Agtegra Cooperative Holds 2023 Annual Member Meeting

Agtegra Cooperative held its annual member meeting on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. Management and board leaders discussed the cooperative’s performance and the vision for future growth. Agtegra also announced the results of the 2023 director and delegate election.

Fiscal Year 2023 Highlights

Agtegra Board President Rick Osterday chaired the official business meeting, which covered topics including the cooperative’s financial results, messages from management, election results and recognition of a retiring director.

Agtegra Chief Financial Officer Paul Forst provided a detailed overview of the 2023 fiscal year. Highlights included the year’s strong financial results, including $18.9 million local income, a strong balance sheet, and increased equity.

Business Outlook

Agtegra CEO Jason Klootwyk reflected on major accomplishments throughout the year, including expanding locations, supporting local communities, investing in and maintaining core assets, transforming organizational culture, and emphasizing safety in the workplace. These efforts to focus on safety have resulted in 13 Governor Safety Awards and 69 GEAPS Safety Awards, demonstrating Agtegra’s commitment to a safe work environment. Furthermore, Klootwyk highlighted Agtegra’s long-range strategic plan and priorities.

Director and Delegate Elections

Several members were elected to a three-year term to the Agtegra Board of Directors or Delegate Council:

District 1:

• Director: Glen Crawford, Aberdeen, SD
• Delegates: Gaylon Anderson, Aberdeen, SD; Kyle Anderson, Verona, ND; Morgan Holler, Pierpont, SD; Landon Kuecker, Webster, SD; Jordan Nitschke, Jud, ND

District 2:

• Director: Wallace Knock, Willow Lake, SD
• Delegates: Brian Eckmann, Cavour, SD; Steve Masat, Redfield, SD; Matt Micheel, Cavour, SD; Gordy Salmen, Madison, SD; Ryan Zwart, Colman, SD

District 3:

• Director: Steve Halverson, Pierre, SD
• Delegates: Drew Diehm, Presho, SD; Clay Fenenga, Hamill, SD; Jeff Messmer, Wessington Springs, SD; Katherine Porter, Highmore, SD; Adam Schindler, Reliance, SD

District 4:

• Director: Rick Osterday, Java, SD
• Delegates: Nathan Davis, Ipswich, SD; Brad Heyne, Hosmer, SD; Thomas Schaefbauer, Strasburg, ND; Gary Ternes, Strasburg, ND; Caleb Wiest, Herreid, SD

At-Large District:

• Director: Randy Sell, Oakes, ND

President Osterday also announced Jordan Nitschke of Jud, ND, and Scott Baumiller of Hazelton, ND, as the members appointed as nonvoting advisory directors on the board for 2024. He thanked members Jeff Messmer of Wessington Springs, SD, and Matt Micheel of Cavour, SD, for their service as nonvoting advisory directors on the board for 2023.

Agtegra also recognized retiring board member Quentin Larson, who served over 37 years on the board, and thanked him for his dedication and contributions to the cooperative, his active role in making decisions and support of the cooperative’s future direction.

At the board meeting following the 2023 annual member meeting, the Agtegra Board of Directors held its annual reorganization meeting and elected the following directors as officers:

• President – Rick Osterday, Java, SD
• First Vice President – Heather Beaner, Mellette, SD
• Second Vice President – Matt Johnson, Webster, SD
• Secretary – Steve Halverson, Pierre, SD