Ag Partners is dedicated to serving the agricultural community with a wide range of services, and our Goodhue location stands as a central hub for farmers in the region. From agronomy and grain to feed and energy, Ag Partners Goodhue is committed to providing tailored solutions to meet the diverse needs of our customers. With deep roots in the local community and a forward-thinking approach, we strive to be more than just a service provider; we aim to be a true partner in your agricultural success.
Our Goodhue Legacy: Building on a Strong Foundation
Ag Partners was formed in 1996 through the merger of two long-standing local cooperatives in Goodhue and Lake City. This merger was the first step in our journey to expand and enhance services for agricultural producers. The Goodhue cooperative brought with it a rich history of serving local farmers, and this legacy of community focus and agricultural expertise continues to be a cornerstone of Ag Partners today. Over the years, Ag Partners has grown through strategic partnerships and acquisitions, broadening our service offerings and market reach. However, our Goodhue roots remain vital, influencing our commitment to customer service and community engagement across all our locations.
This growth has allowed us to offer a more comprehensive suite of services, but our dedication to the principles that made the Goodhue cooperative successful – integrity, customer focus, and community partnership – has never wavered. Ag Partners understands the unique challenges and opportunities faced by today’s farmers, and we are structured to provide the financial advantages and reliable support necessary for sustainable success.
The Ag Partners Difference: Sharing Success with Our Members
Ag Partners operates uniquely as a stock company, converted from an equity company in 2005. This structure sets us apart and allows us to deliver significant financial benefits directly to our members. Customers who conduct business with Ag Partners annually earn equities, which, unlike many traditional cooperatives, are paid back in cash within a short timeframe – typically within four years. Furthermore, members have the option to exchange their equities for Class A Preferred Stock, offering another avenue for financial return.
This commitment to returning profits to our members is a core tenet of “The Ag Partners Difference.” We believe that a cooperative should actively contribute to the financial well-being of its member-owners. Ag Partners achieves this by prioritizing high cash patronage payouts (80% or more) and ensuring deferred patronage is paid out in five years or less. This approach contrasts sharply with cooperatives that retain profits for extended periods, sometimes decades. At Ag Partners Goodhue, we understand that your success is our success. We are committed to “Sharing Success” by returning more cash to you through cash patronage, equity revolvement, and preferred stock dividends, often issuing up to three checks per year, while simultaneously reinvesting in the future of agriculture.
Investing in the Future of Agriculture at Goodhue and Beyond
Ag Partners is firmly “For the Future,” and this vision guides our investments in employees, facilities, and equipment across all our locations, including Goodhue. We are dedicated to exceeding customer expectations and placing our members at the forefront of everything we do. Our aim is to continuously optimize and expand our services in the areas we serve, ensuring we are equipped to meet the evolving needs of agriculture both today and in the years to come. This forward-thinking approach benefits our customers in Goodhue and throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, ensuring they have access to the latest technologies, expert advice, and reliable services necessary to thrive in a dynamic industry.
Leadership at Ag Partners: Guiding Our Vision in Goodhue and Beyond
Strong leadership is crucial to the success of Ag Partners, and our governance structure reflects our commitment to member representation and expert management.
Board of Directors: Member-Led Direction
Our Board of Directors is composed of respected individuals elected by their peers, ensuring that the company remains responsive to the needs of its customer-owners. These leaders meet regularly to provide strategic direction and oversight to Ag Partners. Among our dedicated board members is Chris Buck from Goodhue, MN, representing the strong local connection and understanding of the Goodhue agricultural community within our leadership.
Andy Buckwalter, President of the Board of Directors
Andy Buckwalter
President
Mantorville, MN
Isaac Nellessen, Vice President of the Board of Directors
Isaac Nellessen
Vice President
Spring Valley, WI
Ron Regenscheid, Secretary of the Board of Directors
Ron Regenscheid
Secretary
St. Peter, MN
Chris Buck, Board of Directors member from Goodhue, MN
Chris Buck
Goodhue, MN
Jim Grobe, Board of Directors member
Jim Grobe
Millville, MN
Joe Horstmann, Board of Directors member
Joe Horstmann
Stewartville, MN
Zac Johnson, Board of Directors member
Zac Johnson
Rushford, MN
Todd Myren, Board of Directors member
Todd Myren
Nelson, WI
Eric Nigon, Board of Directors member
Eric Nigon
Eyota, MN
Keith Saemrow, Board of Directors member
Keith Saemrow
Waterville, MN
Todd Sullivan, Board of Directors member
Todd Sullivan
Le Center, MN
Mike Thompson, Board of Directors member
Mike Thompson
Oronoco, MN
Senior Management: Expert Operational Leadership
Our Senior Management team brings together experienced professionals who oversee the daily operations and strategic initiatives of Ag Partners. Their expertise ensures efficient service delivery and effective implementation of the Board’s vision.
