262762_Fessenden_75th Book_proof_Final

Fessenden
May 2018

Fessenden
May 1957

MISSION STATEMENT

FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION, a farmer-owned and operated
local cooperative, is committed to providing its members with markets for
grain and grain products as well as supplying farm-related supplies.

Value-added services and businesses will be used to capitalize on
opportunities that strengthen its financial position and works with its
grain-based operations.

Fessenden Cooperative Association has a continuing mission to strengthen
its financial statement with better profitability and take advantage of any
future opportunities to be able to continue to retire member equities.

OTTO BROEDER, We have through the years found and enjoyed
the full meaning of cooperation and I think there
PRESIDENT 1968 is no better proof of its value than for you to
take a good look at the size of your company
“As I look back over the years of operations of today. From a small old elevator in 1943 to the
this company, I find it very hard to believe that buildings and equipment of your elevator today –
the incorporators had so little in material value just 25 years later.
with which to start an enterprise that has grown
to the size of our present cooperative. Estimate the value of your facilities. Try to
evaluate the men you have hired to shoulder
It took more courage, more faith and more trust the responsibilities of running your business.
in the almighty, and human nature, than I can The services and returns it has brought to
imagine anyone having today. you. The time, money, patience and tolerance
your Board of Directors has had over these
These Fathers of our institution did not have in years of its operations.
mind something that would bring big returns for
their labors, but to build a business that would Then try to imagine what it would have been
grow and not only be of a service to them, but to like without it. I don’t think you would be in any
the younger farmers that would follow them. As hurry to give it away.
they worked together they discovered that not
only did their neighborhood bonds grow tighter As a member of your Board of Directors, I am
but each had an inner satisfaction of knowing proud of our accomplishments and hope that
he had done something for someone else. That the stockholders are too. We know that we can
is how cooperatives are formed. It is obviously not fully satisfy every patron’s wishes, no one
in the short range, as well as the long range business can, however we try, and hope our
economic interest of farmers that they use and efforts are appreciated. After all, he who satisfies
take full part in the activities of the Cooperatives everyone - satisfies no one.”
available to them. Cooperatives attain their
maximum usefulness only when patrons’ loyalty
is strongest. This is the lesson of experience.

2 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

In the photo above, shows the new office building that was built in 1972.
It’s currently being used for our Fessenden Agronomy Office.

IN THIS BOOK

Aerial taken of Mission Statement...................................................................................................... 2
Fessenden on September Otto Broeder................................................................................................................ 2
15, 1984. (State Historical A Letter From the Manager...................................................................................... 4
Society of North Dakota James Reiswig Quotes.............................................................................................. 6
#10575-NDBC-64-29) History of the Co-op................................................................................................. 7
List of Local Earnings, Bushel Handle and Retirements............................... 16
Front Cover photos: top Directors and Managers – Then and Now........................................................ 18
larger photo – Fessenden Message from the Board Room............................................................................ 19
in May of 2018, bottom Board Of Directors....................................................................................................20
larger photo – Fessenden Fessenden Co-op Association Locations and Employees
in May of 1957. Smaller
photos left to right Fessenden, ND........................................................................................................22
Heimdal (1978), Esmond, Esmond, ND............................................................................................................28
Wellsburg (1987), Hamberg, ND..........................................................................................................30
Fillmore (1987), Manfred Carrington, ND
(1987), Hamberg, CCMP,
CCG, New Rockford, Central City Marketing and Processing.......................................................34
Harlow, Maddock, Central City Grain...............................................................................................35
Precision Ag Results New Rockford, ND................................................................................................. 37
Harlow, ND..............................................................................................................38
Maddock, ND.......................................................................................................... 40 3
Precision Ag Results............................................................................................. 41

1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY

MARK HOVLAND A LETTER FROM
THE MANAGER
I began working for Fessenden Co-op part-time
at the Heimdal Station in 1982. In the fall of 1983, As I reflect over the time I’ve spent here and all
I was hired full-time and transferred to Esmond. the changes I have seen (since 1982), it truly
I worked there as second man until the spring amazes me how much our co-op has grown and
of 1988 when I was transferred to Hamberg and how the whole agricultural industry has evolved.
became plant manager of that station. In August When I started, Fessenden Co-op was one of
of 1992, I became the plant manager of the the few 50-car unit train loaders in the state and
new bean plant in Fessenden. In 1996, I started now we have several 110-car shuttle loaders
marketing grains and edible beans. In 2003, scattered throughout the state on 4 different rail
I became the Interim Manager, and was later lines. Consolidations started to happen in the
hired for the position. early eighties and continue to happen yet today.
Competition is getting fiercer and we are all trying
I grew up six miles northwest of Heimdal. I to find ways to become more efficient. The older
attended school in Maddock and graduated wood cribbed houses are almost a thing of the
in 1981. I attended two years at Lake Region past. They are costly to maintain, getting harder to
Community College AgriBusiness in Devils Lake. stay in compliance with housekeeping and safety
I live on the outskirts of Fessenden with my rules, and hard to find people to work in them. We
wife, Linda. We have two children; Kayla married used to think dumping 50 trucks a day was a big
to Jared, they live with their son, Gage, near day, now we can dump 300 a day. If conditions
Perham, MN, and Riley and his girlfriend, Jessica, are right, farmers can plant the crop in just a few
live in West Fargo. days compared to at least a couple of months a
few years ago. We’d start with barley and wheat in
mid-April, finishing with sunflowers in mid-June.
What hasn’t changed, Mother Nature still dictates
how we start and how we finish.

It’s been a pleasure to serve not only as a manager
but as an employee of Fessenden Co-op all these
years. I appreciate having good employees and
board members to work with and admire the past
managers and board members for the foundation
that was laid and how they persevered through
various turmoil and challenges throughout the
decades. You must admire the handful of guys
back in 1943 who were discouraged by the large
grain companies that were taking advantage of
them and not providing many services for them
to have the intestinal fortitude to raise enough
money to establish this cooperative not long after
one of the roughest decades in the history of most
of this country. I hope that the current generation
and generations to come will be committed to
this co-op and appreciate the value it brings to
their farming operation and the communities we
serve. Currently, we have 80 plus employees who

4 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

live and work in these communities, that serve if you are interested, contact one of the current
in many of the organizations, churches, school board members if you’d like to find out more
boards, fire departments and ambulances, pay about the co-op and serving on the board. We’ve
taxes, support the other retailers in the area, etc. reprinted some quotes and thoughts of former
When we see the national buyers/sellers of ag board chairmen, Otto Broeder (page 2) and James
products come in with their better pricing, keep Reiswig (page 6), and how their opinions and
in mind they are not contributing much to any of insights still hold true today.
those things and offer little or no services. Their
only intent is to make money and that’s where it Congratulations to everyone who had a hand in
ends. And that’s where I will end. making the first 75 years of Fessenden Cooperative
Association a success!
When I became manager, I was one of the
youngest guys in the boardroom and now I’m the Mark Hovland, GM
oldest. We wish to encourage younger patrons to
consider a spot on the board in the future, and

Employees at the Annual Meeting in 1989
Back Row: Stan Trenary, Terry Wentz, Dale Anderson, Ron Schneider, Leon Klocke, Alvin Moos, Kenny Rexine, and Gary Hoornaert.
Middle Row: Lanny Johnson, Joe Braunagel, Connie Kunz, Jackie Sylling, Marge Leier, Charles Kunz, and Jerry Erfle.
Front Row: Jeff O’Neill, Kelly Lamm, Chuck Roller, Kevin Roller, Mark Hovland, Lewis Duffey, and Dave Larson.

1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 5

MARCH 23, 1971

“Your Board of Directors, your Manager, and patrons must be willing to
meet the challenge for change. Change just for change does not mean
progress. Change that meets the needs for today’s agriculture in the
most direct way with the best results for the community, patron, and the
organization is progress. The members of your Board and your Manager
are always seeking ways in which they can improve the services your
association offers, and at the same time to enlarge the number of services
for the betterment of the community. The organization that cannot reach
out and fill the needs that modern agriculture demands of today’s farmers
is of little or no value to the community.

JAMES To meet these obligations, we must keep our organization strong through
REISWIG conservative policies. The purpose of cooperatives is and always has been
to improve the income and welfare of those farm families who own and
On this page are several use them. There are elements at work today that are seeking ways to
excerpts from former by-pass the local services offered. They seek to tear down what took this
board chairman, James community 26 years to build. Whether this cooperative succeeds in the
Reiswig, who served years ahead depends on young farm families taking a long view of their
from March 1968 to association and making full use of it.”
March 1977. Many of his
quotes and comments MARCH 23,1972
still hold true yet today
which is why we feel “We have seen our small towns and communities disappear. Interests and
they are worth sharing. loyalties that people used to have to their communities are being lost sight
of. As members of the Fessenden Co-op we have tried to keep up with the
demands of the times. We must assess what our needs are for the present
and as intelligently as possible, using all the knowledge we can gather,
plan for the future. By doing this we must not lose sight of our past. We
must be flexible enough to make changes and adapt to the needs of our
ever-enlarging trade area. If we wish to remain a strong co-op, each of
us must support it. As the family farm becomes larger and the number of
people decrease, it behooves us to draw closer together to provide the
needs of modern agriculture. Members and directors must work together
to keep a cooperative strong.”

