I have always been involved in agriculture. I grew up on my family’s grain farm near Andover, South Dakota. I was actively involved in FFA during high school and later earned a degree in Agricultural Business from South Dakota State University (SDSU). I also attended Missouri Auction College and became an auctioneer.
Upon returning from SDSU in 1986, I started taking on management responsibilities on the farm alongside my brother-in-law. I worked for my family’s custom harvesting operation for 11 years, where I learned the importance of customer service. For over 30 years, I have been involved in agricultural policy development. I began as a delegate to the South Dakota Farm Bureau conventions and later served on the boards of South Dakota Wheat Inc. and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). While on the NAWG board, we worked on foundational policy development for the 2002 and 2008 farm bills.
After stepping away from farming in 2001, I transitioned into selling residential, commercial, and agricultural real estate. In 2003, I began working in crop insurance sales and service. My responsibilities in the office focus on understanding the rules and changes related to crop insurance and farm programs. Crop insurance policies can be complex, and there are times when farmers, adjusters, underwriters, and agents may interpret the terms of the insurance contract differently. I make it a priority to understand the key terms that affect our customers and strive to find ways to explain crop insurance in a more understandable manner. In rare cases where we believe an insurance provider or the Risk Management Agency (RMA) has made an erroneous determination, I assist our customers in presenting the necessary information to appeal the decision.
I still reside on the family farm near Andover with my wonderful wife, Louise, and our eight children. I enjoy spending a few weekends each year helping with auction sales and appreciate the opportunity to visit our customers on their farms.
I work with a fantastic team here at Groton Ag Partners. We all have our individual strengths, work well together, and are committed to providing superior service to every customer.
