A Golden Anniversary: Red River Commodities Celebrates 50 Years

For Red River Commodities, the last 50 years have been filled with growth, perseverance and grace – similar qualities of its primary crop – sunflowers.

Founded in 1973, the Fargo-based company transforms sunflower seeds and other specialty crops into food ingredients and products like SunButter sunflower seed butter, wildlife food and more.

In 2023, the company celebrated 50 years of success with a look back at its humble beginnings.

“In the sunflower industry, just to look at what has transpired over the last 50 years, it’s kind of mind-boggling,” says Curtis Kuntz, vice president of the Wildlife Division and a 20-year employee at RRC. “There have definitely been challenges and pressures, but we’ve been able to adapt, diversify and be creative, strengthening the bonds within our company as well as our community.”

See more: North Dakota State University Research Uses Bees to Prevent Disease in Sunflowers

RRC started as a specialty grain trading company, expanding into a sunflower hybrid seed program and eventually a greenfield processing plant for human food products.

Throughout the years, the company has seen tremendous growth with several acquisitions, expansions and new products. The firm now handles millet, flax, milo and safflower in addition to the original sunflowers at its crop processing facility and has a Horace facility that provides custom roasting and product packaging.

“Over our 50-year history, we’ve planted 6 million acres of sunflowers and processed 6 billion pounds of sunflower seeds,” says Koert Liekelema, CEO.

Numbers like that, and the vast amount of diversification, are a testament to RRC’s growth. But Kuntz and Mike Kotzbacher, senior vice president, say one thing that hasn’t changed is the company’s commitment to its values of integrity, passion, safety, pride and family.

“We have a culture of people,” says Kotzbacher, who has been with the company 18 years. “If you’re a parent and your child has a sports game, we want you to be there.”

He says that being able to grow as a company while retaining long-term employees is paramount.

RRC’s people-first culture transfers to the community as well. Since 1998, RRC has given more than $100,000 to local students and is a Live United partner with United Way.

“We have a great relationship with our community,” Kuntz says. “Not only in giving back but with our products. For example, our bird feed brings enjoyment to people’s lives, helping them connect with nature. There’s value in that.”

As for the next 50 years, RRC has plans to keep growing while staying true to its original principles.

“We’re always looking at acquisitions and product development,” Kotzbacher adds. “And we’re going to keep doing what we’re doing – continuing that family culture, being a top 25 employer in the area and focusing on the values that drive us.”

See more: North Dakota Mill Is Still Going Strong After More Than 100 Years