MARCH 29, 1977

“Each stockholder should feel his obligation in keeping Fessenden Co-op a
vital growing service center. We must encourage young people to become
familiar with the structure of a co-op. We should understand that our co-
ops are not getting a free ride in our economy. A co-op must pay its fair
share of taxes on all unallocated earnings. Earnings are allocated to each
stockholder according to the amount of business he has done. We become
owners of this association this way. By law, we are instructed to pay out
each year not less than 20 percent of net profits. The remainder is used to
improve facilities and provide services. We own these facilities, and I for
one am proud of what has been offered by Fessenden Co-op. The board
has elected to recognize our past patrons by retiring their stock through
1962. This is an income upon which taxes have been paid the year it was
allocated. Those of you who are receiving checks, will I am sure, enjoy
them, and understand that you are sharing these monies as a result of
doing business with a co-op.”

6 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

Completed concrete elevator in 1980 along with our other two
elevators that were in Fessenden at that time. The Middle House
still stands but the elevator on the left has since been torn down.

HISTORY OF FESSENDEN
COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

The Incorporation meeting of Fessenden The first manager of the Co-op was R.M.
Cooperative Association was held on April 10, Richardson. Mr. Richardson was employed in May
1943. Original charter members present were of 1943 and served as manager until 1953. The
Lee Lyness, who was elected President, John Co-op was affiliated with GTA and held monthly
Mehlhouse, elected Vice President, Walter meetings at Whipple Hall in Fessenden.
Geisler, elected Secretary, Milton Pepple, Gust
Gunderson and Lewis Price. Since there was not a quorum present at the
early Annual Meetings, the Board of Directors
One year later at Fessenden Co-op’s First Annual remained the same until 1952 when a new board
Meeting, held on June 13, 1944, there were 46 was elected. Elected President was Jake Rodacker;
original stockholders, fourteen of which attended Vice President, John Mehlhouse; Secretary, Robert
the First Annual Meeting. At the meeting, the Walz; and directors Fred Rudel, Milton Pepple,
Board of Directors were elected: John Mehlhouse, Lewis Price, and Edward (Ed) Justus.
Gust Gunderson, Milton Pepple, J.A. (Jake)
Rodacker, Walter Geisler, Lewis Price and Lee In 1953, a 40,000-bushel annex with a leg was
Lyness. The first year saw a bushel handle of built onto the existing house and in November
221,448 bushels and net savings of $5,706.28. of the same year the sale of feed and seed began
at Fessenden Co-op. Also in this year, Earl Sholey
became the second manager of this co-op and left
the position in 1956.

1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 7

1st Annual Meeting notes in 1944

8 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

The construction of a new house with a In December of 1974, Lyle Wipf was hired as
70,000-bushel capacity was built in early 1957 by the Co-op’s fourth manager. He served as
Hogenson Construction for $85,000. manager for 20 years.
An anhydrous plant was constructed ¼ mile west
Arnold H. Berg, the third manager of Fessenden on old Hwy 52 in 1975. In 1976 an anhydrous site
Cooperative Association, was hired in 1957 and was placed in Bowdon to serve the patrons in the
served the Co-op for 17 years until the end of 1974. southern trade area. At about this same time a
Big “A” dual unit floater was purchased to custom
The year 1961 saw the cooperative expand its apply fertilizer and chemicals for local patrons.
storage capability in the construction of 10 In 1977, the proposed construction of, and in 1978
steel bins by Koland Construction of Bottineau the completion of a new 155,000-bushel annex at
for an amount of $21,639. In 1962, five more Heimdal station enabled Fessenden Co-op more
steel bins were added. storage capability. An Open House for the patrons
was held in the spring of 1978.
In early 1965, a meeting of the stockholders voted Jacobson and Sons Construction presented the
to build a new elevator, office building, and steel board in 1979 with a bid for the construction of
warehouse for a cost estimated of $200,000. In a new 381,000-bushel concrete elevator with an
July of that year, the large-scale building plans attached office. With this new facility the Co-
were scratched due to a loan refusal by St. Paul op was able to load 25 and 50 car unit trains on
Bank for Cooperatives and the inability to raise the Soo Line. During this time, two steel bins
long term money locally. The steel warehouse was were erected alongside the concrete plant, one
constructed as planned. 36,000-bushel and one 50,000-bushel capacity.
This concrete plant was completed in 1980 and in
Liquid and dry fertilizer was introduced to the July an Open House was held with many patrons
patrons and made available at Fessenden Co-op and local community members in attendance.
in 1966. A new employee was hired to handle In 1980, the sunflower house was remodeled. The
seed, feed, and fertilizer. Fertilizer became an office building south of the steel warehouse was
important agriculture enhancement to the patrons sold to D and R Kost.
and because of this the need for a bulk fertilizer
plant was realized. A new plant was built in Control panel from mid 70’s used in the Fessenden
1968. During the same year, Fessenden Co-op Fertilizer Plant for loading trucks. This is still being used
purchased O and M Elevator. today except it has been added to for the micro bin controls.

The fertilizer business was expanding in the 1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 9
trade area; so much so, that in 1971 an IH
semi-tractor and trailer was purchased to
transport grain to markets in Minneapolis/St.
Paul and Duluth/Superior returning with back
hauls of bulk fertilizer.

With the 1972 Heimdal Equity Elevator merger,
Fessenden Co-op’s trade area expanded again
and so did the grain storage capacity. Also, in
1972 Great Plains of Fessenden constructed a new
office building, south of the steel warehouse. An
addition to the fertilizer plant was constructed
and at the same time the plant was resided. This
year also saw the purchase of yet another semi-
tractor and trailer due to the large amount of grain
needed to be moved to market.

Lyle Wipf standing next to the Jeep that In 1985, a 50’ x 80’ heated shop was put up across
he and others used for soil testing. the street from the fertilizer plant.

In 1981, an anhydrous plant was put up in Heimdal For the purpose of storing Commodity Credit
to better serve the patrons to the north. Also, an Corp. grain, a 60’ x 200’ steel building was erected
80,000-bushel steel bin with bean ladders was in 1986 east of the concrete plant. This building
erected alongside the other two existing steel bins had a 200,000-bushel capacity.
and is connected to the main plant.
A Trackmobile was purchased for $90,000 in 1982. A self-contained chemical plant and warehouse
This Trackmobile is used to pull unloaded cars into was built in 1987 west of town near the anhydrous
position for unit train loading and then pulling the site because of the many chemicals on hand
loaded cars away from the elevator awaiting the that can’t be stored within city limits. This plant
next train to take them to market. enabled Fessenden Co-op to handle chemicals in
In January of 1983 and after many board meetings bulk and pass a savings cost to the patrons.
and a special meeting of the stockholders, for the
purpose of voting on the mergers of Manfred Grain In 1989, Harvest States sold Fessenden Co-op
and Esmond Equity (with stations in Fillmore, an in-house IBM System/36 computer for the
Esmond, and Wellsburg), the merger came to bookkeeping and data processing which is now
pass. In March of this same year, Fessenden Co- being done on site. After hail and wind damage in
op purchased from Harvest States Cooperative July, the substation at Fillmore was closed.
(HSC) the line elevator in Hamberg for $50,000.
These mergers and purchase immensely increased Major repair work was done in 1990. We
our trade area as there were at the time seven overhauled two cleaners, sandblasted and painted
elevators and three anhydrous sites under the anhydrous storage and nurse tanks, and purchased
direction of Fessenden Cooperative Association. three new leg belts and cups for the three legs in
the concrete elevator. At Manfred, we remodeled
10 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION the rail car load-out bin and put in two new annex
conveyors, top and bottom. For Hamberg and
Wellsburg, we bought hopper bins for dry fertilizer
and at Esmond we moved the 15,000-bushel steel
bin from Fillmore. We also bought a 67,000-bushel
steel bin and 30,000-gallon anhydrous
storage tank at Emrick.

During 1991, a new 6,000-bushel/hour leg and
a 10” distributor was installed at Esmond and
the Hamberg Station was updated with two
6,000-bushel/hour legs and 10” distributor.

