For Courtney Hastings of Moorhead, Minnesota, a simple newspaper advertisement opened the door to an unexpected and rewarding career in the sugar beet industry.
At the time, she hadn’t fully settled on a career path when she came across an ad for the American Crystal Sugar Company in the Fargo Forum.
“I applied for a job at American Crystal’s Moorhead factory to gain some experience,” she said. “It quickly turned into a long-term career once I realized how much I enjoyed the work and the industry.”
Life as a Process Technician at American Crystal Sugar: Teamwork and Safety
Today, 14 years after answering the ad, Hastings works as a Process I Technician, monitoring and maintaining operations and equipment to keep the entire factory running smoothly.
“My role is to oversee the sugar making process by managing key process variables like flows, temperatures and pH levels while continuously taking samples to ensure quality,” she said. “My focus is on keeping the process stable and efficient during a 12-hour shift.”
Hastings also helps train newer employees to safely and efficiently run various factory stations.
“I focus on helping them understand both the process and the ‘why’ behind it,” especially when it comes to safety. A lot of it is hands-on, such as walking the floor and learning how to read the process,” she said. “No two days are alike, but our daily goal is always the same: to maintain safe, consistent, and high-quality production.”
Hastings attributes the success of her team to the cooperative’s outstanding safety culture and dedication to constant improvement.
“American Crystal is very receptive to employee feedback, and everyone’s ideas are valued,” she said. “This atmosphere of communication builds trust so people feel comfortable asking questions and speaking up. It is a big part of what makes our team strong.”
The teamwork that results from this positive work environment ensures Hastings and her coworkers successfully meet the challenges that arise in a facility that processes more than 13 million tons of sugar beets to produce 3.5 billion pounds of sugar per year.
“There are many variables to manage in the sugar making process, where small changes quickly impact the entire factory system. We’ve had situations where unexpected process upsets or power outages required quick adjustments and strong communication,” Hastings said. “In those moments, the team works closely together to identify the issue, make changes, and stabilize the system. It really shows how important teamwork and experience are in keeping the plant running safely and efficiently.”
Training New Team Members is Her Passion
Hastings feels successful troubleshooting and helping new team members grow and succeed in their roles are the most rewarding parts of her job. She is also proud of her own career growth at American Crystal, which includes leading projects and stepping into a senior role at the company.
“I would encourage anyone who is interested to apply. The advancement opportunities are great, and American Crystal provides tuition assistance to employees who attend school for jobs related to its operations,” she said.
The most important qualities potential employees can possess are a willingness to learn and a strong work ethic, according to Hastings.
“You don’t need to have everything figured out right away. There are a lot of opportunities ranging from operations and maintenance to lab work and leadership roles,” she said. “If you’re motivated, it can turn into a great long-term career.”
Connecting Red River Valley Agriculture to a Product People Use Every Day
Hastings takes pride in working in the sugar industry and connecting local agriculture directly to a finished product people use every day.
“I think people would be surprised by how much goes into making sugar. It takes constant monitoring, teamwork and attention to detail to produce a consistently high-quality product,” she said. “Over the course of my career, I’ve seen steady improvements in process control and efficiency, and in the technology that has made it easier to track trends and respond quickly. Going forward, I expect continued advancements in automation and data use, along with a strong focus on safety and quality.”
In her free time, Hastings enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and son.
“I’m originally from Weatherford, Texas, but I have family in Moorhead,” she said. “They have always been a strong support system and being closer to them means a lot to me.”
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