In 1954, the Northeast Nebraska Experimental Farm Association was formed for the sole purpose of obtaining an experimental station to serve northeast Nebraska. The Association was incorporated in 1955 and began a fund raising campaign to raise money for such a facility in northeast Nebraska. In 1956, through the Association, a 320 acre farm was donated to the University of Nebraska by the C.D. Haskell family of Laurel. In exchange for the land, the Haskell family asked the Farm Association to arrange a $25,000 scholarship fund in the name of Margaret T. Haskell. The scholarship fund is available for applicants interested in an agriculturally related education at the University of Nebraska. The Assocation is active today in an advisory capacity, as well as providing modest resources for key activities and administering the scholarship fund. Through the years the support of northeast Nebraskans has been evident. Over 2000 individuals have purchased memberships or given donations to the Northeast Center. The Association provided further leadership in 1966 when a fund drive was initiated to generate resources to construct the Swine Research Unit. Over 500 names were added to the list of donors at that time. The Association continues to be an active organization. Members select representatives to the executive board and they are invited to an annual meeting each March held at the Haskell Ag. Lab at Concord. The Association underwrites a portion of the cost of the annual VIP Tour each fall. They also add input in determining faculty positions to be located at the Haskell Ag. Lab and are on record supporting the transition of faculty from Concord to the Lifelong Learning Center in Norfolk, Nebraska.