CHESTERFIELD, MISSOURI, U.S. — The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) promoted Rachel Orf to director of stewardship and sustainability.  Focusing on areas of public prominence such as water quality and conservation, Orf will lead efforts to bring farmers together for conversations and action to improve the health of air and water in the U.S.

“Rachel has served U.S. corn farmers effectively for years, and her promotion demonstrates a recognition of the quality of work she has become known for over that time,” said Paul Bertels, vice-president of production and sustainability at the NCGA.  “Coming from a farm family, she understands the grassroots because she truly is the grassroots. At the same time, her education and experience have elevated her leadership on some of the most important consumer-facing issues in ag today. We are excited to see how her work in this new role will further American ag.”

In this role, Orf will continue to supervise the National Corn Yield Contest (NCYC) and will become the staff lead for NCGA’s new Stewardship Action Team. Orf has worked at NCGA since 2012, serving as the manager of the NCYC and most recently took responsibility for NCGA’s activities related to water quality. Her work has encompassed issues of water and air quality, as well as general conservation, for years.

“NCGA’s strategic plan placed a new, more prominent focus on environmental issues in response to the societal shifts we recognized changing the world around us,” Bertels said.  “Rachel brings a thoughtful dedication to these issues that carefully considers the role of agriculture in sustainability issues while always respecting the importance of the economic stability of America’s family farms.”