2018 SUMMER INTERNS MEET MAXYIELD'S - MaxYield Cooperative
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MEET MAXYIELD’S
2018 SUMMER INTERNS PAGE 20
6 12 34
What Did We Learn Harvest Checklist Rev It Up: 5 Things
WWW.MAXYIELDCOOP.COM For 2019? Drive Steve Meyer
/1
SEPTEMBER 2018
MAXYIELD EDITORIAL TEAM
Patti Guenther, Chad Meyer, Diane Streit,
Katie Decker
A PEEK INSIDE My Solutions® magazine is sent to you
courtesy of MaxYield Cooperative® to offer
THE SEPTEMBER 2018 ISSUE: you an exclusive look into farming and
rural life in Iowa and southern Minnesota.
MaxYield is a local agricultural cooperative
that not only works to maximize the
COVER STORY, Page 20: harvest but also never loses sight of the
THROUGH THE EYES OF AN INTERN: bigger picture of why people farm. More
information about MaxYield is available at
MEET MAXYIELD’S 2018 www.maxyieldcoop.com.
SUMMER INTERNS My Solutions is published by
MaxYield Cooperative,
313 3rd Avenue NE, West Bend, IA 50597.
Page 6:
To subscribe or provide address changes,
WHAT DID WE LEARN FOR 2019? please send to:
MaxYield Cooperative
PO Box 49, West Bend, IA 50597
Page 12: Call 515-200-5115
HARVEST CHECKLIST or email cmeyer@maxyieldcoop.com.
Subscription cost is $10 per year.
TOP 5 THINGS TO KNOW WHEN
DELIVERING GRAIN TO MAXYIELD Photography by Greg Latza.
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Page 18: Board Chairman
TAPPING A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE: Howard Haas, Algona (central region)
515-295-7993
LEARNING EXCHANGE PAYS OFF AT MAXYIELD
Vice Chairman
David Garrelts, Emmetsburg (central region)
Page 32: 712-852-2792
AGRONOMY TRAINEES’ CAREERS TAKE Secretary/Treasurer
ROOT AT MAXYIELD Eric Marchand, Britt (east region)
641-843-4167
Barry Anderson, Greenville (west region)
Page 34: 712-262-0480
REV IT UP: James Black, Algona (central region)
5 THINGS DRIVE STEVE MEYER 515-341-7858
Don Hejlik, Britt (east region)
641-843-3438
Page 36:
LOOKING FOR FINANCING OPTIONS? Todd Meyer, Everly (west region)
712-834-2153
Ron Rouse, Curlew (west region)
712-855-2434
Jim Wirtz, West Bend (central region)
515-887-6554
LEARN MORE
To learn more about MaxYield Cooperative,
visit us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Or log on to www.maxyieldcoop.com.
/3
BUILDING OUR
By Keith Heim, chief executive officer
What an unusual, unique spring season we all Looking ahead
experienced in 2018. This was one of the latest
spring seasons in years across northern Iowa, and it What factors boosted MaxYield’s balance sheet
challenged everyone. during the past fiscal year? They revolve around
cash flow and earnings. We reduced term debt and
Just like you, our team worked hard to make increased both working capital and equity last year.
adjustments on the fly as the delays kept coming. We expect these positive trends to continue in the
I’m proud of how our team handled everything. current fiscal year.
While it wasn’t an easy spring, everyone stayed
positive and adapted to provide solutions in a Going forward, we’re working hard to solidify our
high-pressure situation. financial base so MaxYield not only holds its own
during these challenging times, but can capitalize on
This spirit of adapting and overcoming is also opportunities when the ag economy turns around.
reflected in our financials. Your cooperative’s balance
sheet is growing stronger and will improve even more Thank you for your continued support of MaxYield.
from our last fiscal year. We appreciate the trust you place in us and will
remain focused on providing the solutions you need
We continue to focus on a three-tiered approach to succeed. ■
to financial management by:
• Investing in facilities and equipment
• Retiring MaxYield equity
• Timely retirement of bank debt
We also continue to look at using the domestic
production activities deduction (DPAD) to provide
tax incentives that benefit you and your cooperative.
4 / MY SOLUTIONS / SEPTEMBER 2018 /5
Making Sense of 2018 Field Stress Loads
It’s clear that 2018 will go down in the record books as one of the
tougher growing seasons. The challenges started back at planting time
and piled on since then.
“There wasn’t just one thing causing challenges this year,” said Dan
Bjorklund, seed team leader at MaxYield Cooperative. “It’s been a
combination of stresses coming together.”
