Cooperatives exist to serve their members’ needs. In agricultural cooperatives, farmer-members are an integral part of the business. Farmers are often founders of the cooperative, they do business with the co-op, and they are asked to lead the cooperative on the board of directors. Learn about how farmers lead their cooperatives in these video chats with farmer leaders.
Eric Nethero, Buckeye Valley Beef Cooperative co-founder
Farmer-leader Eric Nethero talks about farming, founding a cooperative business and working with other young farmers to grow a business. Eric is a founding member and officer with Buckeye Valley Beef Cooperative.
Eric grew up on a small family farm in Brown County, Ohio. In high school Eric served as the president of his local FFA chapter and was active in the county 4-H program. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s degree in business. After graduation, he came back to the farm to grow the crop and cattle operations and diversified the farm by adding a hog operation and finding new ways to market his livestock. In 2016, Eric and his wife Lori were founding members of Buckeye Valley Beef Cooperative, where Eric serves as the president of the board. He is also a member of several local organizations, including Brown County Pork Producers Association, Brown County Farm Bureau, Brown County Agricultural Society, and serves as a co-advisor to a local 4-H group.
*Chat with Eric Nethero Video Transcript
Erik Scott, United Producers, Inc. delegate
Farmer-leader Erik Scott talks about how working with a cooperative to raise and market high-quality beef has helped him grow his family’s farm. Erik is a delegate with United Producers, Inc. in southern Ohio.
Erik is a full-time farmer, along with his father, in southern Ohio, where he raises corn, soybeans, forage crops, hops, and beef cattle. He holds two Associate degrees in agriculture from The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute. He is a proud FFA alum and continues to volunteer with local FFA chapters and other agricultural organizations.
*Chat with Erik Scott Video Transcript
Craig Adams, Nationwide director (formerly a director and president of the board with United Producers, Inc.)
Farmer-leader Craig Adams talks about why he farms and how education and a strong work ethic contribute to a successful career in agriculture.
Craig Adams is the owner and operator of Adams Farms, which specializes in food grade corn and other row crops as well as livestock. He was elected to the Nationwide board in 2017. Craig is a former state trustee of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and is former chair and board member of the United Producers, Inc. cooperative. He is active in his community, having served as a supervisor of the Highland County Soil and Water Conservation District, board member of YMCA and Clinton Landmark, as well as a church trustee. Craig holds a bachelor’s degree in Production Agriculture from Wilmington College.