Crookston, Minn. -- Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Bob Bergland and Minnesota Pork Producers representative Richard Schieck have joined the AURI board of directors.

Bergland, who lives on the family farm where he was born and raised near Roseau, also serves on the U of M board of regents.

"All my life I've been interested in economic impact on rural communities," Bergland says. "During the time I served as general manager of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, we concentrated on home grown industries because they can make a real difference. I see AURI as being created with that in mind."

Bergland served in Congress from 1970 to 1977 and as Secretary of Agriculture under President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1980.

Schieck, who raises hogs on his Sunburg farm, also teaches 7th and 8th grade science at Belview-Danube-Renville-Sacred Heart.

"We need to remember we're not growing crops and livestock for the sake of growing them, we grow them for someone else," Schieck says. "We have to be customer driven."

"We're very pleased to have Bob and Richard on our board," says Julie Bleyhl, AURI board chair. "They bring unique experience and insight that will help us guide AURI into the future."

Bergland and Schieck agree value added agriculture will play an increasingly important role in keeping the economy of rural Minnesota healthy. "There are endless possibilities," Bergland says, "but we're going to have to be more resourceful. Utilization of crops will be even more important in the future."