Three Farmer Leaders Recognized For Five Years Of Service As Delegates

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) recognized three farmer delegates for five years of service at the virtual 18th International Marketing Conference and 61st Annual Membership meeting in February: Brandon Hunnicutt, Dennis Vennekotter and Mike Wurmnest.

Hunnicutt is the vice-chair of the Nebraska Corn Board, having served on the Board for seven years. He recalled his work with the Council beginning not long after becoming a Board member.

“When I got on the Nebraska Corn Board, I went to the Council’s 54th Annual Board of Delegates meeting in Omaha, Nebraska,” Hunnicutt said. “The meeting was great, and I made sure I was a delegate for the Council soon after.”

In addition to being a delegate, Hunnicutt has served on the Middle East/Africa/South Asia Advisory Team (A-Team) since 2015. He also has participated in programs with the Council including a mission to Morocco and attending the Southeast Asia Buyers Conference in Cambodia.

“As MEA Chair, I got the opportunity to go to Morocco and learn more about what goes on with our work there. It was great to see how important an early investment into a region can cause big returns years later,” Hunnicutt said. “I also had the opportunity to go to the Southeast Asia Buyers Conference in Cambodia with an information-gathering side trip to Burma. Both were fascinating just to see what life is like in that region.”

Like Hunnicutt, Denny Vennekotter was also recognized for five years working with the Council. Vennekotter served on the Ohio Corn Marketing Board for eight years, including as vice chairman, chairman and past chairman.

While with the Council, Vennekotter has served on the Trade Policy and Innovation and Sustainability A-Teams. He has also participated in numerous corn quality rollouts and has hosted Export Exchange teams at his farm.

“One of the most memorable events was when I hosted a trade team from Central America to our farm. They were amazed at the combine because they did not know how we got the corn off the ear and stalk,” Vennekotter said. “Another memorable event was when a trade team from South Korea visited our farm and then, the following year, I visited South Korea on a corn quality rollout trip and was able to meet some of the same people at their places of business.”

Mike Wurmnest was recognized for his service with the Council as well. Wurmnest serves on the Illinois Corn Marketing Board as a director. His career in farming began in 1968 when he was still a senior in high school. Later, he received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Illinois State University. His family operates a Centennial Farm that his grandfather started in 1900. He raises corn, soybeans and wheat on his farm. He also does custom farming, tilling and backhoe work.

Please join us in congratulating these farmer leaders on their five years as delegates!

See other USGC members recognized for their service.