EATON, CO. — Trustees of the National Onion Association (NOA) have elected Barry Vculek, owner of Four Star Ag in Oakes, North Dakota, as its incoming president for the 2026–2028 term. Vculek succeeds Jared Gutierrez and brings decades of hands-on farming experience, industry leadership, and policy engagement to the role.
Vculek’s agricultural roots run deep. By seventh grade, he was already managing 500 acres—land he continues to farm today. He now oversees approximately 1,000 acres, with onions becoming his primary focus in 2008 following a transition from potato production. What began as a crop shift has become a long-term commitment to onion production and industry advancement.
A member of the National Onion Association for nearly 13 years, Vculek has served on the NOA executive board and is a regular participant in the association’s annual Washington, D.C., Fly-In. He cites food safety and international onion trade—both imports and exports—as top priorities during his presidency.
“Food safety and international trade are among the most pressing issues facing U.S. onion growers today,” Vculek said. “The NOA exists to represent and protect the interests of domestic producers. That mission has to stay front and center. I plan to work closely with our executive committee and membership to navigate these challenges and keep the industry moving forward.”
Vculek also emphasized the importance of grower engagement in shaping effective policy. “The legislative work NOA has done in recent years has delivered real results, but that only happens when growers are involved,” he said. “I want to see more members participate, speak up, and help influence policies that affect our farms and our future.”
In addition to his agricultural work, Vculek maintains strong relationships within North Dakota’s political community. He notes that experience gained through NOA advocacy efforts has reinforced the value of direct outreach to policymakers. “Federal processes can move slowly, but engagement from elected officials can make a meaningful difference,” he said.
Vculek and his wife, Robin, have two daughters—Larissa Vculek, an airline pilot, and Bree Vculek, a patent attorney based in Washington, D.C. As he steps into the NOA presidency, Vculek brings a farmer-first perspective shaped by decades in the field and years of industry advocacy.
