About Us

My farm operation includes irrigated corn and soybeans in York County, Nebraska. 

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 seven years and the Polk County Recreation Association (Ryan Hill) for ten 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.

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.   

 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.

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 remarkable 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. 

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. 

My wife, Terri, and I have three children: Creighton, Landry, and Beckett.

My farm operation includes corn, soybeans, cereal grains and alfalfa in Plymouth County, Iowa. I also have a cattle feeding and finishing operation. 

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, Regional Council for Land O'Lakes and the Akron Community Theatre.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

My wife, LeAnne, and I live on a feedlot east of Akron, Iowa. We have three children: Sam (18), Ben (16), and Elizabeth (12). 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. 

My farm operation includes dryland, no-till farm operated in conjunction with my parents, produces soybeans, wheat, milo, corn and forage crops. A cow-calf complements the crop operation. 

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 my wife and I are raising our children there also. 

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.  

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 and discussion.

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. 

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.

My farm operation includes irrigated and dryland corn, soybeans and alfalfa in Antelope County, Nebraska. We also raise registered angus cattle and hold our annual T-Bone Angus Bull Sale at Atkinson, Neb. 

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 seven years as a Board of Director, will help guide my decisions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I have been married for 11 years to my wife, Mary, who stays at home with our growing family. We are blessed to have a 7-year-old daughter, Camryn, a 4-year-old daughter, Kendall, and a 2-year-old son, Carson. We attend Faith Community Church in O’Neill where we help lead a small group bible study.  

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. 

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. 

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 been active in managing and growing our family farming operation for nearly 30 years. I hold a Bachelors Degree in Finance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I have served as Finance Committee Chairman for 13 years at our local Catholic church and school. I have also served on school board and led many local committees. 

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?
I am interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors to improve the value that CVA brings to our local farmers and to ensure that our communities served by CVA continue to grow and prosper. 

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?
Qualities that I possess that would add value to the Board include: attention to detail, good organizational skills, good communication skills, management experience, a goal-oriented focus and good follow-through. 

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system. 
I am passionate about providing the best value and service for farmers and shareholders, as well as the important role CVA plays in supporting our small communities. 

What is your vision for CVA?
My vision for CVA is growth - growth for our farmers that gives them the value and service they are seeking, growth that strengthens our communities, and growth for our shareholders. 

Provide additional information you'd like to share: 
I'm a 5th generation farmer in Antelope County, Nebraska. I am married to Anna and we are the parents of two children, Austin and Paige. We are active members of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Elgin. I am an alumni of Pope John XXIII Central Catholic High School in Elgin and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Our son recently graduated with an agronomy degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has joined our operation as the 6th generation. Our daughter is currently pursuing her professional degree in Physical Therapy at Creighton University. 

My farm operation includes corn, soybean, alfalfa rotation that is half irrigated and half dryland. We also have a cow/calf operation. 

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

My farm operation is irrigated corn and soybeans in Cedar County, Nebraska. 

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. 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?”

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

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.

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 and soybeans
Livestock: Red Angus cow-calf operation

Share the experiences you have had that will prepare you for serving on the CVA Board of Directors. 
I have taken board training through the Farm Bureau which was a year long. I have also been on the 4-H council which also taught me how to work with another board. 

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?
I have never wanted to stop learning about anything and wanting to be involved with community.  Having the opportunity to be on the CVA board of directors is one of the top placing I want to be. It is the place I can take everything I have learned and seen, and with the help of others, put it to work to help keep CVA the top cooperative.

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?
I am the person that likes to ask questions. I always like to know how I can help someone. I feel that is a great quality to have when being on a board. I also love working with people and being a team player. 

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system. 
From the large farms to the small farms, cooperatives are there for them. Having a network in place to fill the large farms orders and the time, and patience, for the little farms which needs more than products. A co-op is and should be the first place a farm should go for a helping hand.

What is your vision for CVA?
As I look at CVA, I see the opportunity to be the best there is. The one place that everyone wants to go, from the leading in precision ag support and top yield agronomy with every chemical and fertilizer to back it up. 

My farm operation includes a corn and soybean rotation in Monroe, Neb. I have worked with CVA my entire farming career of eight years so I have a strong relationship with the employees. I have also held leadership positions at my high school FFA chapter and local Church council. 

I am interested in serving on the board because I would like to help the cooperative that has served our family operation for years as well as to help it continue to grow and be prosperous. 

Growing up around computers and smart phones, I have a good grasp of the growing advancements in technology. I would like to see more of that implemented at Central Valley Ag. I also enjoy seeing the one-on-one basis between customer and employee that CVA has. Those growing relationships are what CVA needs to continue to pursue. The greater the relationship, the more positive the experience for both employees and customers. 

My vision for CVA is not only to continue to grow as a company, but more importantly serve customers as if we were a local cooperative as much as possible. 

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.

My passion is agriculture and CVA plays a big part in that. It is a place where we cando business and support our local economies while building equity in the company. It is important to find ways to grow in an ever changing industry, and the Coop is integral in identifying and offering the services needed to continue to grow and advance. The idea of “One member, One vote” gives all members a voice in how CVA makes decisions for the betterment of the local agricultural industry as a whole, instead of being independently driven.