In early 1992, plans got underway to build a
pinto bean processing plant east of the concrete
house by the 60’ x 200’ steel warehouse. In May,
a contract was signed with Kava Construction
to build this plant at a cost of $850,000 with
construction starting June 1. During this year, the
driveway in the sunflower house was raised and
lengthened to accommodate semi loads of grain.
An 80-foot full scale was also installed. A portable
grain cleaner was built in-house by Leon Klocke
in 1992 and certified in 1993 to clean small grains
in the trade area. At the end of 1992, Fessenden
Co-op had grown to employ 30 full-time and

part-time employees, carry a complete line of GTA and three data entry workstations were installed
feeds, full line of fertilizer and chemicals which with room to add future workstations if needed.
could be custom applied with the three floater Fessenden Co-op handles several specialty
units owned by the Co-op. We also had two 1992 crops such as pinto and navy beans, canola and
Kenworth semi-tractors and tri-axel trailers to buckwheat along with small grains and oil and
transport grain from substations into the main confectionary sunflowers. Over the first 50 years
plant for unit train loading. in the history of Fessenden Co-op, the Co-op
handled 140,060,726 bushels of grain, had total
During the summer of 1993, improvements were local savings of $6,388,810 and retired local and
made at the Manfred station with the installation HSC stock credits in the amount of $3,014,489.
of two 6,000-bushel legs and a 10” distributor. During the first 50 years, 34 patrons have sat
The driveway was remodeled with part of it being on the Board of Directors. Due to ill health, Lyle
cemented, new conveyors added, and new tops Wipf, manager for the past 20 years, resigned
and bottoms for the steel tanks. The computer effective December 31, 1994.
system from 1989 was updated this year to a 486
Harvest Data System. Dennis Novacek, HSC Fieldman, was hired
as the Co-op’s fifth manager and took over
In 1994, three hopper tanks were constructed responsibilities as of January 1, 1995.
over the railroad tracks north of the bean plant
for the loading of pinto beans into rail cars. In In 1996, a 60’ x 120’ steel building was erected
Esmond, construction was started on a 1,700-ton on the Clark lot to store unprocessed pinto
fertilizer plant. This construction was finished in beans. Construction of a sidetrack was started in
1995. In June of 1994, plans were underway to November of 1996. This track enabled the railroad
add on to the west of the existing office for the to set in cars for loading 100-car shuttle trains.
much-needed office space. The 38’ x 42’ addition The track was completed in 1997.
came to a cost of $100,000 plus furnishings. The
computer control office was moved upstairs

Employees in 1992
Back Row: Gary Hoornaert, Lewis Duffey, Mark Hovland, Jeff O’Neill, Chuck Kunz,
Stan Trenary, Leon Klocke, Chuck Roller, Dale Anderson, Richard Rau, Terry Wentz,
Dave Larson, Jerry Erfle, Alvin Moos, Kevin Roller, Shawn Knudson, Lanny Johnson, and Kenny Rexine.
Front Row: Joe Braunagel, Connie Kunz, Kelly Lamm, Cory Olson, Doug Ravnaas, Kelly Jones, and Wade Unterseher.

1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 11

In February of 1997, Novacek resigned as manager Fessenden Co-op, and at the time, employed
effective March 1st. David Rosscup from Felton six full-time employees. At the December 2002
Farmers Elevator was hired as the Co-op’s sixth regular board meeting, David Rosscup resigned
manager and assumed duties on April 1, 1997. as manager effective December 31, 2002. Mark
This year a 22,000 BPH leg was installed in the Hovland was appointed Interim Manager until a
concrete plant, a 68’ x 128’ Behlen steel building permanent manager was hired.
was constructed on the Clark lot for pinto
bean storage and Prom Lumber property was At the February 2003 board meeting, Mark
purchased from CP Rail. Hovland was hired as the seventh manager of
Fessenden Co-op. In May, a new computer system
During 1998, the 60,000-bushel steel bin was was purchased from AGRIS at a cost of $105,239
moved in from Emrick and another 60,000-bushel for all of Fessenden Co-op. In September, we had
bin was constructed alongside the bean plant for a train derailment at Fessenden which interrupted
additional storage. This same year, the Wellsburg car loading for about a month. During that time,
elevator was closed to patron business and began we transported the grain to Carrington and loaded
being used as a storage facility. it out from there. The 2003 harvest was the best in
years. Spring wheat yielded 50+ bushels and some
In 2001, AgGrow Oil in Carrington, ND was barley ran 100 bushels/acre with low vomitoxin. In
purchased for $580,000 and was turned into a the wheats, disease was minimal, the test weight
bird food plant, doing business as Central City was well above average and the protein for the
Marketing and Processing, a division of Fessenden most part was good with some varieties having
Co-op. An AGRIS computer system was installed low protein as expected. Across the organization,
for inventory control at CCMP. Fessenden Co-op handled a grand total of
14,440,099 bushels (including sunflowers, canola,
June 2002, the Cargill plant in Carrington was millet, and pinto beans converted to bushels).
purchased for $4,000,000. This plant does
business as Central City Grain, a division of April of 2004, an agreement was made to

Model of Fessenden Co-op that
was made by Calvin Hornbacher.

Attendees taking a look at one of the parade floats from
1994 which was the co-op’s 50th anniversary.

12 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

purchase the Equity Farmers Elevator of New Terry Wentz, center, explains the 18,000 bushel-per-hour “bulk-
Rockford. Bill Perius was moved from CCG to New tronic” load-out scale. This was one of the many advanced
Rockford as Plant Manager. Jim Bichler and Sandy features of the new elevator. Also shown is the terminal for the
Pierson were also hired to work at that location. elevator’s computer processing controller system the first of
A new 2,500 bph Meyer dryer was purchased for its kind in the upper Midwest. (August 1980)
the concrete elevator in Fessenden in September.
In the 10 years after the 50th mile marker trailer with the primary use being seed deliveries
of Fessenden Co-op, it has handled another and fertilizer tendering. CCMP received a new
80,255,468 bushels (including all row crops), had Crippen Dakota 588 sieve mill and a robotic arm
local savings of $7,704,790 and retired local and for stacking bags. The Fessenden chemical plant
HSC stock credits totaling $5,828,778. Another four traded off the Rogator sprayer for a 4930 John
directors have been elected to sit on the Board Deere. On July 19th, the slipping for the 8-pack
of Directors. In 2004, the current board members annex was finished in Fessenden with a total
were: Everett Johnson, Heimdal; Tim Beck, Mike capacity of nearly 900,000 bushels and a loadout
Weigelt, Darrel Heins, Jerome Hagemeister, capacity of 40,000-bushels/hour. The price of
all of Fessenden; Gene Olson, Esmond; and spring wheat was over $21/bu locally at times, as
Darin Jones, Heaton. well as $32/cwt sunflowers, $15/bu soybeans, and
$6.75/bu corn. However, phosphate and ammonia
During 2005, two International semis (2006 were $1250/ton and Urea was at $900/ton.
model) were purchased. It was a successful year
for your Co-op. The high yields in most crops While in 2009, purchases included a dryer at
were needed to help offset the record-high cost of CCG, a broadcast spreader at Esmond, two Wilson
the inputs. Diesel fuel (farm) topped out at around semi-trailers and three 2005 International trucks
$2.50 by the late summer and road fuel was near at Fessenden. It was a record year for drying.
$3.00. Anhydrous peaked at $580/ton in the fall. Most soybeans were being dried and even pinto
beans for the 1st time needed drying. Three
2006 brought the purchase of two steel tanks for new hopper bins and a treater were added at
use at the Fessenden Bean Plant. The bins had Carrington to be utilized by the seed department
reclaim conveyors under them that fed back into along with six new hopper bins and a treater for
the plant. On March 1, 2006 grain prices were as Esmond. The bins in Esmond will also be used for
follows: Spring Wheat $3.86, Corn $1.59, Soybeans pinto bean receiving.
$5.08, Pintos $13.50, and Birdfood Sunflowers
$9.00. Urea was sold at a price of $325/ton and CCMP added a new 48’ x 50’ addition in 2010
Anhydrous was at $480/ton. to the warehouse allowing more product to be
bagged up ready prior to arriving trucks. The
January 2007, a 2006 model 1074 Rogator was Manfred and Wellsburg facilities were closed
bought for the Esmond location. The plans for a and put up for auction. Manfred was sold but
900,000-bushel concrete annex for Fessenden was Wellsburg remained at the time. In Esmond,
approved. The Bean Plant in Fessenden had the
warehouse insulated and a robotic arm was added 1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 13
to assist in stacking bean bags. The fall of 2007
brought two concrete silos being added at CCG
with each silo holding about 330,000-bushels.
August 2007, we bought back the old office
building which is south of the steel warehouse
from Danny Mack. The building has since been
used for the offices of the Fessenden Agronomy.