Unlike the magic of compound interest, which helps money grow,
compound stresses take a negative toll on a crop. “If each stressor
reduces yield by 2 percent to 3 percent, and you’ve got five or six
stresses involved, it can add up quickly,” Bjorklund said.
What went wrong in local fields this spring and summer?
• Rootless corn syndrome. The • Herbicide carryover. Hot and dry
exceptionally wet spring meant the weather conditions in July 2017 led to
seed furrow was often wet when herbicide carryover issues in 2018. “This
planters rolled. Then the furrow has been pretty widespread throughout
opened back up when temperatures MaxYield’s territory,” Bjorklund said.
shot up into the 90s and the plants
sent out roots. “In cases of rootless
corn syndrome, the roots that did get • Weed control issues. Challenging
down in the soil were not symmetrical,” weather conditions throughout the
Bjorklund said. “In addition, we lost spring and early summer of 2018
some plant population because of that.” created another stress load from
weed control. “It was tough to get in
the fields to spray at the right time,”
• Saturated soils. Not only did excessive Bjorklund said.
rain delay planting, but saturated
soils created an environment with
inadequate oxygen for proper root • Nutrient deficiencies. Hot weather in
development. “So many factors May, combined with plant roots that
compromised good root development,” weren’t fully formed, made it difficult
Bjorklund said. “Big factors like for the crop to take in adequate
saturated soils allowed secondary nutrition. “High heat units in May helped
issues to come through, including the crop get off to a better start than
root-oriented disease.” Consider normal, but plants were growing faster
rhizoctonia root rot, which can damage than the roots could take in nutrition,”
soybean roots. “It shows up frequently Bjorklund said. “We do a lot of tissue
when conditions are hot and wet,” sampling, and the majority have come
Bjorklund said. back short on boron, zinc, sulfur
and magnesium.”
6 / MY SOLUTIONS / SEPTEMBER 2018 Photo by Katie Decker /7
In addition, wet conditions this spring reduced nodulation in
soybeans, which led to less nitrogen fixation, Bjorklund said. “In
areas of corn going back to beans, a lot of the microorganisms
ADD SEED TREATMENTS. There are many options
that are needed for nodulation died out, due to wet conditions, for seed treatments, and premium seed treatments can
especially in ponded areas of fields.” offer the best value in tougher situations where field stress
loads are high. “Knowing what we know now, this is the year
What can you do to mitigate these stresses? I would have used Tripidity due to the enhanced growth
So, what can be learned from the high field stress loads of that was seen versus untreated seed,” Bjorklund said. Also
2018 to help mitigate risk in 2019? Start by working with consider adding fresh inoculant to your standard seed
your MaxYield agronomy specialist, MaxYield seed solutions
treatment package, he added.
specialist and SciMax Solutions specialist to diagnose what’s
going on in your fields and find solutions, said Bjorklund, who
offered five additional tips:
DAN BJORKLAND
seed team leader
LOOK AT FOLIAR NUTRIENT APPLICATIONS. If
tissue tests reveal nutrient deficiencies, foliar applications of
micronutrients can help alleviate some of these challenges.
Our historical data proves a good return on investment.
START WITH THE SEED. Select varieties and
hybrids that offer the most agronomically sound package.
In heavier soils, go with genetics that produce more CONSIDER FUNGICIDES. “If there was ever a year for
robust roots. fungicide, 2018 was it,” Bjorklund said. Many studies have
proven the value of fungicides in a variety of conditions,
he added. “For the past four years, we’ve seen a pretty
significant return on investment with fungicides in corn and
soybeans. In corn, we’ve seen higher yields of 10-20 bushels
more consistently with fungicide use.”
SOIL TEST. Ensuring adequate nutrition for the crop
Above all, focus on ways to protect yield potential in the good parts of your
doesn’t have to be a guessing game if you start with a soil
fields, even when the stress load is noticeable on certain acres.
test. “Know what you’re working with,” Bjorklund said.
“If your soils are shy on micronutrients like sulfur, look at “I know times are tough and margins are tight,” Bjorklund said. “If you look at
adding these for the next growing season.” an 80- or 160-acre field, though, and see beyond the bad spots, you’ve still got
a majority of the field that you can work with to push higher yields.” ■
8 / MY SOLUTIONS / SEPTEMBER 2018 Photo by Katie Decker /9
LOCATION PROFILE
The Andersons for four years before MaxYield As the farms have changed, so have the grain
purchased the seven locations in April 2016. elevators that serve them. Greenville, which used to
be served by the Milwaukee railroad, used to have a
All these transitions cost the Greenville location some single grain bin east of the office, along with three flat
clients through the years. “The different changes in storage areas for grain. Grain could be shipped by rail
ownership every few years made it tough,” Engel until the tracks were removed around 1975-76.
said. “If a client leaves, you have to earn that trust
back and rebuild that relationship again.” In the 2000s, Greenville received a new
15,000-bushel-per-hour grain leg. “The old grain leg
was so slow it was pathetic,” Engel said. “Between the
new grain leg and the new bins we’ve added, it has all
made a huge difference.”
