Location: Gettysburg, S.D.
Co-op: Ģֱ River Plains
Co-op leadership role: Tyler chairs the Ģֱ River Plains producer board.
Operation: “We operate a long-term no-till grain operation producing wheat, corn, soybeans and sunflowers. I operate individually and with my brother in a family farm corporation that recently transitioned to us, allowing our parents to enjoy retirement.”
Family: “My wife, Kelsey, and I have four children: Nash (12), Charlie (10), Daxton (9) and Croix (7).”
Education: Tyler earned a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness with minors in management, marketing and finance from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minn.
How does your co-op support your farm? “Ģֱ River Plains does an incredible job moving our grain into local, national and global markets. The co-op has the infrastructure to ensure we have access to premium product lines for seed, chemicals and fertilizer to maximize yield and operational efficiencies.”
Why are you committed to agriculture? “Agriculture is the bloodline of rural communities. Feeding the world is one thing, but keeping small communities viable and thriving by supporting education and healthcare systems and local businesses is a key role of ag producers and suppliers.”
How can the cooperative system serve new generations? “Ģֱ and the cooperative system can support new generations of producers by continuing to bring best-in-class service with dependable supply chains and access to competitive markets. Creating and keeping good-paying jobs in rural communities for young professionals with technological foundations will help ensure we get the best talent to keep pace with the constantly changing agricultural environment.”
How has participating in Ģֱ New Leaders Forum benefited you? “The Ģֱ New Leaders Forum opened my eyes to the size and scale of Ģֱ and what it takes to help keep producers in business. It’s big business.
“I really enjoy the high-level conversations that take place at Ģֱ meetings, in our local co-op board room, at annual meetings and especially on visits to Ģֱ facilities. Understanding the value of doing business with a company you own equity in and can help govern brings a tremendous amount of confidence in keeping that business with Ģֱ.”
“It takes a co-op to help build our communities.”
