The Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) elected four farmers to serve in leadership roles at the recent board meeting on August 20. The leadership roles are effective immediately and are yearlong in duration, with the possibility of being reelected.
Brandon Hunnicutt, District 3 director, was elected as chair of NCB. Hunnicutt farms near Giltner with his father and brother. On his farm, Hunnicutt grows corn, white corn, non-GMO corn, popcorn and soybeans. He earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from UNL and has served on the board since 2014. Hunnicutt has also served on the National Corn Growers Association board of directors, Field to Market and in various national leadership roles.
Andy Groskopf, District 8 director, was elected vice chair of the board. Groskopf farms near Scottsbluff, where he farms irrigated corn and dry edible beans. He has been farming for over 20 years and is the fourth generation managing the family farm. He attended Western Nebraska Community College for automotive technologies. Groskopf has been with NCB since 2018.
Ted Schrock, District 5 director, was elected secretary/treasurer of the board. Schrock farms near Elm Creek where he farms with his father, brother, uncles, cousins and son where they grow corn, soybeans, alfalfa, wheat and run a cow-calf operation. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Schrock has served on NCB since 2018.
Jay Reiners, At Large director, assumes the role of past chairman of the board after serving three consecutive terms as chairman. Reiners farms near Juniata, where he grows field corn, seed corn and soybeans. He has been farming for over 30 years and is the fourth generation managing the family farm. He graduated with an associate’s degree in general agriculture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). Reiners has been with NCB since 2017.
“I congratulate the board members elected to leadership positions this year,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, executive director of NCB. “Looking to the past, our leadership has been top tier, and this year is no exception. This year’s executive team will be leading the third largest corn-producing state in the nation and new programs that will benefit Nebraska’s corn producers. I’m looking forward to the year ahead with leadership.”
The full board is comprised of nine corn farmers from across the state. Eight members represent specific Nebraska districts and are appointed by the Governor of Nebraska. The Board elects a ninth at large member. Board members serve three-year terms with the possibility to be reappointed.