growers Association which was formed to develop the sunflower industry.  He served as the first president of the National Sunflower Marketing, Inc., which was founded to do a better job of marketing.  It also published the monthly magazine, The Sunflower.  He was vice-chair of the ND Sunflower Council, a director of the Sunflower Council of America and was a representative to the International Sunflower Council of America.  He was also a representative to the International Sunflower Conference in Rumania and Russia.

Marvin played an important role in the development of sunflower research by serving on numerous committees and appearing at several hearings in Washington, D.C. to seek larger sunflower research appropriations.  He served as chair of the National Sunflower Association Research Board.  Until his death in 1996, Marvin was a key player in promoting ag diversification and sought out new ways to market products whether it was sunflowers, carrots or potatoes.  He not only looked at the trials of growing a crop, he followed the crop to its last destination in the market.  His awards include State Star Farmer for FFA, NDSU Harvest Bowl Award for contributions to the sunflower industry, National Sunflower Association's Sunflower Gold Award and a congratulatory resolution from the North Dakota Legislative Assembly.

Year Inducted: 2004