Burdell is a farmer and rancher in the Tuttle, N.D., area. He serves as vice chair of the State Board of Agricultural Research and is a strong supporter of NDSU, particularly extension and research programs. He is the Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching (CARET) representative for North Dakota. He has been active in the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers and has a long history of interaction with NDSU extension specialists and agents involved with sheep production, including serving on the NDSU Livestock Alliance. Burdell is active on the boards of the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund and the American Sheep Industry Council and serves as vice chair of the North Dakota Ag Coalition.