Steve Pfeifer Retires After 15 Years of Service to Agtegra Cooperative’s Board of Directors
Apr 07, 2026
For Steve Pfeifer, farming is so much more than caring for the land and livestock — it's about being able to pass that love for the land to the next generation. His belief in the future of agriculture is also reflected in his commitment to helping the next generation understand the importance of agricultural cooperatives, which he demonstrated in his 15 years of service to Agtegra Cooperative's Board of Directors.
In 2010, Steve was elected to the South Dakota Wheat Growers Board and continued to serve as a director for Agtegra. He also served 12 years on the McLaughlin Cenex Board of Directors, including five years as President, two years on the Hettinger Advisory Board and two years on his church council.
Steve was recognized for his years of service to the board at the 2025 Agtegra Cooperative Annual Meeting of the Members on December 17 in Aberdeen. Board President Rick Osterday thanked Steve for his dedication to the cooperative on behalf of the board, delegate council, management and Agtegra employees during the meeting.
"Steve has dedicated his life not only to his family farm but also to the cooperative and the agricultural community he cares deeply about. As Steve retires from the Board of Directors, his leadership and commitment leave a lasting mark. His vision—to ensure excellent customer service in grain and agronomy and to keep producers' needs at the forefront—has strengthened the cooperative and supported its mission. His dedication to helping today's youth understand the value of cooperatives reflects his belief in the future of agriculture," Rick said.
Steve and his wife, Deb, have built a cow-calf operation and raised wheat, corn, soybeans and a variety of hay crops over the years on their farm outside of McLaughlin, South Dakota.
"My great-grandfather came over here from Russia and started farming this land after the government opened the area for settlements," Steve said.
As the fourth generation on his family farm, Steve has witnessed many transitions in both farming and the economy over the years.
"When my wife and I started this thing, I only had $375 in my checking account. But at the time, I had more money than I ever had before," Steve said.
"Generational success means being able to transfer the assets you've created your whole life to the next generation and be wealthy with it, and then to have them create wealth with it, too, " Steve said.
Today, Steve and Deb manage their 1,000-head cattle operation, while their two daughters and their families oversee the day‑to‑day work on the crop side of the farm. Their daughter Ashley and her husband Justin have two kids: Gwyn and Grayce. Their daughter Arron and her husband Zach also have two kids: Axel and Hannah.
"My grandkids are the sixth generation to farm here — not everyone can say that," Steve said.
Steve not only takes pride in having Ashley’s and Arron’s families involved in the farm, but also in his ability to keep the operation going through difficult periods, such as drought years or the farm crisis of the 1980s.
"It would be nice to be able to show my grandfather what the farm looks like today," Steve said.
Steve loves being able to share his passion for farming and ranching with his daughters, their husbands and his grandchildren, passing down the knowledge and experience he’s gained over his many years on the farm.
"We're all on the same path, but sometimes, the kids have to choose the bumpy path and learn along the way," Steve said.
He's also passed down his passion for cooperative governance on to Ashley, as she was elected to Agtegra's delegate council at the 2025 annual meeting.
When reflecting on his time on Agtegra's board, Steve noted how much he will miss the camaraderie between board members.
"As a board, we got a lot done," Steve said. "And I just hope that I made a difference in somebody's life."
In 2010, Steve was elected to the South Dakota Wheat Growers Board and continued to serve as a director for Agtegra. He also served 12 years on the McLaughlin Cenex Board of Directors, including five years as President, two years on the Hettinger Advisory Board and two years on his church council.
Steve was recognized for his years of service to the board at the 2025 Agtegra Cooperative Annual Meeting of the Members on December 17 in Aberdeen. Board President Rick Osterday thanked Steve for his dedication to the cooperative on behalf of the board, delegate council, management and Agtegra employees during the meeting.
"Steve has dedicated his life not only to his family farm but also to the cooperative and the agricultural community he cares deeply about. As Steve retires from the Board of Directors, his leadership and commitment leave a lasting mark. His vision—to ensure excellent customer service in grain and agronomy and to keep producers' needs at the forefront—has strengthened the cooperative and supported its mission. His dedication to helping today's youth understand the value of cooperatives reflects his belief in the future of agriculture," Rick said.
Steve and his wife, Deb, have built a cow-calf operation and raised wheat, corn, soybeans and a variety of hay crops over the years on their farm outside of McLaughlin, South Dakota.
"My great-grandfather came over here from Russia and started farming this land after the government opened the area for settlements," Steve said.
As the fourth generation on his family farm, Steve has witnessed many transitions in both farming and the economy over the years.
"When my wife and I started this thing, I only had $375 in my checking account. But at the time, I had more money than I ever had before," Steve said.
"Generational success means being able to transfer the assets you've created your whole life to the next generation and be wealthy with it, and then to have them create wealth with it, too, " Steve said.
Today, Steve and Deb manage their 1,000-head cattle operation, while their two daughters and their families oversee the day‑to‑day work on the crop side of the farm. Their daughter Ashley and her husband Justin have two kids: Gwyn and Grayce. Their daughter Arron and her husband Zach also have two kids: Axel and Hannah.
"My grandkids are the sixth generation to farm here — not everyone can say that," Steve said.
Steve not only takes pride in having Ashley’s and Arron’s families involved in the farm, but also in his ability to keep the operation going through difficult periods, such as drought years or the farm crisis of the 1980s.
"It would be nice to be able to show my grandfather what the farm looks like today," Steve said.
Steve loves being able to share his passion for farming and ranching with his daughters, their husbands and his grandchildren, passing down the knowledge and experience he’s gained over his many years on the farm.
"We're all on the same path, but sometimes, the kids have to choose the bumpy path and learn along the way," Steve said.
He's also passed down his passion for cooperative governance on to Ashley, as she was elected to Agtegra's delegate council at the 2025 annual meeting.
When reflecting on his time on Agtegra's board, Steve noted how much he will miss the camaraderie between board members.
"As a board, we got a lot done," Steve said. "And I just hope that I made a difference in somebody's life."