Yaggie Family Donates $1 Million to NDSCS
December 26, 2023
WAHPETON, N.D. — The North Dakota State College of Science received a special Christmas present from the Yaggie Family, who donated $1 million to the NDSCS Agriculture Center.
The Yaggie family’s $1 million donation to the NDSCS Foundation will fund the center’s renovation project. In honor of the donation, the NDSCS Agriculture Center will be renamed the “Yaggie Family Agriculture Center.”
The family — Robert, Donald and Richard Yaggie, along with Jeri Yaggie, who is honoring the memory of her late husband, David — have deep roots in agriculture and education in the southern North Dakota region. Multiple generations of Yaggies have attended NDSCS.
“The Yaggie family’s gift is a testament to their belief in the future of agriculture and the importance of education in our community,” NDSCS President Dr. Rod Flanigan said in a statement.
The renovated Yaggie Family Agriculture Center will serve as a tribute to the family’s contributions and be a cornerstone for future agricultural education and innovation at NDSCS.
“These are exciting times for NDSCS, as the Tech Center remodel is in the Architectural design and engineering phases,” said NDSCS Director of Facilities David Cooper in a statement.
The NDSCS Precision Agriculture program is a student environment that combines hands-on learning with modern technology.
The Agricultural Center remodel includes the renovation of all classrooms, shops and offices. The John Deere Diesel program will be relocated to make room for precision agriculture equipment training programs.
“We are working closely with our technology partners to ensure all of the spaces provide the best learning environment possible for our students,” Cooper said.
The Yaggie family began its agricultural contributions with the Otto Yaggie homestead. Leo Yaggie then expanded into the Red River Valley and established Minn-Dak Beet Growers.
Donald Yaggie and his sons, Kevin, Mike and Jeff, farm in the Breckenridge and Thief River Falls, Minnesota areas. Robert Yaggie, a 1960 NDSCS alumnus and his son, Bruce, plus Richard and his son Allen, all farm near Breckenridge. David, a 1965 NDSCS alum, passed away in 2019 and his son Mark, who died in 2017 also farmed.
Along with generations of farming, the Yaggie family has been active in various community and agricultural organizations, including the International Flying Farmers, St. Mary’s School and Church and CHI Hospital. The family also supports NDSCS through their involvement on the NDSCS Foundation Board, NDSCS Catbackers, the NDSCS Ag Advisory Committee and promoting NDSCS to the surrounding community.
“We are deeply grateful for the Yaggie family’s generosity,” Executive Director of the NDSCS Foundation Kim Nelson in a statement. “This donation will allow us to advance our agricultural programs and continue to serve as a leader in educating the next generation of agricultural professionals.”