San Antonio, Texas — The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) today recognized three exceptional leaders during its 2026 Annual Meeting, honoring individuals whose dedication and leadership have strengthened farmer-owned cooperatives and rural communities across the country.
Lance Shedden Named Inaugural Emerging Leader Award Recipient
Lance Shedden, a dairy farmer from Bradford County, Pennsylvania, and board member of Maola Local Dairies, was named the inaugural recipient of NCFC’s Emerging Leader Award.
The Emerging Leader Award recognizes cooperative members who represent the next generation of leadership within the cooperative system. Shedden has quickly become an engaged and respected voice within his cooperative, serving first on Maola’s Leadership Council before being elected to its Board of Directors. On his family’s dairy operation, he has helped implement innovative animal care, sustainability, and technology practices that strengthen both farm performance and the broader dairy community. He is also actively involved in agricultural education and community outreach, helping build the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Kevin Still Named Robert B. Engel Farmer Cooperative Manager of the Year
Kevin Still, President and CEO of Keystone Cooperative, was honored as the 2026 Robert B. Engel Farmer Cooperative Manager of the Year.
Still has dedicated more than four decades to his cooperative, including 36 years as President and CEO, leading a $3 billion organization serving farmers across three states and employing more than 2,000 people. Throughout his tenure, he has delivered strong financial performance while guiding the cooperative through strategic growth and transformation to meet evolving farmer needs. He is widely respected for building a culture of excellence and maintaining an unwavering focus on delivering value to farmer-owners.
Dan Schurr Named Farmer Cooperative Director of the Year
Dan Schurr, former chairman of CHS Inc., was recognized as NCFC’s 2026 Farmer Cooperative Director of the Year.
Schurr served nearly two decades on the CHS Board of Directors, including eight consecutive years as Board Chair. During his tenure, he helped guide the cooperative through significant leadership transitions, strengthened board governance practices, and championed strategic initiatives to position the organization for long-term success. He has also been a tireless advocate for farmer cooperatives at the state and national levels and a mentor to emerging cooperative leaders across the country.
“These award recipients reflect the strength, resilience, and forward-looking leadership that define farmer cooperatives,” said NCFC President and CEO Duane Simpson. “From emerging leaders to seasoned executives and board directors, each of these individuals has made a lasting impact on their cooperative, their members, and rural America.”
The awards were presented during NCFC’s Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, where cooperative leaders from across the country gathered to discuss policy, governance, and the future of farmer-owned businesses.
About NCFC
Since 1929, NCFC has been the voice of America’s farmer cooperatives. Our members are regional and national farmer cooperatives, which in turn consist of more than 1,600 local farmer cooperatives across the country. NCFC members also includes state and regional councils of cooperatives. Farmer cooperatives allow individual farmers the ability to own and lead organizations that are essential for continued competitiveness in both the domestic and international markets.
America’s farmer-owned cooperatives provide a comprehensive array of services for their members. These diverse organizations handle, process and market virtually every type of agricultural commodity. They also provide farmers with access to infrastructure necessary to manufacture, distribute and sell a variety of farm inputs. Additionally, they provide credit and related financial services, including export financing.
Learn more at www.ncfc.org.
