Agriculture Future of America is pleased to welcome six new directors to its board.
“AFA’s newest directors represent some of the country’s leading agriculture and food organizations,” said Mark Stewart, AFA president and CEO. “Some represent companies that are longtime AFA partners and others represent organizations that are more recent partners. All are essential partners in our mission to build bridges for young leaders to foster engagement and innovation in food and agriculture.”
New directors include Kip Tom, Tom Farms, LLC; Travis Becton, John Deere; David Nothmann, Valent U.S.A.; Scott Kay, BASF; and Rolando Flores, New Mexico State University. Steve Reno, Corteva Agriscience, agriculture division of DowDuPont, was re-elected to the board for another term. AFA’s board meets three times annually to provide strategic and fiduciary oversight and guidance for the organization.
“We are pleased to welcome the new directors to our board,” Stewart said. “We are excited for the leadership and perspective they will add to our organization.”
Retiring from the board are Carol Keiser-Long, C-ARC Enterprises; Thomas Payne, University of Missouri; Bob Timmons, John Deere; and Ben Kaehler, DowDuPont.
“As chair of the board, I am personally thankful for the service these leaders have provided to AFA over the years. They have provided insight and leadership as AFA has grown and matured as an organization,” said Russell Weathers, AFA Chair and former CEO. “I’m thankful to call them not only professional partners, aiding in the mission of AFA, but also personal friends.”
The AFA Board members are recognized leaders from food and agriculture corporations, education, associations, trade media and production agriculture. In total, the bylaws of the organization allow for 18 seated directors, which are divided into three classes, as well as, lifetime directors and a representative from the AFA Alliance, AFA’s young professional group.
AFA Board of Directors include the following: Jay Akridge, Purdue University; Travis Becton, John Deere; Daren Coppock, Agricultural Retailers Association; Kevin Eye, WinField United, a Land O’Lakes, Inc. Company; Rolando Flores, New Mexico State University; Pete Goetzmann, Archer Daniels Midland Company; Jamey Grafing, CHS Inc.; Geralyn Hayes, Bunge North America; Scott Kay, BASF; Sandy Kemper, C2FO; Mariner Kemper, UMB Financial Corporation; Ruth Kimmelshue, Cargill, Inc.; David Nothmann, Valent U.S.A.; Rodney Patterson, Farm Credit; Jacob Prather, Climate Corporation, AFA Alliance; Steve Reno, Corteva Agrisciences, DowDuPont; Gwyn Schramm, Monsanto Company; L. Joshua Sosland, Solsand Publishing; Mark Stewart, Agriculture Future of America; Kip Tom, Tom Farms, LLC; and Russell Weathers, Agriculture Future of America.