CHS University Initiative on Co-op Education Launched

By CnAgri Print

CHS Inc., the nation's leading farmer-owned cooperative, announced Thursday it will launch a $2 million CHS University Initiative on Cooperative Education program, a major investment in building understanding of the cooperative business model through education, development and practical experience.

"As a farmer-owned cooperative, CHS is committed to investing in the future of the cooperative system," said Jerry Hasnedl, CHS Board chairman and a St. Hilaire, Minn. farmer. "This exciting new initiative will enable the next generation to achieve new levels of success as farmers and ranchers in the global marketplace, as employees with challenging careers in agriculture and as contributing citizens of rural communities."

The CHS University Initiative on Cooperative Education will support an extensive range of programs at universities and organizations across the country that integrate cooperative education into agribusiness curriculums, cooperative development and farm business studies. It will also support graduate-level cooperative education programs, soil, water and environmental studies, as well as technology-based learning programs.

"We are proud to launch the CHS University Initiative on Cooperative Education, which builds on more than eight decades of working with agricultural, cooperative and education entities, as well as the 20-year legacy of our Cooperative Education program," added William Nelson, president, CHS Foundation and vice president, CHS Corporate Citizenship. "

Partner universities and organizations include: University of Wisconsin, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri, The Ohio State University, North Dakota State University, University of Saskatchewan, Kansas State University, University of Idaho, Iowa State University, Cornell University and Southern Federation of Cooperatives.