Bill Ahlbrecht, CEO/General Manager of Ag Partners
Bill Ahlbrecht
CEO/General Manager
Email
Heather Schafer, Chief Financial Officer of Ag Partners
Heather Schafer
Chief Financial Officer
Email
Rick Anderson, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer of Ag Partners
Rick Anderson
Chief Risk & Compliance Officer
Email
Dale Johnson, Chief Operating Officer of Ag Partners
Dale Johnson
Chief Operating Officer
Email
Derek Baerenwald, Chief Information Officer of Ag Partners
Derek Baerenwald
Chief Information Officer
Email
Christine Soltau, Human Resources Officer of Ag Partners
Christine Soltau
Human Resources Officer
Email
Brian Hokanson, Senior Credit Manager of Ag Partners
Brian Hokanson
Senior Credit Manager
Email
Department Managers: Specialized Expertise
Our Department Managers lead their respective teams with specialized knowledge and a commitment to providing top-tier services across agronomy, grain, energy, and feed.
Dan Stamschror, Agronomy Department Manager at Ag Partners
Dan Stamschror
Agronomy
Email
Ryan Ness, Agronomy Department Manager at Ag Partners
Ryan Ness
Agronomy
Email
Rick Anderson, Grain Department Manager at Ag Partners
Rick Anderson
Grain
Email
Matt Hart, Energy Department Manager at Ag Partners
Matt Hart
Energy
Email
Jay Voth, Feed Operations Department Manager at Ag Partners
Jay Voth
Feed Operations
Email
Eric Schultz, Feed Sales Department Manager at Ag Partners
Eric Schultz
Feed Sales
Email
Strategic Partnerships: Enhancing Our Service Offerings in Goodhue
Ag Partners actively seeks strategic partnerships to expand and improve the services we offer to producers. A key example is our LLC partnership with Red Wing Grain, a major grain terminal and barge loading facility located on the Mississippi River in Red Wing, MN. This partnership enhances our grain marketing capabilities and provides significant benefits to our customers, including those served by our Goodhue location, by offering expanded market access and logistical advantages. These strategic alliances are crucial to our commitment to delivering exceptional value and ensuring our customers have the resources they need to succeed.
Our Commitment to You: Serving Goodhue and the Wider Agricultural Community
At Ag Partners Goodhue, our commitment is unwavering: to serve your agricultural needs both now and for many years to come. We operate with a “Customer First” attitude, ensuring that every service and product we offer delivers genuine value to your operation, regardless of size. Whether it’s increasing milk or meat production, improving grain yields, or enhancing your overall profitability, our focus is on solutions that directly benefit you.
Key Pillars of Our Commitment:
- A “Customer First” Attitude: Every decision, from new services to product evaluations, is guided by the principle of customer value. We prioritize solutions that enhance your productivity and profitability.
- Professional Employees: Our employees are the face of Ag Partners, empowered to make on-the-spot decisions and provide fast, friendly, and knowledgeable service. They act as a vital link, channeling customer needs directly to our leadership. Continuous training ensures our staff remains at the forefront of agricultural technologies and best practices.
- Consistency and Promises Kept: We are committed to maintaining and upgrading our facilities and equipment to ensure dependable product quality and on-time service delivery. You can rely on Ag Partners Goodhue to meet your needs consistently and reliably.
- Financial Strength: Ag Partners’ robust financial position allows us to reinvest in our services and facilities while also returning a high percentage of patronage to our members in cash annually, demonstrating our fiscal stability and commitment to member benefits.
- Adapting to Change: We proactively embrace change, offering innovative solutions in grain marketing, animal nutrition, and agronomic technologies to help our customers enhance their profitability in a constantly evolving agricultural landscape.
- Grass Roots Leadership: Our Board of Directors, elected by fellow members, provides essential direction, ensuring Ag Partners remains a customer-owned and customer-focused company.
- Value Added Partnerships: We continually seek partnerships that extend beyond the traditional cooperative model, collaborating with both public and private organizations to deliver exceptional value through expertise and economies of scale, ultimately benefiting our customers through reduced input costs and improved commodity prices.
Investing in the Next Generation: Scholarships for Dependents of Ag Partners Members
Ag Partners is invested in the future of agriculture, and we demonstrate this commitment through our scholarship program for dependents of our members. This competitive scholarship supports the educational aspirations of the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Applications & requirements
Celebrating Our Community: The Ag Partners Photo Calendar
Each year, we create a unique 13-month hanging wall calendar featuring photographs submitted by our customers, showcasing the beauty of farm life and our agricultural community. We encourage you to share your farm photos with us for consideration in the upcoming year’s calendar. We seek photos from all seasons to represent the full cycle of agriculture.
Submit your photos
Ag Partners Goodhue is proud to be your local agricultural partner. We are dedicated to providing the services, support, and financial benefits you need to thrive. Contact us today to learn more about how we can contribute to your success.
