CSU Students Attend College Conference on Cooperatives

MINNEAPOLIS – On February 16-19, 2023, students from Colorado State University participated in the College Conference on Cooperatives, an annual conference held by National Farmers Union (NFU) to educate, motivate, and inspire the next generation of leaders in cooperatives.

Over the course of this three-day conference, participants heard from experts in the field, participated in interactive learning activities and workshops, and toured co-ops in the Minneapolis area. The event attracted students from across the country, including students from: Colorado State University

·      Cornell University (NY)

·      Lake Area Technical College (SD)

·      Montana State University

·      North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University

·      Northeast Community College (NE)

·      Ogallala Commons

·      University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

·      University of Missouri – Missoula

·      University of Montana

·      University of Wisconsin – Whitewater

Ahead of the conference NFU President Rob Larew said, “NFU’s history is rooted in the cooperative movement and our future is, too. The College Conference on Cooperatives is a glowing example of the value Farmers Union provides to our members and their communities. I’m excited to see yet another group of smart, engaged students taking an interest in the cooperative model.”

Participants heard from a variety of speakers from local and national co-ops. The keynote luncheon, in partnership with CoMinnesota and hosted by the Ralph K. Morris Foundation, featured a keynote address from Megan Rock, Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President of Sustainability and Innovation at CHS Inc.

The College Conference on Cooperatives is made possible through the sponsorship of the CHS Foundation, SPIRE Credit Union, and the National Farmers Union Foundation.

NFU 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 groups and individuals, Farmers Union helps family farmers and ranchers advance their farm, ranch, co-op, and community enterprises.

Students interested in participating in future events can visit nfu.org/ccoc for more information.

Photos from this event can be found here.

Photo Link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nfudc/albums/72177720306130813/