Scottsdale, Ariz. (February 10, 2022)–The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) has announced the recipients of the Farmer Cooperative Director of the Year and the Robert B. Engel Farmer Co-op Manager of the Year awards. The announcements came at the organization’s 93rd Annual Meeting being held at the Westin Kierland hotel in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Vermont Dairy Farmer Paul Percy Named Farmer Cooperative Director of the Year
Paul Percy, a dairy farmer from Stowe, Vt., and a board member of Agri-Mark, has been recognized as the recipient of the Farmer Cooperative Director of the Year Award.
“As the longest tenured director on Agri-Mark’s board, Paul brings the experience, dedication and sound judgment that this award is designed to recognize” said NCFC president and CEO Chuck Conner.
Often referred to as the “Idea Guy”, he is described as consistently thinking and coming up with unique ideas– many of which are implemented into real life action. As Agri-Mark noted in nominating Paul, he “has been so successful because he loves what he does. His dedication to Agri-Mark stems from his love and wanting to do what is best for his fellow farmer, cooperative and community.”
Percy and his family currently own and manage Percy Farm, a dairy and corn operation in Stowe, Vermont. Here, he raises over 800-head of dairy cattle and tends to an abundance of farmland throughout Stowe. This farm has belonged to the Percy family since 1930. He has also been active in his community and has long served as the Town of Stowe Lister.
“I would like to congratulate Paul again on being named the director of the year,” Conner said. “His dedication to Agri-Mark and his fellow member-owners has been strong and steadfast over the years and he serves as a model of excellence for farmer co-op directors across the country.”
Former AGP CEO Keith Spackler Named Robert B. Engel Farmer Co-op Manager of the Year
Former Ag Processing, Inc. (AGP) CEO Keith Spackler yesterday was named the recipient of the Robert B. Engel Farmer Co-op Manager of the Year Award.
“This award is not only meant to recognize individuals that oversee and manage their organizations effectively, but also those who provide impactful advocacy for the cooperative model, and I feel that Keith has accomplished both,” said Chuck Conner, president and CEO of NCFC. “Throughout his time AGP, Keith has demonstrated a strong sense of business judgment, work ethic and strategic leadership.”
During his nine-year tenure as CEO, AGP has experienced financial success, including numerous record earnings years. Some of these financial accomplishments include large increases in patronage of AGP ownership and commendable reduction of the company’s Long-Term Debt-to-Equity ratio.
Alongside his financial accomplishments, Spackler has provided extensive leadership in AGP’s philanthropy program. Under his leadership, the philanthropy program has refocused its support to giving to local charities and emergency first responder programs in the communities where AGP processing facilities are located.
Spackler has also been a champion of the cooperative system throughout his career. He has served as Chairman of the Graduate Institute of Cooperative Leadership (GICL) Board of Trustees. GICL is a research-informed education program for agricultural cooperatives.
“On a personal note,” Conner concluded in announcing the award, “it was a pleasure to get to know Keith as a member of the Executive Council during his entire tenure as CEO and I always valued his insight and counsel on a range of issues. I would like to congratulate him again on this well-deserved recognition.”
About NCFC
Since 1929, NCFC has been the voice of America’s farmer cooperatives. Our members are regional and national farmer cooperatives, which are in turn composed of nearly 2,000 local farmer cooperatives across the country. NCFC members also include 26 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.
