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Advocacy

Creating champions, increasing engagement

Impact

At CHS, we know that governmental policies and regulations have an impact on business decisions. It is imperative that we educate policymakers about the impact of legislation, rules and regulations. With deep expertise and up-to-the-minute information, our government affairs team amplifies the voice of CHS and our owners so that the viewpoint of farmers, ranchers and rural communities is clearly heard.

Representing CHS and our owners

The CHS government affairs team represents CHS owners and stakeholders to the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. and state governments, independent government agencies, nongovernmental organizations and industry specific groups. Working at the forefront of policymaking, the CHS government affairs team ensures CHS is a leading voice engaging with policymakers who influence the decisions that impact agriculture, the cooperative system, and rural America. The government affairs team works with CHS owners and stakeholders to create a larger opportunity for CHS to engage and use its voice in the public policy discussion – a unified voice that is an industry leader.

U.S. Capitol during sunset

The team works to:

  • Protect CHS and our owners
  • Proactively advance CHS interests
  • Inform CHS decision makers about government initiatives important to their business
  • Influence external decision makers

Beyond influencing and informing, the CHS government affairs team is responsible for staffing the CHS Board of Directors Government Relations Committee and CHS Annual Meeting Resolutions Committee. If you have any questions about federal or state public policy please email us.

Your engagement

People connecting with policy. It isn’t just a phrase, it’s an action plan that strengthens the relationship between CHS and policymakers. The CHSPAC, the political action committee of CHS, provides employees and producers an opportunity to join with others to bring the CHS voice to the forefront. By voluntarily pooling their personal financial resources to support the CHSPAC, eligible employees and producers help elect candidates at the state and federal level of government, connecting and empowering the CHS community.

 

CHSPAC practices transparency and thoughtful consideration to identify and support candidates who understand and are sympathetic to economic and regulatory challenges facing the agribusiness, agronomy, and energy sectors. Led by an eight-member advisory committee, criteria are evaluated on an annual basis to guide the decision making to ensure a fair and non-partisan method of political giving. Participation in the CHSPAC is limited by the Federal Election Campaign Act, which governs the CHSPAC's activities and reporting requirements.

 

Contributions to CHSPAC are not tax-deductible and are completely voluntary. CHS will not favor or disadvantage anyone by reason of the amount contributed or a decision not to contribute. Copies of CHSPAC reports are filed with the Federal Election Commission and are available at fec.gov.

 For information on how to become a CHSPAC member, please email us.

Government in action

U.S. House of Representatives

Policy positions

  • Carbon trading markets
  • E15
  • Higher octane fuels
  • Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS)

Have a question regarding the impact of legislation on cooperatives and agriculture?

CHS resolutions committee
Producer priorities
Policy resolutions adopted by CHS producers
Two people checking on crops in a field
Developing future cooperative leaders
The CHS New Leaders political advocacy trips to Washington, D.C., with the CHS government affairs team provides an opportunity for current and future cooperative leaders to connect with members of Congress and administration officials about issues that impact our farmer-owners’ businesses and the cooperative system. The political advocacy program is designed for alumni of the CHS New Leaders Forum.