John M. Agrey Award
2024 Recipient
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High-ResDan Wogsland
During his 40-year career, Dan Wogsland has been a stalwart champion for North Dakota's transportation system. A farmer from Walum, ND, Wogsland was elected to the North Dakota Senate in 1983 and served for 16 years, including serving as the Senate Majority Leader in 1993. Among Wogsland's various committee assignments during his time in the legislature, he served on the Appropriations Committee for three sessions and on the Transportation Committee for one session.
From 2002 to 2004, Wogsland served as a legislative assistant for U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan, handling agriculture and economic development issues. In 2004, he became the executive director of the North Dakota Grain Growers Association, a position he held until his retirement last summer.
During his time at NDGGA, Wogsland advocated for strong transportation infrastructure at the state and federal levels. He played a leading role in improving the rail system for agriculture and energy users during the Bakken oil boom. This effort included NDGGA joining the Midwest Council on Agriculture and the North Dakota Ag Mitigation organization, and helping to form the National Ag Rail Business Council and North Dakota Ag Rail Council, bringing rail stakeholders together to foster improved dialogue regarding transportation issues. He also led several efforts to secure increased investments in rural roads and bridges. Wogsland was also a long-time member of UGPTI's Advisory Council.
Growing up on the family wheat and barley farm near Walum, ND, inspired a life-long love of agriculture and public service for Wogsland. He graduated from NDSU in 1980 with a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics. Returning to the family farm, Wogsland and his wife, Debra, farmed for the next 27 years at Wogsland Farms, growing wheat, barley, sunflowers, dry edible beans, and soybeans. He considers his greatest triumph to be raising their three children on the family farm.
