WE ARE CVA

Type of farming operation:
Grain: Irrigated corn & soybeans
 
Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors.
I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science from Northwest Missouri State University.  During that time, I held leadership positions in multiple organizations.  I was given the opportunity to attend leadership training seminars that focused on the traits and qualities required to be an effective leader.  I have served on the board of directors for York County Farm Bureau for the past six years and the Polk County Recreation Association (Ryan Hill) for nine years.  I served as an Associate Director on the CVA board for one year before being elected to the board by the patrons.  I have completed all four phases of the cooperative council director training and have attended FC Services Advanced Governance Series Director Training. 
 
Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?
I am first and foremost a farmer, but also a patron-owner of CVA.  The landscape in agriculture is changing rapidly.  The way farmers make decisions and purchase inputs will not be the same even a few years from now.  Much of this change is due to advancements in technology.  I believe that CVA is well positioned to adapt to these changes to better serve the patrons of the co-op.  I would like to be an integral part of ensuring CVA is making the right decisions and making the necessary changes to remain relevant and serve the customers of CVA well into the future.  
 
What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?
 I often see things from angles that others might not.  I am not afraid to speak up, even if it might not make me the most popular person in the room.  I am firm in my beliefs and will base my decisions on what is best for the patrons of CVA.
 
Talk about your passion for the cooperative system.
I have learned a lot about the cooperative system as a director.  The concept of “one member, one vote,” ensures that everyone’s voice is heard no matter how large or small their operation might be.  One of the great things about a co-op is the ability to make decisions based on what is best for the customers and patrons, not what is best for the bottom line. 
 
What is your vision for CVA?
My vision is that CVA will continue to serve the patrons in a first class manner as it has in the past.  I do not want CVA to be a place to do business. I want it to be the BEST place to do business.  I want CVA to continue to hire top-notch employees and to be an important part of the communities that it serves. 
 
Provide any additional information you would like to share here:
My wife, Terri, and I have three children: Creighton (11), Landry (8), and Beckett (5).

Type of farming operation:
Grain:  Corn, Soybeans, and Winter Wheat
Livestock:  Cattle Feeding and Finishing

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors.
Prior to serving on the CVA board for five years, I served on the Farmers Cooperative Company board for seven years.  I have been a full-time cattle feeder and farmer since 2008.  Before farming I worked as a product engineer for 12 years.  I hold a BS from Iowa State University.  I am also serving as a director for Producers Livestock of Omaha, elected leader for Land O'Lakes and the Akron Community Theatre.

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?
Farmer-owned cooperatives are vital to our rural economies, communities and producers.  As suppliers of inputs and end-users in agriculture continue to grow and consolidate, collective bargaining through a cooperative allows individual and independent producers to become part of something much bigger.  As a director of your co-op, I will work to ensure we continue to provide relevant services and invest in assets to help you succeed.
 
What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?
I like to listen, learn and base decisions on facts.  I am also willing to speak up and share my point-of-view when necessary.

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system. 
Independent producers are the backbone of American Agriculture. Cooperatives like CVA give the independent producer leverage in the market through assets and provide valuable information through technology and people, enabling each independent member to stay relevant in agriculture. 

What is your vision for CVA? 
My vision for CVA is to be the industry leader in service to its member-owners. The key to this is through technology, innovation, and people of high integrity that make fact-based decisions. 

A successful cooperative depends on successful members. Keeping CVA relevant in assets and technology will enable success to our members. 

Provide any additional information you would like to share here: 
My wife, LeAnne, and I live on a feedlot east of Akron, Iowa. We have three children: Sam (17), Ben (15), and Elizabeth (11). I am passionate about sustainable methods and new technology in agriculture. I like to snow ski, hike, am fascinated by all things mechanical, and love to raise just about anything that grows. A good share of my free time is spent watching our kids participate in sports and extracurricular activities. 

Farming Operation:  The dryland, no-till farm, operated in conjunction with my parents, produces soybeans, wheat, milo, corn, and forage crops.  A cow / calf herd complements the crop operation. 
 
Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors?  I am currently on the CVA Board and was previously on a merged cooperative’s board.  Before returning to the farm, I had several years of experience in engineering, consulting, and petroleum companies that provided exposure to business meetings and agreements.  I was raised on the farm and am raising my children there also. 
 
Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?  I have enjoyed being a CVA Director and would like to continue in that role.  I can both advocate for producer interests and broadly direct the operation and growth of CVA.  
 
What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?  I believe my participation in the daily details of our farming operation equips me to add value by considering the farmer’s view of the situation during CVA Board decisions and strategic planning.  My on-farm and off-farm experiences contribute to my vision of alignment of the strategic growth of CVA with that of individual producers.  Hopefully, I bring occasional insight, or at least offer a question that prompts further thought.  Over time, tact has developed, to an extent. 
 
Talk about your passion for the cooperative system. The cooperative system allows producers to own the infrastructure necessary to grow and market their crops.  Cooperatives extend the producer’s reach, beyond the edges of their fields, up and down the commodity value chain, to therefore capture a larger part of the “pie.”  I strongly believe that our unique producer-owned structure is vital to maintaining a healthy market for crop inputs and bushels of grain. 
 
What is your vision for CVA?  CVA, and the broader cooperative system, will serve as a relevant market participant and counterweight to the increasingly large, consolidated, integrated, privately-held or publicly-traded, agricultural companies.  CVA serving that function should benefit all farmers, regardless of whether or not they are CVA members.

Type of farming operation:

Grain: Irrigated Corn & Soybeans.

Livestock: Custom Hog Feeding operation.

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors.

I have completed all four phases of Nebraska Coop Council’s Director Certification program. Served as the Board Chairman of Central Valley Ag since its inception in 2003.

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?

To provide the leadership to help insure that CVA is an industry leader in providing products and service to its members for generations to come.

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?

First and foremost, I try to live my life on a foundation of faith and family. My wife Gwen and I have been married 39 years and we have been blessed with six wonderful children. I feel that always being honest and truthful and conducting myself with a high degree of integrity are important qualities in daily life and in business. My experience as a CVA director has taught me the importance of negotiation and compromise. I recognize that input from each director is important and valuable in guiding our company. I understand that there will be times when we have to make decisions that are unpopular but are in the best long term interest of CVA and its members. I always have and I always will give my best effort to carry out my fiduciary responsibility as a CVA director.

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system.

I believe that farmer-owned cooperatives are a cornerstone of the agriculture economy in Nebraska and the United States.

Farmer – owned cooperatives are owned by their members for the mutual benefit of their members and provide for one member one vote regardless of size.

Agricultural supply and marketing co-ops invest in our most rural counties where few other businesses or individuals are investing.  In many of our rural communities, the coop offers some of the best job opportunities with the possibility of advancement if an employee chooses that career path.

Agricultural supply and marketing coops provide products and services to its members while returning surpluses over costs in the form of patronage refunds, revolving equity and payout of estates.

The cooperative system enables its member-owners as individual producers to collectively reach world markets in the purchase and sale of products that we would not be able to reach on an individual basis.

What is your vision for CVA?

I expect CVA to conduct business with a high degree of integrity and to be a leader in bringing innovative products and services to our members. CVA should provide the best service in the industry to our members while offering competitive prices. I feel we need to continue to place a high priority on equity revolvement and pay estates in a timely manner. I feel CVA needs to continue to be profitable in order to reinvest in assets to meet member needs, but that profitability should come from efficiencies gained within the company rather than increased margins.

Type of farming operation:

Grain:  Irrigated and dryland corn, soybeans and alfalfa

Livestock: Registered Angus. We hold our annual T-Bone Angus Bull Sale at Atkinson, Neb.

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors.

Upon graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2009 with a degree in Animal Science, I have been farming and raising cattle with my parents, Mark and Colleen Brookhouser, on the family farm. Over the years, our operation has evolved in our crop production practices and the way we manage our cattle to become more efficient and competitive in the market. This experience, along with the three years I have served as an Associate Director and six years as a Board of Director, will help guide my decisions.

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?
I am interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors because I believe in the cooperative system and recognize the importance of a strong local cooperative in the area. CVA has brought a lot of value to our operation through their efficient grain facilities and their agronomy division that has kept pace with the speed of today’s farming. I see my position on the Board of Directors as an opportunity to serve the members and represent the people across the region.

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?
Honesty, integrity, enthusiasm for agriculture, ability to adapt to change, and first-hand experience in both livestock and grain production through my involvement on our family’s farming operation.

