Director Spotlight: Jay Esser
Jan 31, 2025
Jay Esser is co-owner and operator of Esser Farms Inc., his family’s farm that has been in operation since 1932. Jay earned his business degree from the University of South Dakota in 1990 with an emphasis in economics. Upon graduating, Jay returned to the farm to join his dad, Ron, uncle, Charles, and cousin, Dan. When Jay’s dad and uncle retired in the early 2000s, Dan and Jay took over the farm and have farmed together ever since. Recently, Dan’s son, Nick, and Jay’s daughter, Alexis, have come back to help on the farm. Today, their diversified farm consists of growing corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa and finishing fat cattle.
Jay has been involved with the governance of a cooperative since 2010 when he first became a delegate for North Central Farmers Elevator. In 2020, Jay was selected as one of Agtegra Cooperative’s first nonvoting advisory directors. In 2022, he was elected to the Board of Directors to represent District 2.
"I love being part of the decision-making process. I like to ask questions and formulate opinions on topics specific to Agtegra. I want to be a part of a cooperative that is progressive for current and future members," says Jay.
Jay has served as a Director at Redfield Energy and is an Ethanol Action Team member for the National Corn Growers Association. He has also served as a member of the Redfield School Board.
Jay has served on Agtegra’s finance committee. His involvement on this committee makes him proud of the financing programs Agtegra has to offer.
“I’m a numbers person,” says Jay. “I like understanding and seeing the dollars and cents of the decisions made as part of the board and assist in making decisions to benefit the people of the co-op.”
Jay has been involved with the governance of a cooperative since 2010 when he first became a delegate for North Central Farmers Elevator. In 2020, Jay was selected as one of Agtegra Cooperative’s first nonvoting advisory directors. In 2022, he was elected to the Board of Directors to represent District 2.
"I love being part of the decision-making process. I like to ask questions and formulate opinions on topics specific to Agtegra. I want to be a part of a cooperative that is progressive for current and future members," says Jay.
Jay has served as a Director at Redfield Energy and is an Ethanol Action Team member for the National Corn Growers Association. He has also served as a member of the Redfield School Board.
Jay has served on Agtegra’s finance committee. His involvement on this committee makes him proud of the financing programs Agtegra has to offer.
“I’m a numbers person,” says Jay. “I like understanding and seeing the dollars and cents of the decisions made as part of the board and assist in making decisions to benefit the people of the co-op.”