The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Agricultural Economics and the Nebraska Cooperative Council signed an agreement July 20 to create a new professor of agricultural and rural cooperatives.
The tenure-track position will be jointly funded for the first six years by the council and the Institute of Agricultural and Natural Resources. The new faculty member will develop and conduct training for cooperative members and leaders. Research on issues relevant to cooperatives and undergraduate teaching will also be part of the new role.
The Nebraska Cooperative Council is the state’s major trade association representing agricultural cooperatives. The association monitors the cooperative scene, watchful for new ideas and approaches to help agricultural cooperatives in a changing environment. Priorities include legislative representation, education for cooperative directors and managers, promotion and public relations and other services to meet the needs of Nebraska’s agricultural cooperatives.
“We are looking forward to expanding our undergraduate offerings to include a new agricultural cooperative minor,” said Larry Van Tassell, head of the Department of Agricultural Economics. “The new faculty member will develop a class on the role of cooperatives in agriculture and direct a new cooperatives internship program.”
“The Council and the University of Nebraska have partnered, both formally and informally, on educational programs since the council’s inception in 1945. This new agreement will allow our members to have greater access to cooperative research and outreach programs well into the future,” said Robert Andersen, president of the council. “This will provide exceptional value for our farmer and rancher members across the entire state.”