In 2008 for Fessenden, we purchased a few more
hopper bins and conveying equipment to be
used for seed. Along with another semi tender

three 100,000-bushel steel bins were started was upgraded to 70,000 bph and a grading room
in the spring but were not quite completed by was added for use by grain inspection. This made
year-end. While late in the fall in Fessenden, a it possible to have official grades as trains were
new soybean seed treating facility was began. loaded. The new bin was utilized for soybeans
It consisted of six hopper tanks each with a and 500,000 bushels still needed to be piled
capacity of 4,000 bushels. on the ground. While in Hamberg during the
fall, we began breaking ground on the fertilizer
2011 brought about many improvements and plant. The concrete was about 90% completed
investments. The agronomy department added a when they shut down right before Christmas
new tender trailer, a side shooter fertilizer tender due to cold weather.
truck, and a 2005 semi-tractor. In February of
2011, the West Elevator (elevator just west of While in 2015, the Hamberg joint venture fertilizer
the Middle House) was torn down. The 2001 plant with CHS was up and running for receiving
Terragator fertilizer spreader was replaced with a by the end of November. It was fully operational
new 2012 model at the end of the year. Carrington by early the next year. The 28,000-ton plant had
switched out the old fall protection system with two load-out towers with blenders in each. The
a newer much safer system. Many buildings and plant can receive at 1200 ton/hr and load-out at
equipment through out the co-op also saw repairs nearly 500 ton/hr. September of 2015 was when
and improvements. The huge decision was made the merger of Harlow Co-op Elevator and Seed Co
to build a shuttle facility and loop track on the BN with locations in Harlow and Maddock occurred.
railroad at Hamberg. This decision would allow It was a merger by acquisition in which the
access to more markets and to stay competitive. locations become substations under Fessenden
Co-op. Carrington did some upgrading to the
May of 2012 started the building project in load-out and receiving facility. This included
Hamberg beginning with dirt work, building roads, adding a 266,000-bushel bin and a 387,000-bushel
railroad track, and the elevator slip right before bin. The receiving site can handle 20,000 bph and
Christmas. Carrington had a 730,000-bushel steel the load-out is at the 70,000 bph from the upgrade
bin constructed with a main purpose of storing done the prior year.
corn and soybeans. Fessenden got five hopper
bins for seed and edible bean storage. A new In May of 2016, Fessenden Co-op purchased
floater was also purchased for Fessenden. A few Precision Ag Results from Paul and Donna
more purchases were two new tender trailers and Backstrom of Maddock. Precision Ag uses satellite
a couple of used tractors to pull them for seed or imagery to make maps for variable rating fertilizer
fertilizer. Even though storage had been added and seed. They offer composite, zone, or grid soil
over the past few years we still ended up piling
grain on the ground at almost all locations, so September 2003 train derailment
storage will continue to be added. (just west of Fessenden).

2013 saw the Hamberg terminal up and running
by wheat harvest. They had filled 10 trains before
year end. This was excellent as our stations on
the CP were struggling to get trains so having
the Hamberg terminal made it possible to
keep the grain moving.

During 2014 in Hamberg, another
1,000,000-bushel storage was added which was
not quite finished by year-end but would be fully
operational for the coming year. Carrington saw
the old wood house demolished to make room
for future storage and a 825,000-bushel bin was
added just in time for harvest. The load-out tower

14 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

testing. GPS systems are also sold and installed with cake along with some of our past Board
along with offering technical support. September Members in attendance. We also gave away a 75th
of the same year, the Summers Manufacturing Anniversary commemorative gun to Bill Perius
buildings in Maddock were purchased. These for winning hole 4 by being closest to the pin.
facilities are where Precision Ag operates out The commemorative gun was a 22 caliber Henry
of as well as a chemical and seed warehouse. Golden Boy with an octagon barrel. In Maddock
A portion of the main building is also used as during the Summer of 2018, a state-of-the-art
a shop. The 70’ x 240’ cold storage building is wheat and soybean seed treating facility got
for pinto bean storage. underway. The site consists of eight 5,000-bushel
hopper bins and an enclosed USC seed treater
While in 2017, the Fessenden Terminal was with six different treatment options. The treater
remodeled. The old distributor from 1979 was needs to be installed but is already on site. This
replaced with a new larger one as well as will be fully operational for the 2019 Spring. The
replacing the legs and the addition of another drag conveyors at Hamberg and Carrington were
conveyor up on top which goes out to the annex. totally gone through and replaced any worn-out
This addition doubled the speed of handling parts. The 2018 Fall brought about the purchase of
grain. In Hamberg, construction got underway in a 2018 John Deere TerraGator and a 2019 AGCO
July on the new edible bean processing facility. Sprayer model 1300 C. At the Hamberg Bean Plant
The facility will have five 108,000-bushel bins in September, they started dumping trucks with
for dirty beans, five 6,000-bushel hopper bins trial runs throughout the summer to fine tune the
for dirty beans, and five 6,000-bushel bins for milling and bagging process. The bulk rail loadout
clean beans. The milling building houses offices and tote bagging was completed in December.
for management and all the cleaning equipment
consisting of air screeners, gravity tables, dirt 75th Anniversary
removal machines, polishers (for black beans), Commemorative Gun
color sorter, and metal detection. A warehouse
has also been built for the packaging system,
bulk load-out equipment, floor space for bagged
product, truck and rail load-out docks for the
bagged product, and a scale for truck receiving.

2018 marks our 75th year of business, to honor
the tremendous achievement we celebrated
at our 10th Annual Customer Appreciation

September 2003 train derailment
(taken between the Fessenden Bean
Plant & the Concrete elevator).

1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 15

LIST OF LOCAL EARNINGS, BUSHEL
HANDLE AND RETIREMENTS

DATE BUSHELS LOCAL SAVINGS LOCAL CHS
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT
1944 221,448 5,706.28
1945 221,793 (680.38) 285.31 898.07
1946 291,624 13,726.88 102.75 1,348.26
1947 279,205 10,326.63 686.34 1,499.63
1948 321,600 1,304.49 3,545.22
1949 302,949 3,935.64 65.22 1,441.45
1950 241,651 (1,039.56) 1,202.31 648.60
1951 212,070 6,768.96 438.26
1952 388,498 (239.37) 1,798.08 569.76
1953 241,780 (13,898.77) 24.00 1 ,4 49. 20
1954 155,000 (11,047.32) 1,390.04
1955 168,149 8,365.10 1,699.73
1956 304,538 2,674.00 106.25 511.19
1956 183,434 638.93 622.58
1957 243,542 3,701.00 37.58
1958 618,846 10,053.00 2,579.54 1,151.22
1959 505,043 17,130.00 3,331.00 1,415.87
1960 490,978 3,623.00 5,540.00 1,585.39
1961 512,204 10,279.00 5,333.00 2,727.65
1962 689,313 18,130.00 12,248.45 1,636.01
1963 699,258 31,020.40 6,593.32 1,065.38
1964 812,055 26,364.51 6,187.56 1,783.32
1965 907,194 26,665.60 12,903.15 3,613.95
1966 888,024 30,554.56 11,507.62 2,871.38
1967 654,639 (8,792.99) 12,426.12 3,311.99
1968 937,859 24,700.71 10,299.50 5,027.14
1969 1,439,157 21,370.55 13,545.42 6,408.82
1970 1,374,416 54,466.31 7,000.15 3,051.97
1971 1,363,258 57,366.43 10,436.79 4,632.65
1972 2,137,905 124,226.55 25,649.01 2,853.99
1973 2,734,911 236,344.08 29,875.22 6,567.69
1974 1,742,984 (137,773.28) 69,809.04 9,487.18
1975 1,737,899 238,856.08 2,241.52 11,028.05
1976 1,924,073 275,265.53 45,567.69 1,605.19
1977 1,943,427 128,198.12 85,127.15 27,049.24
1978 3,418,745 167,580.42 85,780.51 20,423.47
1979 3,266,837 298,376.62 42,726.36 14,688.20
1980 3,386,090 232,116.69 93,118.15 15,916.29
65,787.64 40,068.70
41,631.22

16 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

DATE BUSHELS LOCAL SAVINGS LOCAL CHS
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT
1981 4,026,000 321,786.01
1982 4,482,630 171,424.43 56,314.00 37,140.50
1983 8,031,315 468,892.70 133,189.08 22,607.93
1984 7,858,251 182,655.00 71,814.80 3,419.41
1985 6,776,637 247,859.83 247,123.48 30,490.10
1986 10,069,127 478,514.00 63,628.92 10,301.31
1987 8,589,523 375,301.00 117,946.00 37,350.00
1988 6,239,891 219,700.00 99,807.00 34,266.02
1989 5,688,707 29,394.00 196,766.00 21,338.00
1990 7, 14 4, 5 6 4 118,970.00 104,371.00 22,540.00
1991 11,487,971 393,832.00 51,271.00 38,113.51
1992 10,124,239 371,852.00 274,533.00 48,314.74
1993 11,579,475 1,092,263.63 152,662.00 34,685.00
1994 8,124,306 1,458,729.00 172,339.00 14,517.00
1995 7,453,531 551,082.00 262,327.00 33,617.00
1996 6,034,882 838,179.00 323,715.00 39,987.00
1997 6,896,229 690,700.00 162,374.57 31,814.10
1998 6,373,288 696,666.00 260,244.00 35,640.00
1999 6,937,153 932,648.00 409,397.00 31,896.00
2000 6,851,055 780,191.00 260,871.00 36,371.00
2001 6,161,263 767,177.00 355,248.00 72,055.00
2002 10,729,873 (192,773.00) 243,943.00 12,893.00
2003 14,695,888 1,182,191.00 72,105.00 34,684.00
2004 15,108,288 1,276,109.00 30,235.00 32,202.00
2005 16,446,631 1,425,673.00 93,192.00 68,250.00
2006 18,832,458 1,722,331.00 272,896.00 39,222.00
2007 20,187,919 2,318,052.00 49,066.00 68,350.00
2008 19,128,166 5,676,311.00 63,599.00 56,577.00
2009 2 0,74 4,69 9 4,102,546.00 301,571.00 112,589.00
2010 23,078,621 6,461,230.00 285,766.00 82,571.00
2011 19,151,712 7,650,878.00 614,903.00 118,070.00
2012 21,315,299 7,298,889.00 774,919.00 73,074.00
2013 22,143,823 6,250,212.00 978,935.00 5 9,4 4 8 .0 0
2014 25,734,580 17,514,931.00 1,175,113.00 160,843.00
2015 23,898,803 5,816,340.00 635,769.00 86,084.00
2016 29,656,958 5,478,883.00 1,303,273.00 221,371.00
2017 30,169,512 5,396,872.00 912,441.00 144,452.00
2018 29,167,881 806,484.00 221,245.00
555,083,544 4,470,730.00 659,258.00 93,895.00
96,953,586.00 13,721,031.33 2,568,247.84

