York, Nebraska — June 2026

In a move that consolidates the Midwestern agricultural landscape, Central Valley Ag (CVA) and Randall Farmers Co-op Union (RFCU) have officially moved to unify their operations following a decisive member vote.

The merger, characterized by leadership as a “member-led” initiative, was solidified on April 29, 2026, when over two-thirds of RFCU’s membership voted in favor of joining the larger Nebraska-based cooperative. The combined entity will retain the Central Valley Ag brand and maintain its corporate headquarters in York, Nebraska.

Strategic Impact and Footprint

The merger represents a significant scaling of resources, particularly for RFCU patrons. While RFCU has historically maintained a focused operational presence in north-central Kansas, CVA brings an expansive infrastructure spanning Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas.

The unified cooperative will provide a comprehensive suite of agricultural services, including:

  • Agronomy: Advanced crop production and soil management.

  • Energy: Fuel and lubricant supply chains for farm operations.

  • Feed & Grain: Expanded storage, marketing, and nutritional services.

Leadership Perspectives

The transition is being framed as a move toward long-term stability and generational growth.

“By joining with Central Valley Ag, we are ensuring continued service, stability, and growth opportunities for our patrons, employees, and communities. We believe this is the right step forward for the next generation.” — Nathan Greene, Chair of RFCU

Luke Carlson, Chair of CVA, noted that the merger strengthens the cooperative’s regional influence while adhering to its core member-owned values. Carlson emphasized that the larger scale would improve the organization’s ability to serve producers in an increasingly competitive global agricultural market.

Integration and Transition

As of May 2026, integration planning is actively underway. The boards of both cooperatives have signaled a commitment to:

  1. Employee Continuity: Prioritizing a seamless transition for the workforce of both organizations.

  2. Service Reliability: Ensuring no disruption in the supply of energy, feed, or agronomy products during the merger’s formalization next month.

  3. Local Presence: Leveraging RFCU’s localized expertise in Kansas to complement CVA’s broader regional reach.

This merger follows a period of heightened activity in the co-op sector, coming on the heels of recent USDA initiatives aimed at strengthening local farm co-op supply chains for institutional use. For stakeholders, this consolidation marks a strategic pivot toward increased operational efficiency and enhanced bargaining power for US fresh produce and Midwestern producers.

Editor’s Note: This report is based on official merger statements from Central Valley Ag and Randall Farmers Co-op Union, following the member vote on April 29, 2026. Supplemental industry context was sourced from regional reporting by Ciarán Daly regarding the cooperatives’ unified 2026 strategic rollout.