Groundwork

Cultivating the Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow

GROUNDWORK is a year-long leadership development program designed for young cooperative farmer members who are interested in becoming active, informed leaders within their agricultural cooperatives. The program combines agricultural education, leadership development, and advocacy training to prepare participants to engage confidently at the cooperative, state, and national levels.

Participants take part in a series of in-person and virtual experiences throughout the year. The program begins with a virtual introduction in August, followed by an in-person seminar in November in Kearney. This session features presentations and discussions with national agricultural and cooperative thought leaders, as well as Nebraska cooperative leaders, and includes a networking reception and a cooperative CEO and Directors Panel.

In the spring, participants travel to Lincoln for a Cooperative Day at the Capitol, where they learn how policy is made in Nebraska, engage with state senators, observe legislative floor debate, and attend a committee hearing. During the year, the cohort also participates in two virtual meetings focused on current and emerging agricultural issues.

The program culminates with a summer trip to Washington, D.C., where participants meet with government relations teams from regional and national cooperatives, visit the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate Chambers while in session, meet with Nebraska’s congressional delegation, attend the Nebraska Breakfast, and tour historic landmarks.

GROUNDWORK is supported by the efforts of local Nebraska agricultural cooperatives that are members of the Nebraska Cooperative Council, by the Nebraska Cooperative Council,  and the Nebraska Cooperative Council Education Foundation.

The Council is pleased to announce that for the 2026-27 Groundwork program, the Nebraska Cooperative Council Education Foundation has received a $12,000 grant from the CHS Foundation through its 2026 Cooperative Education Grants Program.

The CHS Foundation is funded by charitable gifts from CHS Inc., a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives. The CHS Foundation is focused on developing ag leaders for life. The CHS Foundation achieves its’ goals through strategic initiatives including advancing understanding of the ag cooperative business model, cultivating student success through university partnerships, and growing high-impact ag leadership programs. For more information on the CHS Foundation programs, visit chsfoundation.org.