Farmers union hosts 110 students at college conference

Participants in the conference were able to visit several agricultural areas.
Participants in the conference were able to visit several agricultural areas.

The 2016 National Farmers Union (NFU) College Conference on Cooperatives (CCOC) was held the weekend of Feb. 19 in Minneapolis, with more than 110 students from 15 colleges meeting with agriculture businesses and young professionals to learn about the future of agriculture.

“Cooperatives organized by farmers and ranchers play an important role in strengthening rural and urban economies across the country,” NFU President Roger Johnson said. “CCOC engages tomorrow’s leaders through a unique platform that teaches them about cooperative business principles and the opportunities available through the cooperative model.”

Participants in the conference were able to visit several agricultural areas, including CHS Inc., the nation’s largest agricultural cooperative, and the Mill City Museum, a riverfront museum at the world’s largest flour mill. The CHS Foundation and CHS Inc., along with CoBank, Farmers Union Industries Foundation, the NFU Foundation, the Minnesota Cooperative Education Foundation, and Organic Valley all graciously supported the conference.

“NFU was founded on the core principles of education and cooperation, and we proudly continue that emphasis today with hands-on learning experiences, like CCOC,” Johnson said, “Thanks to the support of our sponsors, NFU is able to provide cooperative education beyond the farm and ranch gate to young leaders from college campuses across the United States.”