HALSTAD, Minn. — What this Red River flatlands village lacks in population — 564 —it makes up for in pride about its sugar beets. Since March 2024 Halstad has boasted a 21-foot concrete homage to sugar beets. At 10,000 pounds and eight feet around, it’s the world’s largest sugar beet. The statue is the work of Josh Porter of Avalanche Studios three hours away in Merrifield, Minnesota. Potrer crafted the statue using an old concrete mixer drum, spray foam and protective coatings in the tawny tones of sugar beets. It was a 10-day project. The Red River Valley accounts for 50% of the total U.S. sugar beet acreage.
Now you have another reason to visit Halstad.