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 The heartland of America forms the region we call "Northarvest". Bounded by the green fields of America's cornbelt on the south and the golden Canadian wheat fields on the north, Northarvest spans 112,000 square miles of fertile soil, or about 292,000 square kilometers. The Northarvest region includes all of North Dakota and Minnesota -- an area larger than England, Scotland and Wales combined.
The Northarvest region produces a variety of dry beans in great abundance, thanks to our unique combination of very productive soil, abundant rainfall, warm summer days, and cold cleansing winters.
Currently we lead the United States in the production of pinto, navy, and dark red kidney beans. We also grow quantities of light red kidney, black turtle, cranberry, pink, small red, and great northern beans. If the market demands, we have the capacity to grow more classes.
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 Dry bean cleaning facilities are located throughout the region, assuring superior handling and fast shipping on their way to market.
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Although located in the heart of America, Northarvest can efficiently and quickly transport custom-bagged lots and bulk dry beans throughout the United States and around the globe. An extensive network of highways, railroads, and waterways crisscross the region carrying agricultural commodities worldwide.
We transport to Atlantic ports by cargo ship through the Great Lakes and also by train and truck. Dry beans are delivered to Pacific ports by train and truck through the Rocky Mountains. Downstream ports on the Gulf of Mexico receive shipments by river, rail, and highway.
With Northarvest, you'll find and abundance of quality dry beans in many different classes teamed with the technology and transportation systems to conveniently ship them to your door.
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 Dry beans move efficiently from field to nearby cleaning facilities before quick transport on semi-trucks, trains, and cargo ships.
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Northarvest dry beans are grown
with pride and handled with care
In 1960, the number of farmers raising dry beans in the Northarvest region could be counted in single digits. Today, in just one generation, Northarvest has become a leading producer and shipper of dry beans, with farmers numbering in the thousands.
Because dry beans so ideally fit the land, the climate, and the people who grow them, production has grown rapidly.
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 Dry bean samples are displayed for a trade group touring the Northarvest region.
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Dry beans thrive in the region's rich soils, which range from deep prairie loam to sandy, irrigated loam. A growing season with long, warm summer days and temperate nights seems designed to maximize the quality and quantity of dry beans produced.
One key factor in the Northarvest expansion has been the farmers themselves. Innovative, progressive, and dependable, Northarvest farmers are very capable of competing in a global marketplace. By rapidly adopting new technology, they can efficiently produce large supplies of dry beans.
Along with the farmers, the Northarvest shipping industry has also grown rapidly. Once, the cleaning required a 700-mile transport to the handling facility out west. Today, handling facilities are located close to the fields throughout the region. These handling facilities are very modern - built since 1961 when the region began its expans
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 A tote bag of dry beans is loaded with a forklift into a container for shipment by truck or train. Dry beans are also shipped in custom bagged lots or in bulk.
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ion into dry bean production.
For most Northarvest shippers, dry beans are their only business. These shippers use the latest in seed cleaning technology to quickly and efficiently clean, sort, and size dry beans to obtain the maximum color, size, and quality uniform.
Regional or federal grade standards ensure that Northarvest dry beans meet demanding quality concerns of domestic and international end users of dry beans. The quality and uniformity available in the Northarvest dry beans is appreciated by the biggest traders and dry bean shippers in the country. In addition to large suppliers, independent and farmer-owned shipper cooperatives also thrive.
Northarvest is Totally Committed
to the Business of Dry Beans
Northarvest Bean Growers Association (NBGA) provides a full range of services and funding assistance to facilitate a greater utilization of North Dakota and Minnesota grown dry beans.
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 A trade delegation learns about crop quality from the Northern Crops Institute, a trade and training facility, on the North Dakota State University Campus.
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The NBGA was created in 1976 as a cooperative effort between dry bean growers in the two midwestern states of North Dakota and Minnesota. The organization was formed to pool the resources and coordinate the efforts of dry bean growers in the region.
Because of the initiative, the Northarvest dry bean industry is uniquely positioned to help producers and s h i p p ers supply the world with dry beans. The NBGA provides funding assistance for export marketing initiatives, advertising, trade shows, public relations, and communications.
Through the NBGA, farmers in North Dakota and Minnesota also fund research to improve the quantity, variety, and quality of dry beans grown in the region.
Northarvest Bean Growers Association provides access to a rich source of information about Northarvest - where bean are truely grown with pride and handled with care.
For more information or to talk to one of our Northarvest representatives, please contact:
Northarvest Bean Growers Association
50072 East Lake Seven Road
Frazee, MN 56544
Ph: 218-334-6351 | Fax: 218-334-6360
Email: nhbean@loretel.net
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Abundance, quality 
Palleted, bagged dry beans being loaded on a ship for export.
A Northarvest farmer starts another season by filling the planter with high quality dry bean seed.
A self propelled combine gently and efficiently harvests dry beans.
Dry Beans are good tasting and good for you!
A giant among men, Paul Beanyan travels the world promoting good-tasting Northarvest beans.