1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 17

DIRECTORS

Elected Year Name # of Years Elected Year Name # of Years

1943 Lee Lyness.............................................. 9 2000 Jerome Hagemeister......................... 16
John Mehlhouse................................. 12 2002 Tim Beck............................................... 12
Walter W. Geisler................................. 9 2005 Paul Rudel............................................. 12
Milton Pepple....................................... 11 2007 Arlan Bachmeier............................... *12
Gust Gunderson................................... 9 2008 Tim Wolfe.............................................6.5
J.A. (Jake) Rodacker......................... 15 2013 Rick Olson............................................ *6
Lewis Price........................................... 19 2014 Eric Johnson........................................ *5
1952 Fred Rudel............................................ 12 2015 Curtis Olson......................................... *4
Bob Walz................................................. 8 (Dec 2014 appointed to finish out term)
Edward (Ed) Justus............................ 16 2016
1954 Adolph Neumann............................... 21 2017 Randy Silliman.................................... *3
1955 Otto Broeder........................................ 15 Travis Long........................................... *2
1957 Donald Litke........................................... 6 *current
1960 Karl Ehni.................................................. 3
1962 William C. Mason.................................. 8 Advisory Board members during mergers/acquisitions
1963 Roger Pross.......................................... 12
Herman Grauman................................ 6 1983 - 1984 Esmond, Fillmore, and Wellsburg –
1964 Kenneth Lamm...................................... 3 Virgil Sommer, Ellery Ehni, Gene Olson,
1967 Robert Suckut........................................ 6 and Llewellyn Hoffner
1968 James M. Reiswig................................. 9 Sept. 1, 2015 Harlow and Maddock – Randy Silliman
1969 George Litke.......................................... 3
1970 Norman Rudel.....................................24 MANAGERS
Ervin Heins........................................... 14
1972 Art Weigelt............................................ 21 May 1943 – 1953 R.M. Richardson
1973 Kermit Larson...................................... 15 1953 – 1956 Earl Sholey
1975 Marlyn Schaubert...............................20 1957 – Dec 1974 Arnold Berg
Donald Skiftun....................................... 3 Dec 1974 – Dec 1994 Lyle Wipf
1977 Everett Johnson..................................28 Jan 1995 – Feb 1997 Dennis Novacek
1978 Larry Krueger.......................................24 April 1997 – Dec 2002 Dave Rosscup
1984 Gene Olson..........................................24 Feb 2003 – current Mark Hovland
1988 Mark Reddig........................................... 4
1991 Mike Weigelt........................................ 16 Employees at the 1998 Annual Meeting
1992 Ronald Lamm........................................ 8
1993 Darrel Heins.........................................20
1995 Gardell Hoff............................................ 4
1999 Darin Jones........................................*20

Back Row: Brian Baier, Shawn Knudson, Jeff O’Neill,
Jason Anhorn, Stan Trenary, Dale Anderson, and Donnie Rice.
Middle Row: Monte Hoffner, Ron Schneider, Richard Rau,
Terry Rexine, Clarence Bartz, Kenny Rexine, Gregg Smith,
Terry Wentz, Dave Larson, Dwight Hornbacher,
Neal Hayford, Lewis Duffey, and Alvin Moos.
Front Row: Kevin Roller, David Rosscup, Dave Beck, Mark Hovland,
Doug Ravnaas, Connie Kunz, Karen Hill, and Chuck Kunz.

18 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD ROOM

We are proud to have been able to serve on your years to help grow the business and add new
Co-op’s board of directors. Some of our fathers products, facilities, and services to meet the needs
served on this board or other cooperative boards of our patrons in our trade area. Although serving
in the area so we grew up seeing commitment on the board is not always easy and requires
to cooperatives. We’ve enjoyed working with the much time and commitment, the payoff is when
patrons, management, and employees over the we see things like our building projects come
to fruition and the many benefits they will add
Past board members that were able to attend for all of us. Our main priority is protecting the
the 50th anniversary celebration. investments of our member owners and setting
policy for our management team to best serve our
patrons. We would like to thank all the patrons,
former and current board members, past and
present employees and managers for their hard
work and dedication in making Fessenden Co-op a
success for 75 years. Let’s make it our goal to keep
this co-op thriving so it may serve us and future
generations of producers for many years to come.

1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 19

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ARLAN BACHMEIER, President

I grew up southeast of Sykeston and later my family moved to Carrington. I graduated
from Carrington High School and started farming afterwards. I live on a farm near
Sykeston with my wife, Charlotte. Our son, Bill, farms with me.

I started on the Fessenden Co-op Board in 2007 and am currently the President. I
started on the Board because I did a lot of business with the Co-op and like to see my
investment protected, and learn how we can better do that for all patrons.

ERIC JOHNSON, Vice President

I grew up on a farm near Heimdal. I graduated from Fessenden in 1983 and started
farming with my father and brother. I live in Benson County with my partner, Robbie,
and her daughter, Ashley. I also have two other daughters, Valerie and Aimee, and
one grandson, Tyson.

I started on the Fessenden Co-op Board in 2014 and am currently the Vice President.
My father was also on the Board for many years, I was able to see how committed
he was to Fessenden Co-op and that trend has carried on. I enjoy working with
the employees and management – they are the ones who have made it so the
Co-op is still thriving after 75 years. I am proud of the work the Co-op has done
and how it has grown.

DARIN JONES, Secretary

I grew up on a farm southeast of Fessenden and graduated from Fessenden in 1986. I
attended NDSU and graduated in Ag Mechanization in 1991. I returned to farm and now
raise cattle with my father. I am married to Kelly and we have two children, Torie in
Fargo, and Reese, who now farms with me.

I started on the Fessenden Co-op Board in 1999 and am currently the Secretary.
I also held the position of Vice President for a few years. I like working with
people and being a part of the growth of the Co-op. I have enjoyed watching our
projects come to fruition.

RICK OLSON, Director

I grew up in the Maddock/Esmond area and graduated from Maddock in 1988. I then
went to Moorhead Tech for electrical wiring and graduated in 1990. When I returned
home, I started farming full-time northwest of Maddock. I am married to Beth and we
have one daughter, Megan, who is at North Dakota State University.

I started on the Fessenden Co-op Board in 2013 to learn more about the Co-op and to
become more involved. I have enjoyed seeing the progress of the Co-op and just how
it has expanded over the years.

20 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

CURT OLSON, Director

I grew up in Esmond and graduated from Maddock in 1997. I then attended Bismarck
State College for Farm and Ranch Management, graduating in 1999. I started farming
and ranching around Esmond when I returned home from school and have continued
to do so. I am married to Codi and we have four children: Macyn, Cambry, Bryn, and
Ty, who attend school in Maddock.
I started on the Fessenden Co-op Board in 2015. My father was a long-time member of
the Board when I was growing up and we have always done business with the Co-op. I
wanted to continue improving the Co-op and to be a part of that. I enjoy helping with
the decisions of how to grow for the future.

RANDY SILLIMAN, Director

I grew up in York and graduated from Leeds in 1985. I went to Bismarck State College
to become an Electrical Lineman. I currently farm north of York. I am married to
Brenda and we have two children. Joe is in Harvey and McKenzie is in Minot.
I started on the Harlow Elevator Board in 2000 and transitioned to the Fessenden
Board during the acquisition process in 2015. One of my favorite parts of being on the
Board is meeting new people.

TRAVIS LONG, Director

I grew up on a farm northwest of Heaton and graduated from Fessenden in 2003.
I attended Northland Tech for welding and graduated in 2004. I spent a few years
working as a welder and then a mechanic before transitioning to farming and raising
cattle full-time in 2010. I am married to Brittany and we have two daughters, Bella and
Charlee, who attend school in Fessenden. We live east of Bowdon.
I started on the Fessenden Co-op Board in 2017. I got on to help make a difference and
serve the community I am a part of.

1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 21

FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

FESSENDEN, ND

EST. 1943

Fessenden 1957

ALLEN HOFF

I grew up in Bowdon and started at the Co-op on January 2, 1998 at the Fessenden
Station. I am the Middle House Manager and run floater and help load trains
when needed. I live in Bowdon with my wife, Cindy. We have two children:
Kristen and Derrick.

