Above: Northwest Farm Credit Services Montana Manager Bill Perry presents a $250,000 check to MSU President Waded Cruzado and MSU Vice President of Agriculture Charles Boyer during the MSU College of Agriculture's Harvest Breakfast in 2016. The donation was a combined gift between CoBank and Northwest Farm Credit Services to support graduate student scholarships for research and teaching under the Cameron Chair program in the department of Animal and Range Sciences. 

The Cornerstone Gift & Industry Support 

As one of Montana's preeminent pioneer ranching families, the Cameron family cares deeply about issues facing Montana agriculture and business. The intent of her Nancy Cameron's $2 million 2013 gift to the College of Agriculture was to support a legacy gift for future of students. The Nancy Cameron Chair in Range Beef Cattle Production supports a teaching, mentoring and research faculty position within the Department of Animal and Range Sciences.

In 2014, the Montana Stockgrowers established a $1,000,000 endowment to support graduate students studying under the Chair. The goal for the fund is to raise $1 million, generating investment-derived income of $40,000 annually to support two graduate fellowships, fueling dynamic research by MSU students through industry-driven projects designed to directly benefit the Montana livestock industry.

The Chair will support and oversee research efforts and educational programs that foster collaboration among all industry stakeholders. This cooperative approach will ensure the vitality of livestock production in Montana and the region. A sustained robust graduate program with endowed resources is a critical component in expanding research and development.

Related Media 

"$3.5 million gift endows student scholarships and bolsters agriculture and business at MSU" - February 20, 2014

"College of Ag Hires DelCurto in Animal and Range Sciences" - May 11, 2016

Supporters

The following producers, families, agribusiness and grower-representative groups have given in support of the chair:

  • Nancy Cameron
  • David and Tanya Cameron
  • Bair Ranch Foundation
  • Northwest Farm Credit Services
  • CoBank
  • Sieben Ranch Co.
  • Walter Taylor
  • Curry Cattle Co.
  • Lane Associates
  • Montana Livestock Ag Credit
  • Montana Stockgrowers Association
  • Gateway Simmental
  • Cornwell Ranch
  • Bank of Baker
  • Holden Herefords
  • Sidney E. Frank Charitable Foundation
  • Malesich Ranch Co.
  • Ross 8 Bar 7 Ranch
  • Mill Iron Ranch
  • Lazy SR Ranch