FARGO, N.D. (AP) -- Officials at North Dakota State University are mourning the death of a department head and respected agricultural economist.

Fifty-six-year-old Cole Gustafson died in an accident on his parents' farm near Center City, Minn., on Saturday. The Chisago County Sheriff's Office tells KFGO radio (http://bit.ly/JJ3ZqK ) that Gustafson's right leg became pinned by a tractor tire and he died at the scene.

Gustafson was chairman of NDSU's Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics. Agricultural Affairs Vice President Ken Grafton says Gustafson was a great faculty member, colleague and administrator.

Gustafson's funeral is Thursday in Center City. A service will be planned in Fargo later.

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Information from: KFGO-AM, http://www.kfgo.com

Copyright 2012 The AP.