You’ll often find NDSU alumnus Dane Braun front and center when it comes to major agricultural issues in North Dakota. People across the state are rightfully noticing the hard-working North Dakota Farmers Union executive.
Braun, BS ’08, agricultural economics, MS ’10, agribusiness and applied economics, was recently named to Prairie Business magazine’s prestigious “40 Under 40” list, which honors top business professionals in the region who are under the age of 40. Honorees were acknowledged in the article “Rising to the Top” in the publication’s December issue.
“Being recognized with the Prairie Business magazine ‘40 under 40’ is a huge honor. I am thankful for those who have pushed me to work harder in my career,” said Braun, who is the Farmers Union staff executive director and leads cooperative development and special projects for the agricultural group.
After earning his master’s degree at NDSU, Braun joined the North Dakota Department of Agriculture as policy analyst and legislative director. While there, he consulted government officials on policies affecting the state’s agricultural industry and regularly met with various farm organizations. He also participated in working groups with key agriculture and commodity entities to help rewrite the humane treatment of animals law enacted during the 2013 legislative session. In June 2013, he accepted his position at the North Dakota Farmers Union.
Highly regarded as a leader in effective management, Braun is quick to praise his alma mater for his early career success. “NDSU gave me the confidence to fulfill my goals,” he said. “I would not be where I am today without my master’s degree and the mentoring of my undergraduate and graduate adviser, Dr. Dragon Miljkovic.”
Braun is passionate about agriculture, and plans someday to return to his family’s farm near Wheaton, Minn. When he does, he’ll be the fourth generation of his family to farm that land.
The Prairie Business article can be viewed at http://www.prairiebizmag.com/event/article/id/16922.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation’s top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.