ANDY WENTZ

I grew up just outside of Fessenden and studied Criminal Justice at Minot State
University, graduating in 2005. I started for the Co-op as a Truck Driver in April 2018.
I live in Fessenden with my girlfriend, Tina, and her daughter, Kenlyne. My father,
Terry, worked for the Co-op for many years and my sister, Juna, currently works in the
Fessenden office. My mother, Laurel, worked for the Fessenden school until she retired.

BRENTON WIESZ

I grew up in Carrington and graduated in 2004. I went on to study Automotive
Technology at Lake Region State College, graduating in 2007. I started at the Co-op
on November 1, 2016, as the Chemical Plant Manager and Custom Applicator. I live in
Cathay with my wife, Courtney, and our two children, Tucker and Kennedy.

22 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

BRIAN BAIER

I was hired by the Fessenden Co-op on April 1, 1993, as a Semi-Driver. I was born and
raised in the Harvey area and graduated from Harvey High School. My mother lives
in Harvey, and my step-brother, Troy, lives in Seattle, Washington. I have two sisters:
Cindy, who resides in Martin and DeeDee in Harvey. My father passed away December
2016. I live on a farm south of Harvey.

BRIAN BECKLEY

I grew up in Carrington and attended Bismarck State College, graduating in 2010 in
Agronomy. I was an Agronomy Intern for the Fessenden Co-op during the summer of
2009. I started full-time in that department in 2010. I am now both an Agronomist and
the Seed Manager. I live in Fessenden.

BRIAN DINGER

I grew up in Hecla, SD, and came to North Dakota for a job. I studied Agronomy and
Business at Lake Area Vo. Tech, graduating in 1987. I started at the Fessenden Co-
op in July 2012 as the Chemical Plant Manager. In the summer of 2014, I became
the Agronomy Manager. My wife, Merry, and I live on a farm north of Bowdon,
we have six children.

BRITTANY BECK

I grew up on a farm southeast of Bowdon. I graduated from Fessenden in 2014 and
NDSU in 2018 in Agricultural Economics. I interned at Fessenden Co-op during the
summer of 2017 and started full-time in 2018 as a Grain Merchandiser. I just got
married to Jason Beck in March and recently moved to Harvey. My parents are Reade
and Melissa Neumiller.

DANIEL VOLK

I grew up in South Dakota and graduated from Watertown in 2012. My family is from
the Fessenden area and I started at the Co-op in September 2017 as a General Laborer.
I was promoted to the Fessenden Bean Plant Manager in September 2018. I live in
Fessenden with my daughter, Olivia.

1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 23

DAVE LARSON

I grew up in Heimdal and graduated from Fessenden High School in 1972 and then
from NDSU in 1976 in Business Economics. I started working for Fessenden Co-op in
August 1983 as a bookkeeper. I still work in accounting in the Fessenden office. I live in
Fessenden and have one son, Ryan, who is married to Bobbie Jo, and three grandsons:
Grady, Jaiden, and Ryder. They live in Steele, ND.

DOUG RAVNAAS

I grew up in Manfred and graduated from Fessenden Public School in 1984. I live in
Fessenden with my wife, Shelly. We have three children: Karlie, Kylie, and Kyle, and two
grandchildren. I started at the Co-op in July 1990 on the Maintenance Crew and then
became a Driveway Attendant in the Concrete in Fessenden, of which I later became
manager. In 2004, I started as a Grain Merchandiser and am also the Assistant Manager.

DWIGHT HORNBACHER

I grew up in the Fessenden area. I live in town with my wife, Elaine. We sadly lost our
son Calvin, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Feb. 14, 2009. Our
daughter, Kyla, lives in Fessenden and she also works at Fessenden Co-op. We have a
grandson, Tucker. I started working at the Co-op in 2009 as a Driveway Attendant at
Fessenden Concrete and ran a floater. I am now a truck driver.

GERRY ANDERSON

I grew up near Heimdal and graduated from Maddock in 1995. I started working for the
Co-op on April 1, 2001, in the Fessenden Concrete as second man. I currently am the
manager of the Fessenden Concrete. I live in Harvey with my wife, Melissa, of 13 years
and our two sons, Madden (6) and Jace (4), who attend school in Harvey.

JEFF O’NEILL

I was born in Fargo and have lived in many places but mostly in the Midwest. I moved
back to North Dakota in 1977 and started at the Co-op on March 1, 1982. I have worked
at every Co-op facility and spent multiple years as both a Floater Operator and in the
Fessenden middle elevator. I currently work out of the Fessenden Fertilizer Plant and
help load trains. I live in Fessenden with my wife, Deronda. We have three children,
Liza, Travis, and Noelle, and eight grandchildren.

24 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

JOHN “WOODY” WOOD

I grew up in Maddock and started for the Co-op in 2003 as an Equipment Operator for
Esmond. I am currently the Operations Manager for every station except for Carrington.
I help dispatch trucks and fix elevators. I live on a farm southwest of Maddock.

JUNA WENTZ

I grew up in Fessenden and went to the University of North Dakota. I graduated in 2010
in both Information Systems and in Chinese Studies. I started for the Co-op in April
2012 helping implement the electronic filing system we currently use. I am now the
Benefits Administrator/Bookkeeper. I live in Fessenden. My father, Terry, worked for the
Co-op for 40 plus years until he retired in December 2016. My mother, Laurel, was a
teacher in Fessenden for many years until she retired in May 2016. My brother, Andy,
currently is a truck driver for Fessenden Co-op.

KEITH MIDDLEMAN

I grew up in Fessenden and started at the Co-op in 2003 as a seasonal general laborer
at the Chemical Plant. I live in Fessenden.

KELBY HOUCHIN

I grew up in Fessenden and graduated from North Dakota State University in 2014 in
Crop and Weed Science. I was an Agronomist Intern for the Co-op during the summers
of 2012 and 2013. In May 2014, I started full-time as an Agronomist. I live in Fessenden.

KEN BAY

I grew up across the U.S. and came to North Dakota from Washington just because.
I started for the Co-op at Central City Marketing and Processing in 2006. I am now a
Truck Driver. I have three children: Heather, Kasey, Kristofer. I live in Bowdon with my
girlfriend, Sherri.

1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 25

KENNY REXINE

I started at the Fessenden Co-op on July 17, 1970 and worked in the west elevator and
then spread fertilizer. I am presently the manager of the Fessenden Fertilizer Plant.
I grew up in rural Bowdon, graduated from Bowdon High School and attended the
State School of Science in Wahpeton. I served in the U.S. Army from October 1966
to 1968, serving one year in Vietnam from October 1967 to October 1968. I live in
Fessenden with my wife, Billie. We have three sons, Robert, Michael, and Jonathan,
and 10 grandchildren.

KYLA HORNBACHER

I grew up in Fessenden and graduated in 2003. I attended North Dakota State
University, graduating in 2008. I started for the Fessenden Co-op in April 2013
in Esmond and then probed trucks for 6 months in Hamberg, before becoming a
Bookkeeper in Fessenden. I live in Fessenden with my son, Tucker Calvin. My boyfriend
is Jake Hoffert, who works for the Co-op in Esmond.

MATT SCHIMELFENIG

I grew up on a farm northeast of Bowdon and still live there. I started at the Co-op in
January 2014 . I work in the Fessenden Bean Plant during the winter and the Fessenden
Chemical Plant during the summer. My parents are Tom and Peggy Schimelfenig, I
have four siblings.

NATE ARMSTRONG

I grew up all over North Dakota and graduated from Hope-Page. I started at the
Co-op in February 2015 as a Driveway Attendant in Fessenden, then moved to the
Fessenden Bean Plant Manager, and am currently back as a Driveway Attendant. I live
in Fessenden with my wife, Amanda, and our two children, Hunter and Haylee, who
attend Fessenden-Bowdon school.

NEAL HAYFORD

I grew up in Fessenden and live there with my wife, Judy. We have two children,
David and Ashley, and 4 grandchildren. I started working for the Co-op in March
1994 as a Driveway Attendant and on the Repair Crew. I am now a Bookkeeper and
the Safety Director.

26 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

RICHARD RAU

I was born and raised in the Bowdon-Fessenden area and graduated from Fessenden
High School in 1969. I am married to Donna and we have one daughter, Krista. I started
for the Fessenden Co-op in 1985 as a General Laborer. I am currently a Truck Driver.

RYAN MARCHUS

I grew up in Fessenden, graduated in 2005, and then attended Minot State University,
graduating in 2011. I live in Fessenden and have a daughter named Kambree. I started
for the Co-op in December 2014 as a Driveway Attendant in Fessenden. At times, I
help in Hamberg, too, or wherever I am needed.

STEVEN LAPE

I grew up in Somerset, Pennsylvania, and enlisted in the US Air Force. I was stationed
at both Minot and Grand Forks before retiring. In 2015, I started at the Co-op as a Truck
Driver and I also haul fertilizer when needed.

