Tom Lee Gilley, a life-long dry bean enthusiast, passed on January 2, 2023. Gilley had an extensive career in dry beans where we worked for Jacks Bean Company in Colorado, before moving to Oakes, North Dakota and starting the Garden State Bean Company for Klein Bros. At the time, Gilley operated the largest bean originating region for KBC. Gilley also served two terms as President of the North Central Bean Dealers Association. His full obituary can be found here.
Founded in 1976, Northarvest Bean Growers Association (NBGA) represents the largest group of dry bean farmers in America, working together to fund research, promote, and produce the finest beans in the world.
NBGA works to better the dry bean industry through promotion, field & nutrition research, market development, monitoring governmental policy, advocating for greater consumer choices, and focusing on the needs of our producers.
NBGA advocates for its 2,400+ farm families across MN & ND that grow dry beans and is committed to strengthening the relationship between growers, industry partners, and consumers across the world.
