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University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture - Curtis

Students Attend Annual Conference on Cooperatives

CURTIS, NE, FEBRUARY 25, 2008: - The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) was well represented during the annual College Conference on Cooperatives held February 15-17. 2008, in Minneapolis / St Paul , Minnesota .  Krystle Friesen, Agribusiness Management Systems department chair at NCTA, escorted 3 students to this year's event.

 "The Agribusiness students that are selected to attend this conference each year look forward to the incredible amount of information they receive about cooperatives and their role in our nation's economy" states Friesen.  "Not only do they attend informative seminars, but they also get to see cooperatives in action through tours of local coops."

Overall, 70 students from eleven states attended the annual event, sponsored by the CHS Foundation and hosted by the National Farmers Union Foundation.  NCTA attendees were:

  • Justin Ryan, Ogallala , NE
  • Jake Haskell, Ainsworth , NE
  • Jerry Wallen, Palmyra , NE

 
Presenters at this year's event included members, directors, employees and managers from a variety of different cooperatives, ranging from traditional and value-added agriculture to electric and housing.  Perspectives on cooperative development here and abroad were also provided by representatives from USDA Rural Development and the Peace Corps.

 "We're very grateful for the National Farmers Union Foundation and the CHS Foundation for sponsoring this annual event," adds Friesen.  "It gives our students the ability to see what they learn in the classroom taking place in the real world."

National Farmers Union promotes rural economic and cooperative development by supporting existing agricultural co-ops and helping form new farmer co-ops and other rural businesses. The primary objective is to help family farmers and ranchers add value to the food, fiber and energy they produce. NFU assists producers to retain ownership of their commodity further into the processing channel and enhance market returns on their investment. By working together with other persons and groups, Farmers Union helps family farmers and ranchers advance their farm, ranch, co-op and community enterprises

For more information about NCTA, please contact the Admissions Office at 1-800-3CURTIS.