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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – North Dakota Farmers Union (NDFU) and Farmers Union Insurances have contributed $60,000 to the Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives at North Dakota State University to expand its mission of education. Of that amount, $50,000 will be directed to the endowment and $10,000 will be used for operations.

According to NDFU President Mark Watne, the donation supports the mission of the Burdick Center. “Our financial support will strengthen the curriculum taught at NDSU and further the development of curriculum for high schools to help build the cooperative system in the state. It is crucial that we continue to teach the co-op business model to the next generation.”

Greg McKee, the Center’s director, said, “The partnership between the North Dakota Farmers Union and the Burdick Center has been strong since the Center’s beginning. This donation will allow us to continue the Center’s expansion of education and research about North Dakota cooperatives and to prepare the next generation of co-op leaders.”

The Center promotes education to college-age students and high schools, and to the general public through electronic and social media sources. It also conducts research that cooperatives can use to strengthen their operation and service to members.

NDFU works with affiliated cooperatives throughout the state as well. The organization provides services to start and sustain cooperatives. It also operates one of the largest camping programs for youth in the state that specifically focuses on co-op education. “NDFU is an excellent resource for cooperatives for education training and leadership development,” added Watne. “People of all ages need to develop a better understanding of how cooperatives work and why they are so important to North Dakota.”

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