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system.

I am a firm believer in the cooperative system and the value it generates for every member-owner. Being a member of CVA grants me access to new markets for my grain, a seat at the table for savings on crop inputs, and extraordinary service that assists me in growing the best crops I can. In business, creation of value is the top priority, and CVA is the best in the industry at adding value to its members.

What is your vision for CVA?

My vision for CVA is to continue to be a world-class cooperative while meeting and exceeding our producers’ expectations. Investments into our facilities, mergers with other strong cooperatives, and reorganization within the management team have been some strategic steps that CVA has taken over the past couple of years. I believe these steps along with CVA’s dedication to providing innovative solutions for customers will grow our cooperative within our trade area.

Provide any additional information you would like to share here:

I have been married for 10 years to my wife, Mary, who stays at home with our growing family. We are blessed to have a 6-year-old daughter, Camryn, a 3-year-old daughter, Kendall, and a 1-year-old son, Carson. We attend Faith Community Church in O’Neill where we help lead a small group bible study.  

Type of farming operation:

Grain: Irrigated corn
Livestock: Feedlot

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors.

An experience that I believe brings a lot of value as a board member, is my 12 years working for a cooperative. I worked for Frenchman Valley Co-op in various roles within the agronomy, tire service and grain divisions, from frontline positions up to management. Today, I farm and co-own a feedlot which has given me a lot of experience in handling a business including working with employees and customers. I also served on the Farmers Ranchers Cooperative board for four years and was on the board during the merger with Central Valley Ag in 2020. 

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?

I served on the Farmers Ranchers Cooperative board during the merger with CVA and, as a supporter of the merger, I feel responsible for seeing it through. And I want to be part of something growing. Because I was on both sides of the cooperative, as an employee and a member-owner, I feel like I bring a pretty good perspective and it's important to discuss decisions from all angles. 

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?

I am confident in sharing my opinion and not afraid to speak up. I grew up on a farm and developed a strong work ethic at an early age. It is also important to have small to large growers on the board to help direct CVA to take care of all member-owners. I've been the small producer, the employee and the large producer and I want to ensure none of those get overlooked as we continue to take the cooperative forward. 

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system.

I think the cooperative system is so important to have a seat at the table. And within a cooperative you have the voice to say, "I voted that person in or that person out," to represent you and your farming operation. I understand the importance of the value that the cooperative brings to the local economy. A cooperative allows farmers to be able to sell a commodity, buy inputs, and help with labor needs. The cooperative system is the full package. 

What is your vision for CVA?

My vision for Central Valley Ag is to continue to grow and compete on a global level because agriculture is a global industry. By being able to compete at that level, the cooperative brings the buying power, that voice and seat at the table, to ultimately bring our member-owners' values and need to the global market. And ensuring we don't lose track of the value of each individual grower to make that happen and in return we give them a doorway to a much better market, better product and services. 

Provide any additional information you would like to share here:

My wife, Erin, and I have three sons, two daughters and four grandkids. Our feedlot is a 4th generation family feedlot operation. 

Type of Farming Operation: 
Cow-calf operation, background calves, develop and AI replacement heifers 

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors.
I served five years on Farmers and Ranchers Cooperative Board of Directors, completed all four phases of the director training from Nebraska Co-op Council. I graduated from UNL in 1999 with a degree in Animal Science. I have been ranching for 14 years with my husband, and participated in Nebraska LEAD program. All of these experiences will help guide my decisions. 

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors? 
I believe in the cooperative system and understand the importance of a strong local cooperative. I see this as an opportunity to serve and represent the members across our region. 

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors? 
Honesty, integrity, first hand experience in livestock production and have served on co-op board of directors. Enthusiasm for beef production and agriculture. I also work as a contract auditor for a third party verification company, Where Food Comes From. 

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system. 
I believe in the cooperative system and the value it generates for members. All sectors of agriculture are looking to add value to their products. CVA does a great job of adding value to the products and services it provides to its members. 

What is your vision for CVA? 
My vision for CVA: meet and exceed producer member expectations while continuing to be a leader in the cooperative area. Continue to take strategic steps, investing into facilities, mergers with strong cooperatives, innovative solutions, all while supplying members with products and services to be profitable. 

