Washington, D.C. (July 15, 2025)—Duane Simpson yesterday assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC), succeeding longtime CEO Chuck Conner. His first day on the job came as more than 100 leaders from farmer-owned cooperatives across the country descend on Washington, D.C., for NCFC’s annual Washington Conference and fly-in, which will include meetings at nearly 160 congressional offices.
“Thank you for this opportunity to lead NCFC into a new era,” Simpson said today, addressing meeting attendees for the first time. “I look forward to working with the NCFC team and all of you to build on our policy success—most notably the recent victory in making Section 199A for co-ops permanent—and to ensure that the organization evolves to meet the changing needs of co-ops around the country.”
The 2025 NCFC Washington Conference brings together farmer-directors, co-op executives, and senior staff from across the country to engage directly with policymakers on issues that matter most to agriculture. These include solutions for the agricultural workforce crisis, work on the remaining parts of the farm bill not addressed in budget reconciliation, and safeguarding access to global markets through a strong trade agenda.
The NCFC fly-in will continue through Wednesday, July 16, with meetings across both chambers of Congress as well as with key officials in the administration. NCFC members represent a broad spectrum of American agriculture—from grain and dairy to fruits, vegetables, and livestock—making their unified voice one of the most powerful in food and farm policy.
“The success of the NCFC staff in shaping public policy ultimately rests with all of you,” Simpson told attendees. “That is why you being here is so important and why it is vital for all of you to continue to build relationships with policy makers when you return home. I want NCFC to be a partner in these efforts moving forward.”
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.
