Director Spotlight: Rick Osterday
Nov 17, 2022
Rick Osterday, along with his wife Sandy and their two sons and daughters-in-law, Blane and Liz and Clay and Erin, are the fourth and fifth generations to operate their family farm near Java, South Dakota. They raise corn, soybeans, spring wheat and hay, as well as run a registered and commercial cow herd and background feeders.
Being able to do something every day that he is passionate about and doing it with his two sons is what Osterday finds very rewarding and what he loves most about agriculture.
“You always learn new things daily. Recently, it was how to remove a rotor gear box on a combine,” says Osterday.
Osterday has been active in the governance of a co-op for 27 years.
“I get the privilege of serving on all of Agtegra’s committees, and I thoroughly enjoy being a part of the governance process for our member-owners,” states Osterday. “I have always been a strong supporter of local co-ops and believe in taking an active role in their governance.”
Osterday currently serves as Agtegra’s board president in addition to being the president of the Bowdle rural fire district. His past board service includes Dakotaland Feeds, SD Beef Breeds Council, SD Cattlemen’s Association, SD Shorthorn Association and Land O’ Lakes Executive Council. He also has attended four FCC Services director training classes and annual meetings of Agtegra’s industry partners such as CHS, Land O’ Lakes and CoBank.
The Agtegra board of directors utilizes committees to efficiently discuss key issues and make recommendations to the full board for its review and approval process. For example, the board finance committee is charged with focusing on Agtegra’s financial statements, the cooperative’s annual financial report and independent audit and bringing recommendations to the full board.
Some advice Osterday would offer to someone interested in being more involved within their co-op is this: there’s no doubt that it takes time, but being a part of an organization like this has been more rewarding to him personally than the time commitment.
Being able to do something every day that he is passionate about and doing it with his two sons is what Osterday finds very rewarding and what he loves most about agriculture.
“You always learn new things daily. Recently, it was how to remove a rotor gear box on a combine,” says Osterday.
Osterday has been active in the governance of a co-op for 27 years.
“I get the privilege of serving on all of Agtegra’s committees, and I thoroughly enjoy being a part of the governance process for our member-owners,” states Osterday. “I have always been a strong supporter of local co-ops and believe in taking an active role in their governance.”
Osterday currently serves as Agtegra’s board president in addition to being the president of the Bowdle rural fire district. His past board service includes Dakotaland Feeds, SD Beef Breeds Council, SD Cattlemen’s Association, SD Shorthorn Association and Land O’ Lakes Executive Council. He also has attended four FCC Services director training classes and annual meetings of Agtegra’s industry partners such as CHS, Land O’ Lakes and CoBank.
The Agtegra board of directors utilizes committees to efficiently discuss key issues and make recommendations to the full board for its review and approval process. For example, the board finance committee is charged with focusing on Agtegra’s financial statements, the cooperative’s annual financial report and independent audit and bringing recommendations to the full board.
Some advice Osterday would offer to someone interested in being more involved within their co-op is this: there’s no doubt that it takes time, but being a part of an organization like this has been more rewarding to him personally than the time commitment.