My husband and I have a row crop operation and a poultry facility for Smart Chicken near Utica, Nebraska. We use CVA for agronomy products, grain sales and livestock feed. I have an appreciation for CVA's role in serving the producers and the community. Before moving to Nebraska, I was heavily involved in 4-H and helping my parents with their small cattle operation in Montana. As a teacher in the community, I have many opportunities to interact with producers about their operational experiences both with CVA and their competitors. My experience with both row crop and livestock production gives me valuable insight to serve on the CVA Board of Directors. 

As both a farmer and a chicken producer, I have a well-rounded understanding of the agricultural sector, which helps me address the diverse needs of our members effectively. My experience as a teacher also boosts my ability to handle tough conversations with empathy and clarity, making sure we have productive discussions even in challenging situations. I'm deeply committed to the strength and success of CVA, with a focus on strategic planning and innovation. My proactive approach to spotting opportunities and tackling challenges will help ensure the cooperative delivers maximum value to the communities it serves.

I'm passionate about the cooperative system because it strengthens farm communities by integrating local grain sales and sourcing inputs regionally. This member-driven approach lets producers directly impact their operations' development and success, creating a more resilient and supportive agricultural network. CVA also gives farmers a collective voice in government and policy discussions to address industry challenges more effectively. By being part of a cooperative, we have a platform to influence decisions that affect our livelihoods and drive innovations that enhance our agricultural practices.

My vision for CVA is to offer the most competitive services to our community by maintaining top-notch product quality and excellent service. I see a cooperative that not only meets but exceeds its members' expectations, driving innovation in our operations. By focusing on competitive pricing and having leadership that truly serves our farmer-members' needs, CVA can strengthen our local economies. Prioritizing continuous improvement and member satisfaction will help CVA lead the industry and set a benchmark for others to follow.

Alongside my work in row crop and chicken production, I teach at St. Paul Lutheran School in Utica. My husband and I have two wonderful children who actively help with our operations and keep us busy with their various activities. In our free time we explore God's great creation through hiking and travel.

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.

My farm operation includes corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and native prairie hay in Haddam, Kansas. We also have a cow/calf operation and beef feedlot. 

I graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Agronomy. I spent 5 years after graduation working for a major agriculture OEM in Marketing and Sales. I most recently returned home to join the family farm and have begun farming on my own.  My wife and I operate our own consulting business in addition to our farming operation. I also have had the opportunity to serve on our county Farm Bureau Board and City Council for the City of Haddam since returning home.

I am interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors as an Associate Board Member in order to gain a more detailed understanding of how the Cooperative model works as well as provides benefits to its members. As a young producer, I feel this is a great way to become more involved in a growing business that supports the communities in which it serves.

Being a young producer I feel I can bring a different perspective to the board.  I do my best to think through issues thoroughly before coming up with solutions and I am able to work well with others.

In today's fast-paced and ever-changing world of production agriculture, producers need services and resources to help them be more efficient and competitive in the local and global markets.  The cooperative system provides solutions and opportunities that help producers with the challenges they face.  

My vision for CVA is for the Cooperative to be the preferred partner of choice of the producers within its business territory, both today and in the future.

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.

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. 

My farm operation includes a cow/calf operation, background calves and develop and AI replacement heifers in Brown County, Nebraska. 

I served 5 years on Farmers & Ranchers Cooperative Board of Directors, completed all four phases of the director training from NE 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 the Nebraska LEAD Program. All these experiences will help guide my decisions.

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.

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.

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.

My vision for CVA is to 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. 

My family farm operation includes grain and livestock in Butler and Polk Counties. We grow silage corn (irrigated), yellow field corn (irrigated and dryland), and soybeans (irrigated and dryland). Over the course of seven years, I have built a 50-pair cow/calf operation that utilizes low BW Angus and SimAngus cross bulls on both commercial Angus and Simmental cows to produce quality feeder cattle and replacement heifers.

Why are you interested in serving on the CVA Board of Directors?
My entire life has been in agriculture. The entirety of my high school and college career has been to be an advocate of agriculture, even when certain topics were deemed controversial and unpopular. To me, agriculturalists need to stand firm and support the farmer in all cases, by learning and being a part of the CVA Board of Directors I will be able to support and advocate the tool of the cooperative system while also learning and understanding more of it from the inside.

What qualities do you possess that would add value to the CVA Board of Directors?
I know how to work with others and add to conversations when needed. I can lead, I have stepped up to leadership roles when the opportunity arises and have been voted into positions of leadership by my peers of all ages. I am a man of empathy and integrity; I like to look at a situation from all points of view before coming to a conclusion. I also like to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. Finally, I am a critical thinker. If placed in a situation I like to look at the facts and come to a conclusion as to how to resolve the problem, and when necessary, make revisions when a better option is available.

Talk about your passion for the cooperative system.
The cooperative system is one of the most important tools that a farmer can have at his/her side. A co-op allows for producers to come together to be more competitive in not only a regional or national market but also a global market. The co-op is like a hammer and nails, with the proper knowledge you can build a barn, but without knowledge, it is useless for the task. In the same way, a co-op is useless to a farmer if they do not understand how or why they work, but a farmer who knows how to use the tool of a cooperative can take advantage of the tool and use it for his/her own benefit.

What is your vision for CVA?
My vision for CVA is one that looks toward professional growth. This cooperative does a lot of things right and we should acknowledge that. This co-op is able to offer competitive commodity prices, seed, and chemical rates. We should be looking at these aspects and if there are any sectors of the cooperative that are not as successful, find out why and see if there are things that can be implemented from other sectors to make them more profitable so member-owners can in turn receive more.