Chad Franke – Candidate for President

My name is Chad Franke and I am running for RMFU President. I was born and raised on the five generation family farm northeast of Akron, growing dryland wheat and feed, along with a cow calf operation. I received a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University, then left agriculture for a number of years, working on airplanes, defense projects, and finally agricultural equipment designs. I returned to agriculture beginning with pigs for direct market, then Berkshire pigs for Whole Foods, along with some direct market beef and some hay. Finally I built and operated a feed mill selling to small producers. As our kids grew up and were not planning to return to the farm, my wife and I sold the farm near Roggen and moved north to Lander Wyoming.

I now make representing RMFU and it’s members my primary job. You have seen a lot from me on legislative and media fronts, but much of what the President does is not well known. As President of RMFU I also sit on the board of National Farmers Union, being voted onto the NFU Executive Committee each year, and serving as Vice Chair of the NFU Budget/Audit committee the past two years.  One of goals  I have worked to achieve is building relationships with other state presidents and organizations, ensuring that the NFU family is a good example of how we can all get along while having differing viewpoints.

I led several initiatives in the past three years, including the sale of the RMFU interest in Farmers Union Midwest Agency to Kansas and Nebraska Farmers Union chapters, the states where FUMA sells insurance. RMFU has recouped its initial investment and the sale proceeds have been designated by the RMFU board for similar investments should they be possible.  I also led the discussion which resulted in the RMFU investment in Farmers Capital Fund to invest in rural companies which will benefit agriculture and should provide a good return to RMFU on the investment.

I also worked as chair of the Farmers Union Service Association board with Kyle Bradley (FUSA COO) to ensure that the strength of our insurance agency continues. The expansion of sales into Arizona continues, providing increased sales and diversifying into a lower weather risk region.

I often say that our organization has the most amazing staff, and that strength continues to grow. It was with sadness and yet great appreciation that we learned CEO Ben Rainbolt plans to retire at the end of 2025, and finding someone to try to fill his shoes has consumed much of my time lately. I am looking forward to working with Tyler Garrett as the new CEO to continue to ensure RMFU is an organization that our members are proud to be a part of.

If you would like to learn more about what I do, and what I plan for my next term, please reach out or talk to me next time you see me!