Gaylord Olson Cooperator Award

The Gaylord Olson Cooperator Award is the highest honor that the cooperative community can bestow on those who have made significant contributions to cooperative and their continued success in North Dakota.

Gaylord Olson was dedicated to the cooperative system and embodies the principles of cooperation that we aim to teach others. Gaylord was integral in getting the NDSU Co-op House built and served as President until he graduated in 1957. Gaylord was a lifetime member of the North Dakota Farmers Union and served as NDFU's vice president from 1972 to 1984. He served on the Board of Directors of the Farmers Union Elevator Cooperative of Buxton from 1962 to 2001, and the Farmers Union Central Exchange (Cenex) Board of Directors from 1986 to 1999. 

The purpose of this award is to bring to light the individuals that work to ensure that our cooperative system stays viable for not only our own communities, but the future of our communities for generations to come. Gaylord Olson Cooperators are our unsung heroes in the cooperative system that go above and beyond to ensure the continued success of the cooperative system.

This nomination is not limited to any single group. Just like the cooperative system, our reach is far and wide, but we all have cooperative cores rooting us to this mission. As long as the nominee is involved with cooperative and making significant strides to advance the understanding, mission and/or purpose of the cooperative system they are eligible to be nominated.

Nominees should have strong examples of participating in education for themselves or educating and mentoring the next and current generation of cooperators. The information should be concise and reflect the nominee’s contributions to the cooperative movement not just the local cooperative.

To nominate someone from your cooperative please write a letter no longer than three pages stating how the nominee:

• Has been involved in the cooperative movement. Within and beyond North Dakota. 
  • Include positions held in cooperatives (employment, board of directors and committees).
  • Include any awards previously received from other cooperatives/cooperative supporting organizations.
  • Any significant civic/community involvements or awards may be included. 
• How the nominee achieved identifiable and lasting changes to improve and promote cooperatives.
• How has nominee inspired and persuaded others to act to advance the cooperative system.
• How the nominee has shown a personal commitment to the cooperative or cooperative movement. 
• How the nominee has participated or advanced education about cooperatives for themselves and/or others.
  • Examples of mentorship to others.  

RECOGNITION:

When nominating an individual, also consider an event of your cooperative’s choosing (i.e. an annual meeting) where you would like the individual to be honored with this award. The recipient will receive a desk clock and their name will be displayed on the tree plaque at the Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives. 

Honoring the individual at an event of your cooperative’s choosing will provide ample opportunity for support from the cooperative and those the recipient have had the most impact on and provide the QBCC with an opportunity to address audiences they may not otherwise be able to. 

Any questions on the award may be directed to Kristi Schweiss at 701-231-6189 or kristi.schweiss@ndsu.edu

Applications are due November 30, 2024. 

2022 inaugural Gaylord Olson Cooperators: 

Dr. David Cobia made significant contributions to university level education on cooperatives. Dr. Cobia was editor of Cooperatives in Agriculture which was published in 1989 and used almost exclusively for university level Cooperative education across the US. The book was later translated into Japanese. Dr. Cobia was also behind the establishment of the Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives and served as Director until February of 1998. 

Dr. Frayne Olson has made significant contributions to the continued success of the Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives as its current Director. Dr. Olson served as Assistant Director for the Center from October of 1996 until March of 2003. Dr. Olson has now been serving as Director of the Center since September of 2016 and as Crop Economist and Marketing Specialist for NDSU Extension since September of 2008. Due to his unique appointment within NDSU he is able to serve cooperatives in a unique and innovative way.