Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives 31st Annual Al C. Bloomquist Lecture Series

David Kragnes is the former owner and operator of David Kragnes Farm, a corn and bean row crop farming operation located in Felton, Minnesota. He served as a director of The Farm Credit Council, a national trade association, and of Golden Growers Cooperative. He also served as an advisory board member for the Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives, a cooperative education center in Fargo, North Dakota.

He joined the CoBank board in 2009 and served as chair of the Governance Committee.

Mr. Kragnes attended North Dakota State University.

Students and industry leaders are invited to the 31st Annual Al C. Bloomquist Lecture featuring Former Director of CoBank and Golden Growers Cooperative, David Kragnes. The event begins with lunch at 11:30 a.m. on April 2 at Louise S. Barry Auditorium in Barry Hall.

This lectureship is designed to provide university students an opportunity to hear first-hand from distinguished individuals involved in cooperatives. Additionally, it allows for cooperative employees, directors and members to network with university students that will soon begin their careers. 

American Crystal Sugar Co. is a cooperative owned by approximately 2,600 farmers, supplies 16% of the country’s sugar and employs 2,000 men and women in the states of Minnesota and North Dakota. 

The Quentin N. Burdick Center for Cooperatives (QBCC) at North Dakota State University helps cooperative businesses reach their potential while being the region’s trusted source for education, outreach and research on cooperative businesses. The QBCC provides educational opportunities through university courses and executive education programs. Research activities focus on issues unique to cooperative businesses operating in the Northern Plains.