Mary Kosel & Linda Patterson

The NDSCS Alumni Foundation is proud to announce Mary Kosel and Linda Patterson as the 2019 NDSCS Homecoming Parade Grand Marshals. Mary and Linda are very deserving of this honor as they led with their philanthropic spirit to maximize the efforts of others to make a hands-on agricultural land lab a reality for NDSCS.

Richard and Mary Kosel married in 1947 and started farming north of Wahpeton, ND.  They started with very little, but with luck, prayers, and hard work, they were successful.   They worked together as a team with their only child, Linda, growing wheat, corn and soybeans.  In addition to crops, they had dairy cows, a feed lot operation, and raised many other farm related animals. Richard passed away in 2013.  Prior to his passing, the family had conversations about finding stewardship projects that would address their love for agriculture and education, and make a difference in the lives of young people.

Linda attended Wahpeton High School, then enrolled at NDSSS.  She completed her A.A. degree and went on to Moorhead State University.  At MSU, she completed a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. Following her undergraduate work, she taught school in Minnesota. Later she earned her Master’s Degree in SLD, EBD and Remedial Reading. Recently, Linda retired from teaching and her family decided to focus more on stewardship opportunities in the community. Over the years, Linda worked with many secondary students that were “hands-on” learners with many talents and had so much to offer to the world.  Many struggled in the traditional classroom setting but excelled in the trade and technical classes.  This type of specialized learning environment was of great importance and interest to the Kosel family.  They wanted to explore opportunities at the next educational level to support students at the post-secondary technical and trade school level. 

In 2017, the Kosel Land Lease Lab (a 90+ acre plot – northwest of Wahpeton) concept was conceived with the collaboration of the NDSCS Alumni Foundation, NDSCS Agricultural department personnel, many community businesses and friends of the college.  In 2018, the first year of the three year land lease project was completed. The land lab grew soybeans, wheat, and corn. Through this experience, the lab has already produced many benefits for the students which include hands-on experiences, real-world activities and scholarships opportunities.  The lab has given Peterson Seed, RDO Equipment Co., and Farmers Union Oil of Southern Valley, Minn-Kota Ag, Goerger Seed, and others the opportunity to share their expertise, equipment, seed and other in-kind support to this project.

On March 6, 2019, an NDSCS Kosel Family Agriculture Land Lab Appreciation Lunch took place to celebrate and review of the first year.  It was nice to hear from some of the NDSCS Ag students, sponsors and staff about the positive impact and their experiences as well as plans for this next year.