TERRY REXINE

I grew up in Bowdon and live on a farm northwest of Bowdon with my wife, Doreen.
I started at the Co-op in 1997 and have worked at the Fessenden Chemical, Fertilizer,
and Bean Plants. I now work in the Scale Room at the concrete elevator.

TROY ALLARD

I grew up in the Hamberg area and went to school in Harvey. I started at the Co-op
in 2011 in the Fessenden Bean Plant. I live with my wife, Kelly, in Harvey. We have five
children: Dylan, Chris, Brandon, Taylor, and Carly.

1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 27

FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE
A S S O C I AT I O N

ESMOND, ND

EST. 1983

Esmond 1987

BRAD “BUBBA” FIX

I started working as a laborer/trucker at the Fertilizer Plant in Esmond in 2006 first
as part-time and later full-time. I am now a truck driver. I grew up in Esmond and
continue to live here with my dog, Kimber.

DANA OVERCASH

I grew up in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and was an independent truck driver which
brought me through North Dakota. I moved to Esmond with my wife, Jeannie, in 2002.
We have three daughters: Danielle, Amanda, and Savanna. I started at the elevator in
Esmond in February 2014 as a truck driver and have remained in that position.

DYLAN LAUINGER

I grew up in Esmond and graduated from Maddock in 2014. I attended Bismarck State
College and graduated in May 2017 in Agronomy. I started working for the Co-op as an
Agronomist out of Esmond in April 2018. I live in Esmond. My parents are David and
Shannon Lauinger, and I have three sisters: Kayla, Megan, and Courtney.

28 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

GREGG “OTIS” SMITH

I grew up in rural Esmond. I started for the Co-op in March 1994 as a Floater Operator. I
transitioned to the Bean Plant in Fessenden in fall 1995 and then came back to Esmond
in March 2010 for Agronomy Sales. I am married to Karen and we have two children:
Jordan and Kristen.

JAKE HOFFERT

I grew up in Maddock and started for the Co-op as a laborer in 2003. I then
transitioned to the Maintenance Crew before moving to the Fertilizer Plant in Esmond
in 2007. I became the Location Manager in 2016. I have a girlfriend, Kyla, who also
works for the Co-op and we have a son, Tucker.

JUSTIN JANOSZ

I grew up in Minnesota and came to Minot because of family. In 2013, I started at
Harlow and have worked at many of the locations as a general laborer. I currently
work mostly out of Hamberg and Esmond. I live in Maddock with my wife, Jenae,
and our son, Jaxon.

KERRY BAUERLE

I grew up in Churchs Ferry, ND. I started for the Co-op in 1999 running the Portable
Seed Cleaner. I have worked at many of the locations and I ran the Heimdal Station for
a few years. I started back at Esmond in April 2017, where I remain today. I am married
to Jackie and we have two sons: Isaiah and Benjamin. We live outside of Harvey.

MIKE MCCREARY

I grew up in Carrington and started for the Co-op in March 2001. I was the Esmond
Station Manager and am now retired, but I help when needed. I live in Esmond.

1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 29

FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

HAMBERG, ND

EST. 1983

Hamberg 1987

BLAKE KITTELSON

I grew up on a farm west of Hamberg and graduated from Fessenden. I am married
to Miranda and we have two children, Britain and Bridger, who attend school
in Fessenden. I started working for the Co-op in January 2018 as a Driveway
Attendant in Fessenden and moved to the Warehouse Manager at the Hamberg Bean
Plant in August 2018.

BRAD STEVENS

I grew up in Bisbee, ND and started at the Co-op in February 2005 as a General
Laborer. I have worked at the Bean Plant in Fessenden and was also a Driveway
Attendant. I am currently the Edible Bean Division Manager for Fessenden Co-op with
my office located in Hamberg. I live in Fessenden with my wife, Stephanie. I have two
children who also live in Fessenden.

BRETT SCHROEDER

I grew up in Carrington and after graduation attended Bismarck State College for
Agronomy finishing in 2011. I interned at the Co-op during the summer of 2010 in
Agronomy and started full-time as an Agronomist in 2011. I have recently added
Fertilizer Sales as well. I live in Fessenden.

30 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

DAVID BROWN

I grew up south of Esmond and started at the Co-op in Maddock in March 2018. I
moved to Hamberg in November 2018 and am now a Milling and Warehouse Operator.
I am married to Lola and we have three children: Ethan, Andrew, and Lilly, who go
to school in Maddock.

JEFF KNUDSON

I grew up in Langdon, ND. Different jobs brought me to the area and I started
for the Co-op in March 2013 as the New Rockford Station Manager. I moved
to Grain Merchandising in Hamberg in June 2015. I am married to Billie and
have four daughters.

JEFF LINDGREN

I grew up in Park River, ND, and started working in the area at the Bremen Elevator in
1991. I started for the Co-op in 1997 in the Fessenden Middle House. I have worked
at almost all the stations and am currenty a Driveway Attendant in Hamberg which I
started in 2013. I live with my wife, Allison, on a farm southeast of Hamberg. We have
two children: Mark and Alaina, along with her husband, Max Cardinal.

KENT WOLKENHAUER

I grew up in Flaxton, ND. I married Carol and moved to Fessenden because she is from
here. We have two daughters: Nicole and Caitlan, and three grandchildren. I started
working for the Co-op in April 1999 as a General Laborer. I have worked at many of the
stations. I was a Floater Operator and in the Service Department in Fessenden. I went
to Carrington when the Bird Seed Plant started. I was at the Bean Plant in Fessenden
and as of 2016 am the Fertilizer Manager in Hamberg.

KEVIN COOMBS

I grew up in Anamoose and started at the Co-op in 2012 in the Fessenden Bean Plant. I
transferred to the Hamberg Bean Plant when it opened in the fall of 2018. I am married
to Mary Beth and we have two children: Jason and Sarah, and seven grandchildren.

1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 31

KRIS SWANKE

I grew up in Wisconsin and moved to North Dakota to work in the oil fields. I
started in 2017 as a Driveway Attendant and Trucker in Hamberg. I live in Fessenden
with my wife, Alicia, and our three children; Keegan, Sydney, and Braxton, who
attend school there.

MARK PEDERSON

I grew up in Bismarck, ND, and started working for the Co-op in June 2003 as the
Birdfood Plant Manager. In 2005, I became a Merchandiser and the Manager at Central
City Grain. In 2013, I moved to a Merchandiser and Manager at Hamberg. I live in
Carrington with my wife, Faye. We have one daughter, Carmen, who is at NDSU.

MARK TANDESKI

I grew up in Minnewaukan, ND. I live with my wife, Julieann, in Maddock. We have
three children: Mason, Garret, and Carter. I started on May 8, 2017 as a Driveway
Attendant in Hamberg.

RANDY HECK

I grew up on a farm in the Nekoma/Langdon area. I started at the Co-op as an Edible
Bean Merchandiser at the Hamberg Bean Plant on July 9, 2018. I live with my wife, Lisa,
in Devils Lake. We have three children: Randall, Michael, and Alexandria.

32 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

STAN TRENARY

I grew up in Lamoure, ND, and came to Fessenden to start working at the Co-
op in 1981. I worked in Fessenden for 11 years, and then the old Hamberg Station.
I am currently the Plant Manager at the new Hamberg Station. I have two
children: Tara and Tiler.

TESSY BUCKMAN

I grew up in Missouri and moved to Fessenden in 2010. I started as a Bookkeeper
in Hamberg in August 2013. I am married to Michael and we have two children:
Ty Watson (Kelsey) of Kulm and Carly Lawson (Brandon) of Williston. We have four
grandchildren: Mayson, Carson, Kezli, and Aivyn.

TYLER SCHATZ

I grew up in Carrington and graduated from ND State School of Science in Ag Sales.
I started for the Co-op in July 2018 as the Milling Plant Manager in Hamberg. I
currently live in Harvey.

Hamberg Bean Plant in August of
2018 while finishing up construction.

Taken in 1992, line outside of the Fessenden Bean Plant
waiting to dump their trucks at the new facility.

1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 33

FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

CARRINGTON, ND

CCMP 2002

CENTRAL CITY MARKETING AND PROCESSING • EST. 2001

CARL SCHEEN

I grew up in the Carrington area and started at Central City Marketing and Processing
in 2007 before moving to Central City Grain as a General Laborer. I am married to
Rebecca and we have 4 children.

DEB LEAPALDT

I started working for the Co-op in 2001 as a Receptionist at Central City Marketing
and Processing. I was later promoted to Plant Manager, the position I currently hold. I
live on a farm by Woodworth with my husband, Wes, and our son, Kyle. We have two
other children and three granddaughters: Amanda and daughter Emerson, JR and wife
Ashley, their daughters McKenna and Madelyn.

JUSTIN “MARTY” MARTIN

I am originally from New Rockford and started at Central City Marketing and Processing
in 2009 as a General Laborer. You can also occasionally find me at Central City Grain
helping out. I live in Carrington with my wife, Heather.

34 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

CCG 2003

CENTRAL CITY GRAIN • EST. 2002

BROCK SMITH

I grew up in the Carrington area and graduated from Carrington High School. I started
for Central City Grain in 2010 as an Agronomist. I am married to Jennifer and we have
a daughter, Kenadie.

