Board of Directors

Bryan Ankenbauer
Bowbells, ND

Bryan was elected to the Board of directors in 2005. He manages and operates a small grain farm raising wheat, canola, flax, barley, corn, and soybeans. He occasionally helps his father and brother with the cattle part of the operation. He graduated from Kenmare High School before attending Mayville State and Minot State to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics teaching. He is currently a member of the North Dakota Farmers Union, the North Dakota Dry Pea and Lentil Association, the North Central Marketing Club, and the Canola Growers Association. He is a past director for the U. S. Durum Growers Association and County Farmers Union Board. He is a volunteer with the Kenmare Community Youth Group, a boys basketball coach at Bowbells High School, and involved at the Kenmare Church of the Nazarene. 

Justin Dagen
Karlstad, MN

Justin lives near Karlstad, Minnesota, where he has farmed since 1975. Justin farms with his two sons, who represent the 6th generation to operate Dagen Heritage Farms. They have a diversified cash crop operation that specializes in seed potatoes. Justin was first elected to the board of directors in 2018.

Kurt Elliot
Blanchard, ND

Kurt is from Blanchard, North Dakota. He began farming in 1988. He currently farms corn and soybeans, is a part of Tri-E Simmentals (purebred operation), and also has cattle in his family's 3,200 head feedlot. He and his wife also operate a vineyard as their hobby. Kurt has served on the board of directors since 2016.

Ed Hegland
Appleton, MN

Ed Hegland is owner and manager of Hegland Farms of Appleton, Inc., a cash grain farm in Lac Qui Parle County, Minnesota. He began farming in 1992 as part of a family farm corporation with his parents. They raise corn, soybeans, and wheat using strip-till, no-till, and other conservation measures. He's a member of, and has held leadership roles in, a variety of ag-related associations and organizations. Ed was first elected to the board of directors in 2012.

Karen Kerner
Philips, WI

Karen Kerner is from Phillips, Wisconsin. Along with her husband, the couple started their own Angus cow/calf operation in 1994. Over time, the farm has grown to include help from her two kids and her brother-in-law. Today, they grow a grass mix hay forage, oats, soybeans, and corn for feed. They also finish out their own feeder calves to provide a direct-to-consumer meat line under Deer Creek Angus LLC. Karen was first elected to the board of directors in 2021.

Ryan Klussendorf
Medford, WI

Ryan Klussendorf is from Medford, Wisconsin, where he operates a 120-cow dairy and farms 435 acres of hay, winter rye, and corn. They utilize no-till practices, cover crops, pollinator habitats, precision farming, herd monitoring technologies, and profit loss mapping. Ryan is active within multiple organizations including the Farm Bureau, 4-H, Rural Mutual Insurance Board of Directors, his church, and the Medford Cooperative. Ryan was first elected to the AgCountry Board in 2023. 

Michael Long
Berlin, ND

Michael lives near Berlin, North Dakota, where he began farming with his dad on a diverse dairy in 1980. They ran the dairy until 2000 when they built up the beef cow/calf herd and built a feedlot, which he currently operates. He also raises corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. Michael has served on the Board of Directors since 1997, and is a member of the North Dakota Farm Credit Council.

Shawn Murphy
Carpio, ND

Shawn is a 5th generation farmer near Carpio, North Dakota where they grow wheat, canola, durum, peas, and soybeans. He is joined on the farm by his family and parents. Shawn's background is in farm finance, having previously served as a loan officer and a VP of Credit. Beyond farming, Shawn is active in multiple organizations and serves on his township board. Shawn was first elected to the board of directors in 2024.

Greg Nelson
Milnor, ND

Greg and his family live near Milnor, North Dakota, where he grew up on a dairy and small grain farm. He graduated from North Dakota State University in 1993 and started farming full time with his dad, making it a 4th-generation family farm. He raises wheat, soybeans, and corn. He joined the Board of Directors in 2008.

William (Bill) Oemichen
Board-Appointed Director
New Glarus, WI

Bill is a senior researcher in national security and food systems risk affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and Law School. He is an attorney licensed to practice in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Alberta (Canada). He is a former senior leader of the Wisconsin and Minnesota state agriculture departments and of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Bill chairs the board of trustees of Wisconsin’s $7.3 billion College Savings Program Fund, is Board Treasurer for Group Health Cooperative, is a member of the FCCS Board, and is President of the New Glarus, Wisconsin School Board. Finally, Bill is a PhD dissertation candidate in agricultural risk at the University of Saskatchewan.

Richard Price
Stanley, WI

Richard has owned and operated a 400 acre dairy and crop farm near Stanley, Wisconsin with his wife, Michele, since 1986. Together, they milk 70 cows and replacement heifers. Their son assists on the farm along with a part-time herdsman. Richard previously served on the boards of United FCS and AgriBank. He has also previously served in leadership and board roles with his local church, hospital, and school board. 

Greg Sabolik
Kensington, MN

Greg lives near Kensington, Minnesota, and took over the family dairy operation in 2000. He also runs a crop operation in partnership with his brother. They raise corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. Greg was elected to the board of directors in 2013.

Curt Trost
Wabasso, MN

Curt and his wife, Carla, own and operate a grain farm near Wabasso, Minnesota. They raise corn and soybeans along with their sons-in-law, Justin and Trevor. Curt was elected to the AgCountry Board in 2020. 

Dale Zahradka
Lankin, ND

Dale Zahradka of Lankin, North Dakota, began farming in 1986. He and his wife raise a combination of cash grains with assistance from their children. Dale also owns a grain elevator that does custom drying of local crops. He has served on the Board of Directors since 2002 and has been a past chairman and vice chairman of the Board.

Mike Zenker
Gackle, ND

Mike was elected to the Board of Directors in 2015. He began farming in 2008 with his brother near Gackle, North Dakota, where they currently raise corn, soybeans, and barley. Mike has several years of experience in the finance industry and has operated his own seed dealership since 2012.