CoBank has contributed $250,000 to North Dakota State University through the next five years. Of that amount, $160,000 will go to the Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives to expand its mission of education, research and outreach. The remaining funds will support the NDSU Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics commodity trading room laboratory.

CoBank is a cooperative bank serving agribusiness, rural infrastructure providers and Farm Credit System associations throughout the U.S. The contribution to NDSU is part of the bank’s $5 million program to fund agricultural research and education at more than 30 land-grant universities and other agricultural institutions.

The Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives promotes education to college-age students about cooperatives. Cooperative education materials are developed and disseminated through electronic and social media sources. The center also conducts research that cooperatives can use to strengthen their operation and service to members.

""CoBank is an outstanding partner in efforts nationwide for promoting cooperative business education,” says Gregory McKee, director of the Burdick Center. “The relationship between CoBank, the Burdick Center for Cooperatives and the public is strengthened by the research and educational opportunities these funds generate.”

NDSU President Dean Bresciani says CoBank and NDSU share a common goal of promoting student excellence.

“NDSU is fortunate to work with CoBank to strengthen the offerings for our students, our state and the nation,” Bresciani says.

“CoBank is a long-time supporter of the Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives,” says Robert B. Engel, CoBank president and chief executive officer. “Our nation’s cooperatives have played a critical role in making the U.S. farm economy one of the most productive and innovative in the world, and educational institutions like North Dakota State University are helping to ensure the future success of our industry by incorporating cooperative education into their programs. We are pleased to be continuing our support for NDSU and the important mission of the Burdick Center.”

“CoBank understands the needs of our customers, as well as the need of all rural America for people with an understanding of how cooperatives work,” says David Kragnes, producer member of the CoBank board of directors who serves on the Quentin Burdick advisory board.

CoBank has supported the Burdick Center by funding additional projects such as a study of credit worthiness in young, developing cooperatives, as well as scholarship funds for students completing the cooperative’s courses online or through the interactive videoconferencing network.

CoBank also supports the NDSU Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics, commodity trading room laboratory. Kragnes says the QBCC and commodities room give NDSU students a foundation that will serve them well in their careers in agriculture.

“The Burdick Center looks forward to leveraging these funds, together with those from other organizations, to create the next generation of cooperative business leaders,"" McKee says.

For more information about the Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives, go to http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/cooperatives .

NDSU Agriculture Communication – May 8, 2013