Type of farming operation:

Grain: Irrigated corn and soybeans

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors.

I have served two years as associate director and 12 years as director. I also have served on the Advisory Council for Farm Credit Services.

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?

As our co-op grows, we need to continue to become more efficient from our growth. Always asking, “How does this benefit the farmer owner/customer and its employees?”

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?

I am confident in my decisions. I pay close attention to issues in our area and make sure voices are heard.

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system.

The cooperative system has enabled farmers to join together and provide modern facilities, excellent services, a safe place for employees to work and revolvement of equity. Moving forward we must continue sharing the value of the cooperative to the young producers, so it is here to serve generations to come.

What is your vision for CVA?

CVA has an exciting future as we have brought some strong individual co-ops together to create a new CVA that will serve our region for generations. Modern facilities, great employees, timely equity retirement and industry leading products will ensure CVA’s story is one that its owners will be proud to share.

Provide any additional information you would like to share here:

I’ve been married to my wife Lynn for 27 years. We have four boys; Myles, Tate, Ty and Trev.

Type of farming operation:
Grain: Corn, Soybean, Alfalfa Rotation, ½ Irrigated – ½ Dry Land
Livestock: Cow/Calf Operation

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors?
I am fortunate to have served on the CVA Board of Directors as a representative for Region 2 for four years now. It has been a very educational experience and I would be honored to continue serving our region with greater efficiencies for member-owners. In past years, I have served on the St. Andrew parish council and finance committee as well as the Bloomfield Public School Board. I have also served several years on the Board for the Knox County Ag Society.  

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?
I do all my business at the local CVA and I have experienced how it has been an asset to our family business and community. I would like to continue to be involved as a member-owner and a CVA Board of Director to do my part to keep CVA a long-lasting efficient business.

What qualities do you possess that wound add values to the CVA Board of Directors?
I have experience in running my own business. I can be objective and ask questions and make business-minded decisions. I am able to base my decisions on the best interest of the CVA member-owners.

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system.                                                                     
The cooperative system gives all customers a voice and an opportunity to get involved in their cooperative. They have ownership so it is in their best interest to help CVA succeed.

What is your vision for CVA?
I would like to see Central Valley Ag continue to better itself in customer service, equipment, and knowledgeable employees. I want to help keep CVA profitable while being competitive with prices.

Provide any additional information you would like to share:
My wife Luann and I have four children: Tanya, Travis, Taylor and Tanner and 9 grandchildren. Luann, Travis, Taylor and I work the family farm together.

Type of farming operation:

Grain: Corn & Soybean

Livestock: Wean-to-finish hog operation, small cow/calf herd

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors.

From 2011-2020, I have been active as a board member. I served on the CVA Associate Board for a three-year term and four years on the Board of Directors. During this time, we worked on several key initiatives and projects that have advanced our organization. I have also completed the Nebraska Co-op Council’s Director Certification Program.

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?

For the past 28 years, CVA and local co-ops have played an important role in my family’s life. They have been the primary outlet for our grain, the source of our feed supply for livestock and our source for improved crop applications. We rely on CVA for our grain and food-related advocacy. I have been pleased to give back to CVA by serving on the board for the past five years and hope to continue this opportunity.

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?

• Passion for agriculture
• Experience on CVA board
• Self-motivated and experienced agricultural management
• Ability to fulfill CVA’s mission statement
• Ability to plan and manage projects
• Skilled in assessing and directing business activities
• Superior leadership qualities and team player

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system.

My passion is agriculture. Agriculture is vital to families, communities, our country, and our world. The cooperative is a vital support system to the agricultural market, which provides products and services to support this initiative.

What is your vision for CVA?

 My vision for CVA is continued growth and being a leading provider for agriculture products that improve farm production and food quality.

Provide any additional information you would like to share here:

My wife and I farm south of Humphrey, Neb., which has been in operation since 1866. We operate wean-to-finish hog operation, small cow/calf herd with our kids and also raise corn and soybeans. My wife, Doris, and I have three children: daughter, Keisha married to Jarod Podliska, live in Humphrey and both active with family farms, son, Kyle is employed at CVA Humphrey in Agronomy and son, Taylor, is a Freshman at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Neb.   We are all active members in St. Francis Church and both my wife and I have served on various community and church committees.

