AgCountry Farm Credit Services has been recognized by the North Dakota State University Foundation for its continued support and contributions to the university. The Partner in Excellence award was presented to AgCountry during the recent NDSU Evening of Distinction ceremony.
The honor is bestowed to corporations, foundations, or organizations that have given significant support and provide inspirational philanthropic giving to the university.
The relationship between AgCountry and NDSU is long-running. Key areas of support include programming, student opportunities, facilities, and important faculty initiatives.
“Partnerships such as AgCountry and NDSU offer a mutually beneficial exchange of resources, expertise, and talent that fosters innovation, economic growth, and community development,” says Howard Olson, senior vice president of government and public affairs with AgCountry.
A donation in 2007 helped create Barry Hall and the AgCountry Auditorium, which is home to the university’s College of Business and the Agribusiness and Applied Economics department. Recent facility support initiatives include the Center for Trading and Risk and the Peltier Complex.
The Farm Credit Fellows program, an undergraduate program in agricultural finance, is another joint venture that provides students with real-world financial experience while earning college credits.
In 2023, a philanthropic commitment by the member-owned cooperative established the AgCountry Endowed Chair in Agribusiness, which will be located in the NDSU Center for Trading and Risk. This is the first and only NDSU-endowed position funded solely by an outside entity.
AgCountry also actively participates in the university’s career fairs and partners with the Career and Advising Center to connect qualified graduates with open positions at AgCountry and the broader agricultural industry.
These initiatives have helped bridge the gap between education and employment in agriculture while ensuring a pipeline of skilled and knowledgeable professionals.
