Bill Jackson is a third generation farmer who was looking for a profitable crop to replace the tobacco he and his family had been growing for 48 years. Black Gold was looking at the area for its strategic shipping location, soil quality and easy freight accessibility. Black Gold began growing potatoes at the North Florida location in 2006, adding a permanent harvest load out facility in 2007.

"We had just quit growing tobacco and we needed another crop. The more I talked to Gregg [Halverson, Black Gold CEO], the more potatoes seemed to be a good fit. There's not a lot we can do in north Florida, but we have well-drained, almost white sandy soil good for potatoes, and it seemed like a good fit for the time of year we could grow them. We could actually get a second crop behind potatoes and that appealed to me.

"It's been a real good partnership. I know the man who manages the farm, known him for years, I know most of the guys who work for him. They are a great group and they do a real good job. I don't worry about them.

"They are very conscientious about taking good care of your property. They manage the land well. They do a lot of soil sampling. They tissue test to make sure we’re not depleting the soil. They make sure there’s enough fertilizer so there are plenty of nutrients for the next crop. In fact, they put in what the potatoes use and a little more, so we’re left with a little extra.

"I usually run the irrigation, but when I need help, they take good care of the pivots. The managers make sure they are doing everything right. I’ve never had any problems. They know us, I know what to expect from them. And they're looking for the same thing we are—to make a profit—and to do that, you have to do everything right.

"Potatoes have turned out to be profitable for us. It's been a real good deal and I hope to keep it going."

—Bill Jackson

Kevin Mainord has been working with Black Gold in one capacity or another ever since the company came to Missouri—either providing input such as chemicals or fertilizer or leasing land. He is associated with M.R.M. Ag Services, a farm input supplier, and two farming operations that periodically lease land to Black Gold, depending on the company's contract needs.

"Black Gold is a very honest company. Gregg [Halverson, CEO] has instilled that value in the organization and it’s passed along to everyone who comes after him—to the management team that runs the day-to-day operation.

"They are always interested in dong what is good for both them and the land owner. I have always known them to be fair in any of their dealings with landowners, and respectful of the properties they rent. With them, it’s not a one-way street—as is true of some companies their size—they want to work with vendors and landowners alike to make sure everyone is treated fairly.

"They take care of the land. They soil sample everything on a yearly basis for their benefit and for the benefit of the landowners. They don’t cut rates on fertilizer, but apply generous rates, which is good for the landowner and for them too. And they try to consider the landowner's perspective in their cropping plans.

"They have really become a member of the community here, even though they are from Grand Forks. People view them as members of the community rather than outsiders."

—Kevin Mainord