Oral History Interview with Aldrich C. Bloomquist
DATE: May 24-25, 1990 and May 15, 1992
INTERVIEWER: James E. Fogerty
Aldrich C. Bloomquist was born in Willmar, Minnesota, and became a major figure in the development of American Crystal Sugar Company and in the beet sugar industry in the United States. He served as American Crystal's Vice President for Public Affairs for many years and as CEO from 1990-1992. He was named "Sugar Man of the Year" by the national Sugar Association in 1997 - the youngest person to receive that award - and also received the Siehl Prize for Excellence in Agriculture in 1994 from the University of Minnesota.
Subjects discussed include: Early life and education, work as a newspaper reporter and transition to the beet sugar industry. Role in the purchase of American Crystal Sugar Company and its transformation into a farmer-owned cooperative and one of the largest sugar producers in the United States. Political realities of the sugar business, international factors in determining sugar prices, competition with other sweeteners, similarities and differences between beet and cane production and marketing.
LENGTH OF INTERVIEW: 7 hours 58 minutes
TRANSCRIPT: 135 pages