CALEB WINGARD

I grew up in Georgia and came to Dakota College at Bottineau to play football. I stayed
in the area and started as a Driveway Attendant at Central City Grain in October 2016.

CULLEY HOGGARTH

I started at Central City Grain in 2004 and do a little bit of everything. I am
transitioning into the position of Facility Manager of Central City Grain. You will
continue to see me working in the grading room and also with fertilizer and seed sales.
I am married to Nikole and together we have 8 children: Tyler, Tate, Trevor, Tessa,
Lexus, Jacob, Trace, and Bryar.

1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 35

DAVE MAGNUS

I grew up on a farm near Wales, ND. I started working for Cargill in 1997 as a Driveway
and Grade Room Attendant. I am now the Operations Manager at Central City Grain, a
position I started in 2009. My wife, Cindy, and I live near Pingree. We have four children
and five grandchildren.

JEROME HOHEISEL

I began with the Co-op in Fessenden back in 2008. I recently moved into Agronomy
Sales transitioning from the Facility Manager for Central City Grain. I made this move
as I plan to retire in a few years and this way I can help the transition of the new
manager go smoothly. I am married to Janell and we live in Sykeston. We have three
children: Jerel, Jyl, and Justin and eight grandchildren.

JODIE DAVIS

I am the Office Manager at Central City Grain. Also, I am the Bookkeeper for the
New Rockford station. I started in 1988 when Cargill still owned the elevator and
stayed on in 2002 when it was bought by the Co-op. I grew up in Carrington and
graduated from here. My husband is Doug and we have three children: Matthew
and wife Jacee have Neylin, Lainey, and Kolt; Nathan; and Jana, married to Jesse
Lesmeister, with son, Maddyx.

LEON MEEHAN

I started at Central City Grain on September 14, 2017, as a General Laborer/Driveway
Attendant. I grew up in the Grace City area. I am married to Cindy and we have three
children: Katie, married to Loren Larson, Eric, and Lance, married to Erin. They have
seven children between them.

MIKE SCHMID

I grew up in rural Barlow and started at Central City Grain in 2005 as a Floater
Operator and working maintenance. I currently do a little bit of everything, from
running equipment to working in the Driveway. I am married to Danette and we live
on a farm west of Barlow. We have five children, Patrick, Lea, Toni, Lynizie, and Tyler,
and 11 grandchildren.

36 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

NEW ROCKFORD, ND

EST. 2004

New Rockford 2005

JIM BICHLER

I grew up in New Rockford and started working for the elevator in 1981 for a few
years. I came back to the elevator in 1992 as a Driveway Attendant and stayed
through the transition to a station of the Fessenden Co-op. I live with my wife,
Jane, in New Rockford and we have four sons: Jason, Jeremy, Tyler, and Tanner,
and two grandchildren.

WILLIAM “BILL” PERIUS

I grew up in Langdon, ND, and started working for Cargill. I was transferred to
the Carrington station and stayed on in 2002 when Fessenden Co-op bought the
operation. I was there for two years before being promoted to the New Rockford
Station Manager in 2004, a position I maintain to this day. I am married to Mary Dawn
and we have two children: Billie and Brian; and three grandchildren. My wife and I
reside in Carrington.

1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 37

Harlow 2005 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE
A S S O C I AT I O N

HARLOW, ND

EST. 2015

BRAD HOVLAND

I grew up on a farm northwest of Heimdal. I started at the Harlow Elevator on April 23,
2015, as a Truck Driver. I remained in that position through the transition until I retired
on December 31, 2018. My wife is Debra and we have four children: Corey, Cassandra,
Justin, and Jalissa, and four grandchildren. I live on a farm outside of Maddock.

KRISTI BOSCH

I grew up on a dairy farm in Foxholm, ND. I married Jay Bosch and moved to the family
farm near Knox, ND, where we raise crops, black angus cattle, and sheep. We have two
children: a daughter, MyKell, who graduated from University of Minnesota Crookston,
and son, Collyn, who is a freshman at Rugby High School. I started at Harlow as a
Bookkeeper on August 30, 2012.

38 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

LARRY BUCKINGHAM

I grew up in Regent, ND and spent my summers on a family farm near Harlow. I started
at the Harlow Elevator in 1978 in the Barley House, and have continued in that position
through the transition to Fessenden Co-op. I live on a farm west of Harlow and have
three children: Kendra, Scott, and Carla, and eight grandchildren.

ROSS K. HILL

I grew up in Maddock and started working at Harlow in December 2006 as the Seed
Plant Manager. I am now the Location Manager. I am married to Karin and we have
four children Alexzander, Jessica, Zachary, and Samuel. Samuel is a senior at Maddock
High School. I live on a farm between Maddock and Esmond.

ROXANNE VAN STEENVOORT

I grew up on a farm/ranch by Baker, ND, where I still live. I started at Harlow as a
Bookkeeper in 2004 and have stayed in that position. I am married to Frank and we
have eight children, ages 3-29. We farm and raise horses.

SHANE ANDERSON

I grew up in Churchs Ferry, ND, and started at the Harlow Elevator in September 2011.
I stayed through the transition and am currently the Concrete Plant Manager. I have
three children who attend school in Leeds.

Not pictured is Lyle Gjovig who started working for Fessenden Co-op
when Harlow was absorbed as a station in 2015.

1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 39

FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION Maddock 2019

MADDOCK, ND

EST. 2015

ALAN NESS

I grew up in Washington state and came to Maddock in September 2014. I started at
the Maddock Elevator in March 2017 as a Driveway Attendant. I live in Maddock and
have three children.

ALEX ERTELT

I grew up in Fingal, ND. I started at the Maddock Elevator as a Floater Operator and
General Laborer on April 16, 2018. I live in Maddock.

BRENT HUFFMAN

I grew up in Minnewauken, ND, and still live there. I started for the Co-op in Esmond
in February 2012 as a Floater Operator and have worked all over since then. I am
currently a Floater Operator and on the Maintenance Crew at Maddock.

40 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

DAN ODDEN

I grew up in Flora, ND, and started at the Maddock Elevator in 1978. I have worked
many positions at Maddock and am currently the Station Manager which I started
in 2010. I live in Maddock with my wife, Cindy. We have two daughters and
four grandchildren.

JORDAN SMITH

I grew up in Maddock and started for the Co-op in Agronomy and Sales out of Esmond
in May 2014. I transitioned to Maddock in Spring 2016. My parents are Gregg and Karen
Smith and I have a sister, Kristen. My wife, Jayla, and I live northwest of Maddock.

PRECISION AG RESULTS • EST. 2016

BRADLEY HERMANSON 2019

I grew up in Maddock and graduated in 2006. I attended ND State College of Science
for two years. I started at Precision Ag Results in August 2018 as a General Laborer. I
live in Maddock, and my parents, Teran and Dawn Hermanson, live north of Maddock.

FRANK RODRIGUEZ

I grew up in Pico Rivera, California and moved here because my wife is from
Devils Lake. I started at Precision Ag Results in March 2013 doing mapping and soil
testing. I am now a Precision Ag Specialist. I live in Maddock with my wife, Kari, and
our three children.

KARL HOFSTETTER

I grew up in Ohio and moved to North Dakota because my wife is from here. I started
for Precision Ag Results in September 2016 as a Precision Ag Specialist. I live in
Maddock with my wife, Sonia, and our three children who attend school in Maddock.

1943–2018 75TH ANNIVERSARY 41

KIMBERLY BACKSTROM

I grew up in Maddock and graduated in 1998. After completing college, I returned
home to farm with my father. In 2002, I, along with my father and three other farmers,
started Precision Ag Results. I have worked a lot with the mapping and soil testing. I
moved to Poland in 2012, but still work on mapping and training new employees. My
parents are Paul and Donna Backstrom and I have two sisters.

MELINDA MARTIN

I grew up in Bowdon and started at Precision Ag in the fall of 2016. I was originally
hired for mapping and soil testing and transitioned into the Office Manager. I live in
New Rockford with my boyfriend, Clint, and our many animals.

PAUL BACKSTROM

I grew up in Maddock and was one of the founders of Precision Ag Results in 2002.
I was the manager and now do sales and help with anything. I have farmed all my
life and live on a farm northwest of Maddock with my wife, Donna. We have three
daughters and four grandchildren.

FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

PRECISION AG RESULTS

EST. 2016

42 FESSENDEN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

IN LOVING MEMORY

In memory of some employees who have gone before us

Leonard M. Martin, Lyle Wipf, Wade Unterseher, Kelly Lamm, and Kevin Goldade

Slip going up for the Fessenden
concrete elevator in 1980.

Electricity went out in the middle of
loading a truck & it overflowed & broke
the driveway scale window. (Dec 1985)

Fessenden Co-op in the mid-60’s. Shows the current middle house and the O & M elevator
that was later purchased in 1968 which was torn down in February of 2011. Taken from
the Community Fact Survey Booklet of Fessenden, ND from 1965 (from Digital Horizons
website, donated by the ND State Library).