Communicating for America, a national non-profit organization, adheres to a simple, commonsense idea: rural people should enjoy all the benefits and representation that their urban counterparts do. That is why, year after year, our highest priorities are the issues facing our members and their families.
About Communicating for America
Our mission is to:
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Promote health, well-being and the advancement of all self-employed Americans and small business owners by utilizing our acquired experience in serving rural Americans
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Give members the right and opportunity to set policies and goals
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Deliver valued member benefits at the best price and of the highest quality
Members to date
72,139
As of April 2020
Our member adopted resolutions
For more than four decades, Communicating for America has fought for these resolutions. They are the pillars of what CA stands for, the issues around which CA members unite to create thunder and meaningful change.
Regardless of whether you are a producer, processor, wholesaler, retailer or most importantly, a consumer, your daily life is affected by American agriculture from the food you eat, to the clothes you wear, to the quality of life you live. CA will continue to promote an agriculture and consumer policy that encourages and promotes the well-being of family farmers, ranchers, small businesses and consumers in rural America.
CA will continue to work with all levels of government to provide incentives and programs for beginning farmers, ranchers, small businesses in rural America and self-employed individuals.
CA seeks cooperation between private organizations and all levels of government to promote community development that will enhance family farms, ranches and small businesses across America. CA supports new uses or renewable resources to fuel economic development.
CA seeks health care and health insurance programs that are administered and maintained by the private sector with legislation enacted only to ensure that all Americans are guaranteed a minimum standard of health care and insurance at a reasonable cost, regardless of health or age.
CA will work to ensure that agricultural land will be owned and agri-business operated by family farmers and ranchers.
CA will work to strengthen services vital to family farms, ranches, small businesses and the self-employed.
CA will make every effort to preserve and improve our education system, which is a vital asset to our country. Distance learning, apprenticeship training, and similar programs will improve the lives of our youth.
Expanding international understanding through international exchange programs, including apprenticeship training, will improve the lives of our youth in America and the world.
Knowing young people represent the future of America, CA supports activities that broaden opportunities for youth in all communities.
CA supports and endorses programs that will provide benefits to improve the quality of life for senior citizens.
CA supports improved guest worker programs and seeks to provide pathways for legal immigration to enhance the US agricultural sector, rural business and the overall strength of the US economy. CA further promotes international travel as a further pathway to international understanding.
CA Board of Directors
Stephen Rufer
Chairman and General Council
Stephen is CA’s chairman and general counsel. Stephen is a practicing attorney and lives with his wife, Sandy, in Fergus Falls, Minn. He is a certified civil trial specialist and is on the state Supreme Court roster of approved mediators and arbitrators. Stephen’s hobbies include biking, water sports and flying — he is a licensed commercial pilot and flight instructor. He has three adult children, Emily, Sam and Tom. Stephen is active in the community and is currently president of Lake Region Healthcare Corporation. He is also a past president of CA.
Patty Strickland
President & Chief Operating Officer
Patty is president and chief operating officer of CA, and has been with the organization since 1981. Because she has worked in nearly every aspect of the organization, Patty has the knowledge and expertise to lead CA as it continues to grow while providing members with the benefits and service they have come to expect.
Angela Nelson
Chief Financial Officer
Angela is the chief financial officer for CA and has been with the company since 2006. She has served on numerous non-profit boards in both oversight and management capacities. Angela’s no-nonsense approach and attention to detail coupled with her deep sense of commitment and passion for her work have proven to be a valuable asset to all the CA members. A Minnesota native, Angela currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband Les. She enjoys reading, going for motorcycle rides and spending time with her family.
David Ramey
Vice President
David is the owner, with his wife, Carla, and winemaker of Ramey Wine Cellars. He is also a consultant for Rodney Strong Vineyards in Sonoma County. Previously, David directed viticulture and winemaking for Rudd Estate and Dominus in the Napa Valley, and Chalk Hill and Matanzas Creek wineries in Sonoma County. David and Carla live with their children, Alan and Claire, in Glen Ellen, Calif., in the heart of the Valley of the Moon.
Mark Ritchie
Vice President
Mark is president of Global Minnesota, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization devoted to advancing international understanding and engagement. A graduate of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and Iowa State University, he served as Minnesota’s Secretary of State from 2007 to 2015. Since leaving elected public service Mark has led the public-private partnership working to bring the 2027 World Expo to Minnesota and he has served on the board of directors for LifeSource, U.S. Vote Foundation and Expo USA. Mark also is a national advisory board member of the federal Election Assistance Commission and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Minnesota. Mark is the appointed Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, representing Minnesota.
Bob Rumpza
Vice President
Bob is the president of Rumpza Consulting, founded in 2007. Bob has worked inside non-profit organizations, corporations and communications agencies. He formerly served as executive vice president of Weber Shandwick. He has two community service roles in directing AmeriCorps volunteerism in Minnesota. He is a member of the executive committee of the ServeMinnesota board of directors; and is board chair for ServeMinnesota Action Network. He is a University of Minnesota School of Journalism alumnus and is the winner of the coveted Silver Anvil of the Public Relations Society of America for his crisis communications work.
Milt Smedsrud
Founder and Chairman Emeritus
Milt is chairman emeritus and founder of CA. In 1972, Milt founded what was then known as the Creamery Association (CA) in Fergus Falls, Minn., to provide group purchasing power for farmers. The CA Scholarship and Education Foundation was established in 1981, followed by the CA Exchange Program (CAEP) in 1985. Today, CAEP is one of the largest training & internship exchange programs in the United States. He also owns and operates the Smedsrud family farm.
Friends of CA
Michael Braude
Former President of the Kansas City Board of Trade
Jon Wefald
Former President of Kansas State University
Bob Bergland*
Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Executive Director of National Rural Electric Association (1981-1995)
Robert D Ray*
Former Governor of Iowa between 1969-1983
Tom Daschle
Former Senator of South Dakota between 1987- 2005
Robert Lounsbury*
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture between 1972 –1987
Claude Pepper*
Former Florida Senator and Representative between 1963 – 1989
Charles L. Frazier*
Former Legislative Director, National Farmers Organization
Steve Ferguson
Board Member of the National Council of State Agricultural Finance Programs (Iowa)
Wayne Nelson*
Former President of National Association of Wheat Growers & President of Communicating for America
*Deceased