The Nebraska Grain and Feed Association (NEGFA) will be dissolving after 125 years of service to Nebraska’s commercial grain and animal feed manufacturing businesses.
Throughout the 125 years, the Association represented and served as a home for Nebraska’s lumber, livestock, and ethanol businesses before each industry evolved and formed its own association.
The decision to dissolve the long-standing association wasn’t an easy or quick one for the board.
“We spent the last year and a half probably discussing options for the future of the organization, and really what it came down to was a solvency issue,” said Blake Mackey, of Sidney and vice president of NEGFA. “We didn’t have enough money to operate really any further than this year.”
The financial issues were exacerbated by the Covid Pandemic. NEGFA, like other organizations, saw its fundraising activities and events cut short. The association also had to admit the members, and their needs were changing.
“It felt like we didn’t get a lot of people to attend, and dues were a large part of our revenue also. We just didn’t have a lot of engagement,” he said. The organization looked at other options like cutting costs, but it was agreed, they couldn’t be very effective, running so lean.
Before the final decision, the group did surveys, member visits, discussions with similar groups, and the board did brainstorming and discussions. On March 10, 2021, the Board of Directors voted to dissolve the Nebraska Grain and Feed Association.
“We, felt for the membership probably the best thing to do was dissolve this organization and have some ideas for some other organizations they can join to still get some training and resources,” he said.
Members attended a virtual special member meeting on April 22 to hear from the board the timeline and processes discussed, which ended with the board’s decision to dissolve.
The NEFGA Golf tournament will be the organization’s final event. It will be in Ashland on June 4. It will have sponsors, hole prizes, and NEFGA would like to see as many members as possible show up for the final sendoff. The public is also welcome to the golf tournament.
For more information, on the tournament contact Kristi Block at 402-476-6174.