Type of farming operation:

Grain:  Corn, Soybeans and Alfalfa.

Livestock: Cow calf operation, along with back-grounding some calves.

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors.

I have completed all four phases of the director training as well as continuing education offered through the co-op council. I am the past vice chairman of CVA Board, and have been the chairman of the CVA Credit Committee. I have been involved with mergers, attended UNL, participated in the Nebraska LEAD Program, attended the Managing for Tomorrow program, and am the current Vice President of the Merrick County Extension Board. All these experiences have developed me into a person who listens to many opinions and then processes the information to make the decisions that best fits the circumstance.

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?

I want to see CVA remain as relevant as possible, keeping up with trends, sensing and acting on opportunities, managing risks, and executing the plans made. We must be prepared for what comes our way either opportunities or obstacles that may hamper our ability to keep moving forward

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?

I can listen very well to many opinions and statements and sort out the pertinent information to deal with the issue. Work to solve that issue, move on to the next issue so that the next time we are moving in the right direction. We must supply our patrons with the information, products, and services they need to help them become more profitable and stay in the game of modern day agriculture.

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system.

We must remember why the co-op system was created and build on it today. We must also be very aware of the present-day actions that are going on around us. We must also look to the future to see the latest trends and movements. In short remember the past, do our diligence now, and keep an eye on the future.

What is your vision for CVA?

To remain as one of the leading co-op’s in the area, that means supplying our patrons with information, products, and services they need to be as profitable as possible in all aspects of their operations. That also means to be able to help small, medium, as well as the large producers of grain and livestock.

Provide any additional information you would like to share here:

I have served on boards and committees, and I would enjoy continuing to work for all of CVA’s patrons. I have the ability to listen and then decide on issues before us. Thanks for your consideration!

Type of farming operation:

Grain: Irrigated and dryland corn, soybeans and alfalfa.

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors.

After being an Associate Director for CVA for two years, I became a Board Member and have served on the board for 14 years. After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with an Ag Econ degree, I was fortunate to be able to return to the family farm and start a farming career. I have served on various community boards, church council, and have had many opportunities to work and problem solve with others. I enjoy working with other agricultural producers and enjoy taking part in local activities.  

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?

With a challenging agricultural landscape and new demands from various end users, I want to see CVA stay focused on providing top quality products and services, as well as working with new these new trends on the demand side, to create as much value as possible for the member-owners. Having an excellent employee group, reinvesting in strategic assets where needed, and keeping up with technology will be needed to provide that value to the membership. Being able to continue to redeem equity, compete in an everchanging global marketplace, and provide the services expected by today’s diversified producers, will no doubt keep those challenges coming for CVA.  

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?

I am a good listener and take my time to think about the needs of the member-owners when making decisions. The challenges faced by producers today are similar to the ones faced by the cooperative. I feel I can help problem solve in our group setting by listening to our local patrons and share their voice with the board members.

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system.

I want to keep a locally owned company that is owned and represented by its members. There are many options available for products and services, including the “internet” type providers, but I want to see a cooperative that is here to provide great service, and be a supplier of choice whether it’s small grains, row crops, specialty grains or livestock.

What is your vision for CVA?

My vision for CVA would be that it continues to be a leader in services and technology and can be a partner with producers to help them reach their goals in their farming operations. Member-owners should take pride in doing business with their company that has high integrity, a commitment to excellence, can redeem equity, and add value to their operations. Continually adjusting to changing market demands will always be an important issue. I would like to see CVA be a leader in new opportunities for producers going forward. 

Provide any additional information you would like to share here:

My wife Sheryl and I have three children: Elizabeth, Grant, and Valerie. We are members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Uehling, Neb. 

Type of farming operation: 

Grain: Corn, soybeans and alfalfa 

Livestock: Cow-calf and feedlot.

 

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors. 

I served as an associate director on Central Valley Ag’s board in 2018-2019. During that time, I completed the Director Certification Program. With my time as an associate, I was able to get an inside view of how the Board of Directors operates and the duties that are expected from the directors.

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?

I’m interested in serving on the board to give back to a cooperative that has helped my family make our operation successful. As a stockholder, I believe that it’s important for us owners of CVA to voice our opinions on what direction we want to see the co-op go.

