“It’s fascinating how the regional co-op, the local co-op, and the farmer work together to get the crop in every year,” says board president Craig Mold, adding, “I look at the co-op as an extension of my farming operation.”

Craig comes from a family of very active co-op members.  His grandfather was a charter member of Land O’Lakes®, and his father has served on various co-op boards. Craig was elected to the Pine City Co-op board in 1986 and served as its chairman through that organization’s merger with Central Rivers Cooperative. On the Central Rivers board and then on Federated Co-ops’ board, Craig held the office of vice-chairman. He currently serves as Board President for Federated.  He also serves on the Chisago County Soil and Water District as supervisor and on the Chisago County Planning Commission.

Craig and his son, Andre, grow corn and soybeans on their Rush City farm. In addition to a son, Craig and his wife Margaret, have two daughters and two granddaughters.

“If you spend money on a product you’re going to be using all the time, why not buy from a cooperative which you own, instead of a company whose owner is putting money in his pocket? When the customer is the owner, you’re putting the profits back in your own pocket,” reasons director Mike Wayrynen. Mike ran for the C.A.P. Oil and Propane board when his uncle retired from the board in 1988. He served as chairman for five years; and after the C.A.P. Tri-Co merger, he served as vice-chairman. He is currently vice-chairman on the Federated board.

Mike carried mail for 21 years and also operated an insurance agency which he purchased from his uncle in 1989. He has been married to his wife, Darla for 42 years. Their daughter, Ranae husband Jason and their son live nearby. Mike and Darla’s son, Matt, and his wife Kindra Live on the family farm. “I’m proud that Matt is the fourth generation to live on the farm my grandfather homesteaded,” Mike says. Mike sold his agency four years ago, but still works part-time. His daughter, Ranae, is also an agent there. Mike says, “I still enjoy working with my clients, but I enjoy helping at the farm in my spare time. It’s also been an honor and a pleasure to have served on your cooperative board for the last 28 years.”

Glenn Lood comes from a family of great cooperators who sold all their milk and marketed their cash grain through the regional co-ops. So when his Dad stepped down from the Isanti Co-op board, Glenn readily agreed to replace him. Having served on the Central Rivers board and now as a Federated Co-ops director, Glenn sees much opportunity.

“We have a very strong co-op and I can see great possibilities in both agricultural and energy marketing,” he states. “But we have to make sure we stay strong and don’t sit on our laurels.” Glenn would like to see Federated adopt more ground-breaking concepts, like the propane rail terminal at Cambridge. We have to look at the future and be innovative now that we’re a leader in our communities. Now, more than ever, we need to think outside the box to increase our market share and develop new markets for our products, and develop new products for our market.”  “We have the team and the resources and ability to get whatever we need to get this job done.”

Glenn, retired from dairying in 1996 and crop farming in 2007, now rents out much of his land but still raises corn, soybeans, hay, and wildlife food plots. He and his wife Karen, a registered nurse, have three adult children: one son and two daughters. Glenn enjoys volunteering at his church and in the community.  Other passions he has are family, hunting, and antiquating.

Ross Gerth is a fourth generation farmer. Ross, along with his brother and mother, operate Gerth Farms, LLC, northeast of Princeton, MN. Together they raise corn and soybeans. Ross and Gerth Farms have a long history, going back to Princeton Co-op, Central Rivers Cooperative, and now Federated Co-ops. “We have always been a Co-op supporter and continue to purchase all our agronomy, propane, and fuel needs through Federated Co-ops,” states Ross.

For the past 16 years, Ross has worked full time as a Mechanical Designer in Elk River. Ross lives in Princeton with his wife Michelle and their son Grayson.

“Because I am mainly a bulk fuel customer, I believe I bring a different prospective to the board. I am honored to represent you on your Co-op board.”

Brad Rootkie lives in Brook Park and is a Logging Contractor. Brad has served 20 years as a Supervisor for Brook Park Township and has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Timber Producers Association since 2008. He also serves on the council board at his church. Brad started as a member of the Kanabec Co-op in 1984. Brad has been farming since the age of twelve and now lives on his grandfather’s farm with his wife Sherry, where his youngest daughter, Hallie, raises 4-H show cattle. His oldest daughter, Lindsey, attends the University of St. Thomas.

“Co-ops have always served farmers in this area,” says George Gimple. The director adds, “Now, in many cases, they’re the only ones left with the size and strength to serve us.” Private companies left the area as farms dwindled. “The co-op can get better deals on things because they are bigger and can afford to go out farther with services like spraying and feed delivery.”

George joined the Hinckley Co-op board 15 years ago. He continued to serve as Hinckley merged with Kanabec Co-op, which then joined others to create Federated Co-ops. In addition, George has served on his church board and as an AMPI delegate for 12 years. He has also driven school bus for 39 years and is now a Hinckley Township Supervisor. Asked why he ran, George says, “Someone has to try to be a spokesperson for our area.”

George, his father Clarence, and his brother, Thomas, operate a beef farm and also grow corn, oats, and hay for sale. Their farm is officially recognized as a “Century Farm” by a regional program, documenting that their farm has been continuously owned by a single family for more than 100 years.

Director Mark Carlson has served on the Federated Board since 2007.  Prior to the merger with CAP-Trico, he had served on the board since 1992.  Mark appreciates the opportunity to contribute to a cooperative which provides quality staff, products, and services for the patrons.

Mark has been employed by the State of Minnesota for 43 years and is the director of a vocational program in Moose Lake that provides work opportunities for people with disabilities. Mark’s leadership experience is exhibited in his service as Silver Township clerk, Covenant Church Council chair, and Moose Lake/Willow River high school varsity softball coach. Mark has been married for 43 years to his wife Lucia.  They operate a small Angus cow/calf operation, which has been in the family since 1892.  The couple have three daughters, a son, and seven grandchildren.

Todd Steffen ran for the Kanabec Co-op board in 1999 because he had an investment in the co-op. “I thought I would take my turn and help run it,” he states. He adds, “When you’re a farmer looking in, you wonder why they do the things they do.” Now that he has served on Federated Co-ops board since 2000, he understands those decisions better. “The co-op needs to survive to continue serving its members,” he states.

Having also served as a township supervisor and as chairman of the planning commission, Todd believes co-ops are still important. “True, the company has grown and the customer base is more diversified,” says Todd; “but Federated Co-ops is still a good company that looks out for the patron. “They give the profits back to the customer, and that’s something a private business doesn’t do,” he points out.

Todd and his dad Bob raise corn, beans, wheat, and feeder cattle on a farm south of Mora. He and his wife Sharon have three daughters: Chelsea, Katie, and Mariah.

Clark along with his brother Chris own and operate Anderson Farm, Inc. and Anderson Farm Trucking LLC. The family business has one full time employee and gets help from Chris’ son Nick and Clark’s two sons Dean and Dale. They grow corn, soybeans and hay. In addition to the crops, they also have a beef cow heard and finish out cattle.

Clark has been farming for over 40 years in the Princeton area. He is a member of the Isanti County Soil and Water Council.  He is married to his wife Julie who is a school teacher. In addition to their two sons, Clark and Julie have two daughters Kari and Jill.  The Co-op has supplied the Anderson’s their agronomy and energy needs for over 40 years.