Holy Farms Harvest Bee: Neighbors Lend a Hand to Farmer in Need

At American Crystal Sugar Company, we often say our strength lies in the people who grow together—and this harvest season, that truth came to life in the most moving way. When longtime sugarbeet grower Mark Holy of our East Grand Forks Factory District was unable to work his fields due to his battle with ALS, his neighbors didn’t hesitate. Fellow growers from across the region came together, bringing their equipment, time, and compassion to ensure Mark’s beet crop was harvested.

This act of solidarity reflects the deep-rooted values of our grower community: resilience, generosity, and a commitment to one another. It’s moments like these that remind us farming is more than a livelihood—it’s a bond. We’re proud to stand alongside growers like Mark and the neighbors who showed what it means to be part of the American Crystal family.

Read the featured article from the Grand Forks Herald: ‘It’s bittersweet’: Neighbors harvest beet fields for Minnesota farmer battling ALS