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?

I listen to all sides of an issue and then try to decide what will be the best path to go for the long term future. I don’t make decisions based on emotion; rather, I use logic and reason to decide the best option for the future, even if there is short-term pain. I don’t get overly optimistic or pessimistic, but I try to be realistic about the pros and cons each issue presents.

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system. 

The cooperative system is very important in our farming communities. CVA provides competition that only helps farmers. It’s a unique system in that the customers are also the owners. We have a say in which direction the co-op goes and who represents them on the Board of Directors. This year has definitely shown how critical it is for there to be diversity, so the industries aren’t so monopolized, and producers can have more options in how they do business.  

What is your vision for CVA?

I believe CVA will continue to be a strong co-op that will persevere through the hard times and help farmers that they serve to have successful operations. I believe CVA should continue to focus on being diversified in agronomy, grain, feed, and energy sectors. CVA needs to continue to focus on cutting edge-technology while still giving the best customer service to everyone, even if the producer doesn’t use the newest technology like myself.

Provide any additional information you would like to share here: 

I started to farm and raise cattle full time with my dad on the family operation about ten years ago after serving in the military. Four years ago, I was able to buy a medium sized feedlot to expand the operation.  Needless to say, it’s been interesting.

Type of farming operation:

Grain: Corn and Soybean operations, most years a 50/50 rotation. 

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors.

I have been involved in farming my whole life, but along with that I also taught school and coached for 32 years in York, NE. After taking an early retirement, I was asked if I would remain on the coaching staff and coach, which I still do today. I also have been on various boards and committees through the years, serving 15 years on the church council. I have learned being a board member, of any board, you learn how things are run throughout the organization. I have served on the CVA board now for 9 years and really enjoy the challenges that have been put forth in front of us. The first merge I was associated with was UFC and CVA. Then the addition of our Iowa locations, Farmway in Kansas and Henderson coop.

I have also completed the "Director Certification Program " with the addition of part 5 of the series. This program was an excellent series that helps directors fully understand our ever changing responsibilities. Other events that I have attended throughout the past year would be ACCC Symposium and KCC Leadership program in Manhattan, KS, AGP annual meeting, CHS annual meeting, Cooperatives for Tomorrow, CoBank customer meeting and AGS - Advanced Governance Series for coop directors.

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?

I feel that being a member of the Board of Directors can help determine the direction of the cooperative for the future. Decisions made today will help direct our cooperative in the future. To me, it's a very exciting time to be part of CVA and the challenges awaiting us in the future. 

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?

I feel that to be a good director one has to have good listening skills both at the board meetings and to the patrons and employees of our cooperative. One has to be able to read and understand financial statements for the decision-making process and finally a good director needs to continually seek out training programs to enhance their skills. With all of the qualities stated and the current experience of being a director, I feel I have those qualities to be a director.

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system.

The cooperative principles have been around for many generations. Cooperatives are owned and controlled by their members and patrons. Anyone in agriculture may join a cooperative and use it services, but are still not obligated to buy from that cooperative. Business has to be earned. Our patrons all have an equal vote, regardless of their volume of business, on the direction of the cooperative. Patronage refunds, returned to members are in proportion to their use of the cooperative. These are all reasons we all need to keep in mind why cooperatives work.

What is your vision for CVA?

To remain the strong cooperative we are, yet build for the future, and being the leader in new technologies, marketing options, and agronomy practices. Be the cooperative that our patrons want to do business with. 

Type of farming operation:

Grain: Seed corn, corn, soybeans and hay.   
Livestock: Show cattle and cow herd.

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors.
I have been on a cooperative board for a combined 14 years. I served one year with Utica, two years with Shelby and 11 years with CVA. I went to cooperative council training to help me understand the co-op system better. I like to talk and listen to people and will speak up for all patrons, large and small. I have also been spending time working with the Seward County Ag Society Board.

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?
I’m proud of the cooperative. I do all my operation’s business with CVA, and I want to ensure CVA is the best place to do business with including excellent service, technology, facilities and where employees are top notch! This will help us keep our cooperative and the communities it serves strong.

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?
I’m a good listener and I will communicate with others. I believe in honesty and accountability. I have been through the good times and the bad.

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system.
I believe we have the best cooperative in the country and the best employees. I want this to continue long into the future.

