America’s Watershed Initiative: Rowing Together throughout the Watershed

February 20, 2025                                                                                                                                                            Contact: Kim Lutz, Executive Director, America’s Watershed Initiative
kim.lutz@americaswatershed.org

ST. LOUIS, MO–Rachel Orf, a relationship-building and stewardship expert with a background in agriculture at NCGA, was confirmed as the chairwoman of America’s Watershed Initiative (AWI) at their February meeting. America’s Watershed Initiative is a nonprofit organization based in St. Louis, and dedicated to serving as a trusted voice, connecting people, land, and water to secure a future in which the rivers and people of the Mississippi River Watershed thrive.

“It’s a privilege to serve in this capacity,” said Orf. “AWI is thriving and positioned for great opportunities, and I look forward to helping lead efforts that prioritize the well-being of the Watershed and its future.”

Orf is taking the helm from Rainy Shorey, a 19-year veteran of Caterpillar, Inc., currently serving as the global manager of product compliance & support. Within her two-year term as chair, Shorey aided the organization in the launch of the Mississippi River Watershed Partnership as well as an expansion of staff. 

Orf will serve for a two-year term, effective February 2025. As chair, Rachel will oversee the operations of AWI’s Board of Directors alongside the current executive committee: 

Vice Chair: Kirsten Wallace, Upper Mississippi River Basin Association

Past Chair: Rainy Shorey, Caterpillar, Inc. 

Treasurer: Charlie Hess, Brown & Root

Secretary: Yelena Rivera, Modjeski and Masters

“As a founding member of AWI, Rainy’s leadership played a pivotal role in grounding us in our vision for cross-sector collaboration, while also inspiring us to embark on a significant growth phase,” said Kim Lutz, executive director. “We are now honored to have Rachel step into the role of board chair, where her relationship-centered leadership will serve to strengthen our mission and presence throughout the Watershed.”

In her role as director of environmental stewardship at the National Corn Growers Association, Orf provides guidance throughout the membership organization which represents more than 36,000 dues-paying corn growers in 48 states, and the interests of more than 300,000 farmers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in their states. NCGA and its affiliated associations in 27 states work together to help protect and advance corn growers’ interests. She works with the affiliated corn states on on-farm methods, water quality, conservation, and soil health. Orf serves on the board of the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) and represents NCGA as a partner on Farmers for Soil Health, a USDA Climate-Smart Commodities Grant. 

Orf grew up on a row crop and livestock farm in Moscow Mills, Missouri, where she developed her love and passion for agriculture. In her professional life, Orf has worked for Monsanto, testing user-end software that was developed for the Sales Reps for use while out in the field. Orf started her career with NCGA as the manager of the National Corn Yield Contest and sustainability. In 2016, she was promoted to director of stewardship and sustainability where she became lead staff of the Stewardship Action Team and lead the organization in the development of a sustainability strategy and strengthened relationships with downstream partners. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business from Missouri State University with a minor in Agronomy as well as a Master of Business Administration from Lindenwood University.

America’s Watershed Initiative is a collaborative organization working with hundreds of businesses, government, academic, and civic organizations to promote the health of the Mississippi River— and the more than 250 rivers that flow into it— to ensure America’s Watershed remains viable for future generations. Learn more at AmericasWatershed.org.