Gov. Jim Pillen recently appointed Michael Bergen to serve as the District 3 director of the Nebraska Corn Board, representing Hamilton, Merrick, Polk and York counties. Bergen, from Aurora, is replacing Brandon Hunnicutt, from Giltner, who served on the board since 2014 and chose not to seek reappointment.
Austin Kniss, a farmer from Minatare, was elected as the at-large director for the Nebraska Corn Board. Kniss will represent the entire state in the at-large position. He is replacing Jay Reiners, from Juniata, who served as the at-large director since 2017 and chose not to seek re-election.
Bergen is a first-generation farmer who purchased his farm in 2007 and now raises corn and soybeans on irrigated acres in Hamilton County. He earned a degree in diversified agricultural studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Bergen has served as president of Hamilton County Corn Growers and on the Nebraska Corn Growers Association Board of Directors.
Kniss has farmed for 10 years, raising corn, sugar beets, dry edible beans and irrigated wheat. His family’s farming roots date back four generations. He currently serves as treasurer of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association Panhandle local chapter.
“Both bring strong farming backgrounds and a genuine commitment to Nebraska agriculture,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, executive director of NCB.
Matt Sullivan of Superior was reappointed to serve as District 2 director. Bergen’s position is effective immediately, while Kniss’s election was effective July 1.
