A family with strong roots in the region has banded together to enhance the Hofstad Precision Agriculture Center project.
Members of the Kenner family have sponsored the conference area of the building, which will be called the Kenner Conference Center. The gift was made to the Community College Foundation by members of the Kenner family: Corry and Dr. Kristin (Haugland) Kenner, David and Karen Kenner, Bryan and Robin Kenner, Dr. Brian and Dr. Erica (Kenner) Sauer, Philip Kenner, and Erika Kenner.
The Kenner family has strong ties to both agriculture and Lake Region State College, creating a perfect way to pay tribute to both.
“Kenners have contributed to production agriculture and agribusinesses for generations and understand the importance of LRSC’s role in teaching the latest ag technologies and techniques to a new generation,” said Corry Kenner.
The 2019 North Dakota Legislature authorized construction of a new $3 million ag education building at LRSC. The legislation provided a direct appropriation of $1 million along with some matching fund opportunities and named the building for Curt and Annette Hofstad, long-time Lake Region residents and friends of LRSC. The new ag education building will provide enhanced classroom space and a shop more suited for working with today’s precision ag components and large equipment. With LRSC’s own test field right outside the new building location, students will have real world experiences and graduate with knowledge from the classroom and field.
The Precision Ag program at LRSC has continued to grow since starting classes in 2013. Recently, the ag program was ranked #10 by Precision Ag Institute in its top-20 list because of LRSC’s combination of Industry partners and hands on approach to instruction. The excellent relationship with industry benefits students and employers.
“Having a facility on campus large enough to accommodate today’s large equipment is critical to the mission of our Precision Ag Program. We are very honored to be recognized for supporting LRSC’s efforts to train a highly skilled ag industry workforce,” Kenner added.
The Community College Foundation, which supports Lake Region State College, launched a capital campaign in 2019 to raise $1.5 million. The campaign, when combined with the state appropriation and other state match programs, will bring the college to its $3 million goal.
Established in 1941, Lake Region State College is a comprehensive community college based in Devils Lake, ND. LRSC offers education in a variety of career and technical programs and associate arts (transfer) degree for those planning to transfer and pursue a bachelor’s degree. The college offers its peace officer training program in Minot each spring, Grand Forks and Fargo each summer; its nursing program in Grand Forks and Mayville; is part of the Grand Forks Air Force Base Education Center; has a program called LAUNCH! that serves students in Grand Forks planning on transferring to UND; numerous degrees and courses online; and early entry and dual credit courses for eligible high school students.