The primary giving entity of CHS Inc., the CHS Foundation supports programs in cooperative education, rural youth leadership, farm and agricultural safety, as well as scholarships for college students enrolled in agricultural and cooperative studies programs. In his role as Foundation president, Nelson also provides leadership for the New Leader Institute, a cooperative young producer program that has reached more than 2,000 young farmers and ranchers.
He also formerly served as president of The Cooperative Foundation, a private entity that supports cooperative-focused programs and projects. Nelson serves as a member of the National Council on Farmer Cooperatives' executive education committee, which directs the National Directors Conference for NCFC. He also serves on the board of trustees for the NCFC Foundation and the board of directors of the National Cooperative Business Association. He is chair of the President's Council and serves on the board of directors of the National Young Farmers Education Association. In addition, he is a trustee and vice chair of the Ralph K. Morris Foundation.
He has undergraduate degrees from the University of Minnesota, Morris, in sociology and political science, and graduate degrees from the University of St. Thomas (community education) and the University of Houston (studies of the future). Prior to joining what is now CHS in 1992, he served as a faculty member and administrator with the University of Minnesota for 13 years,. He grew up on a farm in central Minnesota and has received the Honorary American Farmer degree and the NCBA Honored Cooperator Award.
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