Central Valley Ag Provides Growth Opportunities and Resources for York County Farmers

The United Nations named 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives and the York County Development Corporation (YCDC) can’t think of a better way to celebrate than by featuring Central Valley Ag (CVA). This cooperative is headquartered in York County and supports farmers in Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. Since 2003, it has been an advocate for the local farming community and an essential resource in the area.

“We take immense pride in being a cooperative and look forward to celebrating the International Year of Cooperatives throughout 2025,” says Mallory Shoemaker, Director of Marketing at CVA. “At CVA, we embrace the cooperative spirit to deliver value to our member-owners, and that mission is at the heart of everything we do. Cooperatives thrive on the principle of farmers coming together for the collective good, and that’s exactly what CVA stands for.”

Learn more about CVA and the work it does to support current farmers while investing in the next generation. Discover how this co-op does such an excellent job building up the people who feed America. 

Farmers Own the Co-op and Drive Its Mission

CVA is made stronger by its members, who play a direct role in shaping the cooperative’s future. As a farmer-owned co-op, its success depends on the engagement and leadership of its members. By electing a Board of Directors composed of farmers, members ensure that CVA’s values align with the needs of the agricultural community.

This member-driven leadership extends to financial decisions as well. The Board of Directors plays a crucial role in assessing the cooperative’s financial health and determining how profits are reinvested and returned to member-owners. Even though this co-op has locations across three states, the money stays within local communities and gets reinvested in projects that support farming efforts. In 2024, CVA paid $24 million in cash dividends to patrons, reinforcing CVA’s commitment to delivering value to its members.

CVA is run by industry experts who strive to help farmers maximize their return on investment (ROI). This means striking a balance between investing in more efficient farming methods, identifying ways to save money, and looking for opportunities to maximize yields.

“The ag industry is constantly evolving and so are we,” says Shoemaker. “We are committed to investing in cutting-edge technology that simplifies labor-intensive tasks and enhances efficiency. From research test plots and sustainability initiatives to the speed and space at harvest, we continuously seek ways to support our producers.”

For example, there are nearly 27,000 AgriTech companies worldwide. Identifying which ones can offer solutions that provide value to York farmers takes endless work. CVA strives to curate the best options and make recommendations based on the specific needs of the local industry.   

CVA Has Job Opportunities for People Passionate About Agriculture

CVA is a strong example of how a farming community like York County needs people with diverse skill sets. CVA employees work in agronomy, grain, energy, and feed as well as accounting, talent attraction, marketing, and information technology to support the organization. The people who are hired by CVA are passionate about helping others and want to see local member-owners succeed.  

“Working at CVA is incredibly rewarding because we serve farmers who form the backbone of our communities,” says Shoemaker. “Their work is vital, and we take pride in being part of their success.

York graduates who might not want to work directly on a farm can still stay in the community and support the local economy. Their efforts better equip farmers to make strategic decisions about their land, seed, and livestock.

“We see Central Valley Ag co-op members and staff all across the York County Community,” says Lisa Hurley, Executive Director of YCDC. “CVA is an asset because of how involved it is in the local industry. If one farmer has a problem, it’s likely that others in the area are facing the same issue. Together, we can work toward solutions.”  

CVA Has a Strong Education Footprint

Along with helping local farmers, CVA also has a large education arm that helps member-owners and community members alike. Its knowledge center features multiple podcasts, articles, and videos that are easily sorted by region and topic. A farmer looking for information on corn won’t get bogged down in content about wheat.

CVA also runs the website Growing Agriculture Together, which specializes in sharing resources for classrooms, homeschool environments, and community groups. This is invaluable for people who might not be directly involved in the farming industry but want to understand its impact.

CVA is happy to visit classrooms to discuss its work and farming as a whole. It offers tours to groups that want hands-on learning experiences. CVA also hosts Ag Awareness Day in York each year which brings farming talks to local schools. 

York Area Farmers Are Stronger Through CVA

Any York-area farmer can invest in their success by joining CVA and taking advantage of its programs and resources. If you aren’t sure whether this is a good fit, follow CVA on Facebook to learn more about what they do.

“York County has that perfect mix — great people, a hardworking mindset, and a business-friendly attitude,” says Nic McCarthy, Senior Vice President of Agronomy at CVA. “It’s a safe, welcoming place with good schools, affordable living, and strong community support. With a great location, solid infrastructure, and a commitment to growth, it’s a place where businesses can thrive, and families can put down roots for generations.”

Becoming a YCDC investor also benefits connecting with other industries in the region. You can meet business leaders in York County and work with others who want to grow this community. YCDC is happy to share resources, post job listings, and help people learn more about your company.

CVA shows that York County is stronger when we work together. Whether it is farming or economic development, we can get more done as one.