La Quinta, Calif. — The members of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives yesterday elected its slate of officers for 2025 at the organization’s 96th Annual Meeting in La Quinta, Calif.
Kevin Brinkley, president and CEO of Plains Cotton Cooperative Association of Lubbock, Texas, was elected chairman; Tom Astrup, president and CEO of American Crystal Sugar Company in Moorhead, Minn., was elected vice chair; Chuck Conner was named president and Marlis Carson was elected secretary/treasurer. The chair of NCFC traditionally serves two one-year terms; this would be Brinkley’s first term, as he succeeds Jay Debertin of CHS Inc. in the role.
“I would like to congratulate Kevin and Tom on their election to chair and vice chair of NCFC and look forward to working with them,” said Chuck Conner, president and CEO. “The next year will be a busy one for NCFC, with a new presidential administration, tax provisions needing to be renewed by the end of the year, a farm bill on the horizon, and a leadership transition within the organization. I look forward to working with Kevin and Tom on these and other issues in the months ahead.”
About NCFC
Since 1929, NCFC has been the voice of America’s farmer cooperatives. Our members are regional and national farmer cooperatives, which are in turn consist of nearly 2,000 local farmer cooperatives across the country. NCFC members also include 17 state and regional councils of cooperatives. Farmer cooperatives allow individual farmers the ability to own and lead organizations that are essential for continued competitiveness in both the domestic and international markets.
America’s farmer-owned cooperatives provide a comprehensive array of services for their members. These diverse organizations handle, process and market virtually every type of agricultural commodity. They also provide farmers with access to infrastructure necessary to manufacture, distribute and sell a variety of farm inputs. Additionally, they provide credit and related financial services, including export financing.