What is your vision for CVA?
I want to keep CVA’s bottom line strong to retire age-of-patron equity and rotate our 10-year equity as planned. We also need CVA to continue providing technology and great service to our customers along with making facility upgrades to help our producers.

Provide any additional information you would like to share here:
My wife, Yvonne, and I have three children: Trevor, Curtis, and Lacey; a daughter-in-law, Megan; and a granddaughter, Mattie, and grandson, Jace. I have been a part of the community for more than 40 years. I enjoy farming taking care of livestock with my two sons. I’m willing to take the time to be a board member.

Type of farming operation:
Grain: Corn, soybeans and seed corn.

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors.
I have been a past director on both the Ulysses Cooperative and United Farmer’s Cooperative Boards. I was past President of Surprise Public School and also spent six years in the United States Army.

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?
As the cooperative grows, I know farmers may feel that it is becoming corporate and like they have less of an impact upon decisions being made. I would like the opportunity to join the board and make sure their voices are adequately heard. The board is what makes CVA farmer-owned and helps bring concerns of the local customers to the forefront.

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?
I believe that I can bring a positive perspective to the board by having an open mind to other member’s ideas. I will also bring my own ideas to the board, as well as any other issues and concerns local farmers feel that are important to move CVA in the right direction. Talk about your passion for the cooperative system. I think the co-op is a wonderful business platform and am very proud to be a part of what I feel is one of the best cooperatives in the country. But I believe there are changes that can be made to make this platform even more successful.
What is your vision for CVA?
My vision for CVA is not necessarily to grow the company in size geographically, but to successfully increase the satisfaction of current members. Also to reach out to customers and inquire about why they are no longer doing as much business, or maybe none at all, and what CVA can do to regain their business.

Provide any additional information you would like to share here:
I grew up about three miles west of Ulysses, NE helping my parents on the farm. I graduated from Seward High School in 1981 and shortly after, I joined the United States Army until 1985. I then returned home to make the transition of taking over the family farm and have been farming ever since. I now live 1 mile east of Surprise, NE with my wife, Linda, whom I’ve been married to for 34 years. We have two sons, Devin and Kirk. Devin is married to Jherika and they have two kids Jaxtyn 3 and Brixtyn 4months currently doing what I did approximately 35 years ago - take over the family farm. Kirk is a registered nurse in Omaha at the Nebraska Medical Center.

Type of farming operation:   
Grain:  Soybeans, corn, milo and wheat
Livestock: none at the present time

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors.
I served on the Farmers Union Coop Board of Directors (Clay Center, KS) from 1995 until the merger with Farmway Co-op (Beloit, KS) in 2006.  I remained as a director on the Farmway Co-op board through the merger with CVA and am currently a director on the CVA board.  Throughout my tenure as a board member, I have had the opportunity to attend director development training through the Kansas Cooperative Council as well as through CHS. 

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?
I believe strongly in the ownership component of the cooperative.  Being involved in the decision-making of the cooperative is interesting to me, and I enjoy the challenge of advancing the business and keeping it viable for the future.

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?
After graduating from Kansas State University in 1991, I returned home to farm with my parents.  At that time, we had a diversified grain and livestock operation.  I took over the farming operation in 1993 after my father became disabled. During this transition, I learned about prioritizing, decision-making, and finding efficiencies as well as the value of having others from whom to seek advice.  Having other experienced individuals from whom I could learn was instrumental in my success, and seeking out trusted advisors continues to be critical to my business.  I also discovered the importance of learning from and listening to others.  Consequently, I find those traits critical to the success of any business.  I continually strive to learn and to improve my operation.  I am open to new ideas and am willing to adopt new practices and embrace new technologies.  I also have a strong desire to be on the cutting edge of new agribusiness opportunities.

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system.
I’ve grown up using the cooperative system.   I value the member-owner philosophy of cooperatives and the ability to have profits return to the owners.  Having those profits return to our owners allows money to stay in our local communities.

What is your vision for CVA?
My vision for CVA is for the business to remain profitable, to continue to invest in assets that benefit our owners and to have strong employees.  I want CVA to be a source of pride for both our employees and our member-owners.
 
