Q&A with Jim Stuever of the MFA Oil Board of Directors
July 27, 2026
Written By Adam Buckallew
Jim Stuever is a lifelong resident of Stoddard County, Mo., and has farmed near Dexter and Bernie since 1974. He and his wife, Pam, live near Dexter and have five children and six grandchildren. Stuever has been an active supporter of church, agriculture and community organizations throughout his life. He has served in leadership roles on the Bernie School Board, Stoddard County Soil and Water Conservation District, Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, U.S. Grains Council Board of Directors, Elk Township Road District (treasurer), Knights of Columbus, and Parish Council, and he has been a delegate for MFA Oil for several years. He was elected to the MFA Oil Board of Directors in August 2025.
Q: How would you describe yourself and your farming operation?
A: I have been dedicated to farming in one fashion or another nearly my entire life and have enjoyed every step. I am currently involved in row-crop production in Stoddard County, including cotton, corn, wheat and soybeans.
Q: Why did you decide to serve on the MFA Oil Board of Directors?
A: An unexpected opening occurred with the sudden passing of former board member Doyle Oehl. I have served on many different and wide-ranging community and service boards. The local MFA Oil employees approached me to apply for the position. Their encouragement prompted my decision, and the delegates backed that up. MFA Oil has been a valued partner for my operation’s success, and I am excited to be a part of the board.
Q: MFA Oil has served the needs of its members for nearly 100 years. Why do you believe the cooperative remains an essential service for its farmer-owners?
A: There are still many challenges in agriculture, and they have changed over the past 100 years. MFA Oil has adapted over time to provide solutions and services, and I expect the cooperative will find ways to improve service while continuing to provide quality fuels and lubricants in the future.
Q: What do you view as the most crucial issue MFA Oil is facing?
A: MFA Oil has many important aspects to its business thanks to the strong diversification it has developed over the last nearly 100 years to ensure the success of the cooperative. Service to the members remains at the top, just as it was when the cooperative was founded. Confronting change and making good, solid, consistent decisions to ensure quality products and service are just as crucial today as they were then.
Q: You have had the opportunity to serve on the board of directors for many farming organizations. What did you learn from those experiences that you’ve been able to apply to your role on the MFA Oil Board of Directors?
A: It takes everyone. That’s why they call it a board. The many thoughts, experiences, achievements, failures are all put in a room at the same time. Sometimes it seems like chaos, but from that chaos, consensus always seems to flow. We have all heard the axiom “two heads are better than one.” I have found it takes a lot more than that. For instance, a certain proposal can be something that most people agree on at the start but then it turns out that no one wants it. That also works the other way, too. The important part is the good, solid, consistent decisions that evolve to guide the organization or company.
ABOVE IMAGE: Dazzle Photography by Amanda Sly