Skunes Reflects on NCGA’s Work and Importance of Leadership

As the end of the current fiscal year nears, the National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Board prepares to seat new members and officers on October 1.  When the 2019 Executive Committee steps down, NCGA Chairman Kevin Skunes, a farmer from Arthur, North Dakota, will complete his term, passing the role of chairman to current NCGA President Lynn Chrisp.

The Off the Cob podcast series caught up with Skunes to discuss his perspective on his years in leadership, provided his insight into the future and explored how members can work together to make NCGA an even more effective advocate for farmers. 

To listen to the full interview, please click here.

Reflecting upon his time on the Corn Board, Skunes found many accomplishments to be important, such as the signing of the 2018 Farm Bill, getting year-round E15 sales over the finish line and ongoing work on trade. A humble leader, he notes that who was president of NCGA, at the time an accomplishment happened is not important. What is important is the work NCGA does collectively on behalf of farmers.

While he strongly believes that voices joining together is what creates NCGA’s strength, Skunes calls others to join, become active and take on leadership roles as it is essential to the success of a grassroots organization.

“My theory on involvement is that, if you want something done, you probably better tackle that project yourself. Yes, if you sit back, someone else might do it. They might do it the way that you would. But, if you feel that something needs to be done, and you feel the urge that it must get done, you probably better do it yourself.”