Provide any additional information you would like to share here:
My wife, Kathryn, and I have been married for 22 years.  Together, we have two sons, Alex (18), who is a freshman at Kansas State University, and Jude (16), who is a junior at CCCHS. We are active members of SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Clay Center.  I have previously served on the Parish Council and assisted in teaching first grade religious education.  In addition to my church activities, I am a past member of the Clay County Extension Council and served on the executive board for four years.  I was appointed to the Lincoln Elementary School Site Council and completed a three-year term while my children were in attendance there.  I am also a lifetime National FFA Alumni Association member and currently serve on the Arthur Capper Advisory Council and the GN Bank Advisory Board.

Type of farming operation:

Grain: Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Alfalfa and Grass Hay.

Livestock: Beef Cows

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors.

Having been a director for several years, I have served on several committees and in my time as a director have seen many ups and downs in the co-op world.  I’ve also tried to better educate myself by attending workshops, regional meetings and cooperative informational meetings.  In the last year I have learned that unforeseen circumstances may well be a part of our future and we have to be ready for that.

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?

I’m excited about how far we have come as a cooperative and would like to do what I can to be part of our future by serving on the board.  I want to contribute to our co-op’s future and feel I have the ability to do just that.

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?

I feel that I am able to listen well and research new ideas, understand financials and not be afraid to explain how I feel about them.  In addition, I try to use the information I get from our weekly updates to keep the total picture of our co-op’s performance in mind and prepare for questions I need to ask as to our position.  It’s a never-ending procedure with our size and scope.

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system.

Cooperatives were formed because farmers wanted a better way to buy and sell what they needed as well as what they sold.  Being an owner of that business model had to be exciting for them then.  I still think that is very exciting.  I feel very fortunate to be part of a cooperative that is profitable, pays patronage, retirements and estates while adding improvements.

What is your vision for CVA?

We need to make sure that what we are and will become is adaptable and conducive to what our farmer customers need to be viable.  If we continue to do that, we will be successful.  This business is going at light speed right now and I feel we are constantly researching to stay on top of new and progressive ideas.  My vision is to see that we are the best at this.

Provide any additional information you would like to share here:
My wife Mary and I belong to the Narka Presbyterian Church.  Our daughter and son are both married and we have four delightful grandsons.  
 

Type of farming operation: 
Grain: Corn and Soybeans
Livestock: 200 cow/calf operation 

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors. 

I have worked in an elevator and on the farm so I know how the labor-end works at a cooperative. I have also served as an Associate Director for Central Valley Ag so I’m looking forward to learning more about the business side as a full-time director.

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?
I am interested in learning the ins and outs of the cooperative system and how to run a business in a profitable fashion.

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors? 
I am approachable and enjoy learning. While on the board, I want to learn as much as possible so that I can bring better value to the board. I am coming from the other side of the cooperative system so I understand how things work on the farm and I look forward to better understanding the co-op system and the decisions this board has to make.

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system and vision for CVA 

I am passionate about making the cooperative a better place and experience for all the farmer-owners. I want to make decisions that are going to better our cooperative for all its owners and communities that our co-op participates in.

What is your vision for CVA? 
My vision for CVA is to serve the member-owners of the cooperative as if they were my own family and they can know CVA is a trustworthy cooperative.

 

Type of farming operation: 
Grain: Wheat, grain sorghum and soybeans 

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors. 
Graduating from Kansas State University with a B.S. in agronomy has allowed me to work in multiple jobs within the ag industry. I worked in agronomy sales for a couple of years and have been a crop insurance adjuster for the past 12 years along with operation our own small family farm for the past 13 years. 

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?
A local voice on the board is important because CVA covers a very large trade territory. I look forward to learning more about the benefits of the cooperative system. 

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors? 
Growing up in production agriculture has instilled a strong work ethic in me. I have also experienced the ups and downs of farming.

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system and vision for CVA 
CVA is always looking to benefit their member-owners. With more specialty crops being grown, the cooperative is going to continue to be important in helping producers find these niche markets. 

What is your vision for CVA?
CVA needs to always be on the forefront of agriculture. I feel that agriculture is going to continue to change at a very rapid pace in the near future. 

Provide any additional information you would like to share here:
I have been married to my wife, Lori, for 13 years and we are blessed with two children, Caden, age 11, and Libby, age 8.