BNSF Foundation supports Ag Education facility campaign

The new ag education facility at Lake Region State College has received a boost from a regional foundation. 

The BNSF Railway Foundation recently donated $20,000 to support the Hofstad Ag Center project at Lake Region State College. 

The BNSF Railway Foundation is dedicated to supporting the communities it serves and in which its employees live, work, and volunteer. The mission of the Foundation is to support and help improve quality of life for thousands of communities across the 28 states where BNSF operates. In North Dakota, BNSF Railway serves customers and operates on more than 1,500 miles of track that cross the state and employs more than 1,300 North Dakotans. 

“Rail plays a pivotal role in the success of the agricultural economy. To see support from the BNSF Foundation to our college, community, and agriculture is appreciated,” said LRSC President Doug Darling.

Darling added that support from industry and individuals in the region showcases the need for the new ag education facility at the college.

“We’re pleased the BNSF Railway Foundation can help support such an important center for the region and state,” said Amy McBeth, Regional Assistant Vice President Public Affairs, BNSF Railway. 

The BNSF Railway Foundation plays an active role in many communities within the state, and contributed more than $530,000 to various local charities in 2019. 

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.
Construction of the facility is underway and a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Hofstad Ag Center took place in July. 
The Community College Foundation, which supports Lake Region State College, launched a capital campaign this spring 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. 

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. 

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 many courses and programs throughout the state, including a location at the Grand Forks Air Force Base; peace officer training program in Minot and Grand Forks; nursing in Grand Forks and Mayville; and a LAUNCH program that serves students in Grand Forks planning on transferring to UND.