Along with fast service, MaxYield offers a Keytrol
fuel station at Greenville. Members of the local coffee
crowd stop by the office each morning for hot
coffee and fresh popcorn. Some drop by again in
the afternoon.
Even the coffee crowd has changed through the years
in Greenville. “It used to be a card playing group who
exchanged small amounts of money,” said Engel,
who noted that the crowd was biggest in the winter.
IT’S GREAT TO BE BACK:
“There might be 12 to 14 people in here, which made it
tough to do business since you had no privacy.”
There used to be quite a few smokers among the
Greenville Location Embraces Client-First Mindset coffee crowd. “In the dead of the winter, you’d have to
open the windows to try to clear the smoke out of the
office,” Engel said.
All that changed in 2008, when Iowa lawmakers
passed the Smokefree Air Act, which prohibits
As the Greenville location at MaxYield Cooperative Multiple transitions created challenges Greenville evolves with the times
smoking in enclosed areas within places of
prepares for its third harvest, it hasn’t just
Greenville’s history in the grain business dates back Engel believes the cooperative system offers one of employment. “That was kind of hard on the coffee
transitioned from a seasonal location to a full-time
generations. The business was a privately-owned grain the best ways to grow these relationships, since the crowd,” said Engel, who enjoys visiting with the
location. Moving from a corporate business structure
elevator for decades. In the 1970s, Greenville joined business exists to serve the farmers. His cooperative regulars who continue to stop by the Greenville office.
to a cooperative system has also redefined Greenville.
with grain facilities in Langdon and Spencer before all roots run deep, back to the years he was growing up
Engel appreciates the chance to serve local farmers.
“I like MaxYield’s focus on being a solutions three were bought by Farmers Co-op in Everly, which in Paullina.
“Our clients are forward thinkers who adapt to
provider for our clients,” said Kent Engel, Greenville later included Hartley, Royal and Milford. change and are willing to try new things. They are
“My father, Robert, managed the co-op at Paullina
grain superintendent. “It’s great to be back in the good people to be working for.” ■
The cooperative merged with Superior in the 2000s for more than 30 years,” said Engel, who has worked
cooperative system.”
to become Great Lakes Cooperative. Within a few in the cooperative system since 1977. “I grew up
Greenville plays an important role in MaxYield’s west years, Green Plains bought the cooperative and around the elevator. To me, that was like growing up
territory. Located about 10 miles south of Spencer, its locations. on the farm.”
MaxYield Cooperative is the biggest economic engine
“Ethanol was coming on board around that time,” Engel has seen a lot of changes in agriculture during
in this town of approximately 60-plus residents.
Engel said. “Management said this might be a case his career, including the size of the farms. “When I
Greenville offers 1.5 million bushels of grain storage, where if we can’t beat them, we should join them and was growing up, a quarter section was a pretty big
including two 350,000-bushel bins and one provide corn for the ethanol plant in Superior.” farm,” he noted.
710,000-bushel bin that were built in recent years.
Providing fast, efficient grain handling services is one The Greenville location was part of Green Plains for
of the hallmarks of Greenville. about four years. “We had a lot of transition in a short
amount of time,” Engel said.
It’s a whole different mindset than when the location
was part of the corporate structure before that. More change occurred when Greenville and other
“Corporate has a mission to provide maximum return locations in Green Plains were sold to The Andersons,
to the shareholders,” Engel said. “That’s a much Inc. in Ohio. “The Andersons had facilities in Nebraska
different philosophy than a cooperative, where the and wanted to fill in the gaps from Nebraska to Ohio,”
members are the owners.” said Engel, who noted that Greenville was part of
10 / MY SOLUTIONS / SEPTEMBER 2018 / 11
Harvest Checklist
TOP 5 THINGS TO KNOW WHEN
DELIVERING GRAIN TO MAXYIELD HARVEST 2018 ALERT!
SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH MAXYIELD’S ON-FARM PICKUP SERVICE
1. Please provide MaxYield locations the
correct grain ownership splits prior to
delivery, or take time to handle this with
the first load. “It’s very important to have
4. Understand when storage charges
or price-later fees start. Both start on
the average day of the delivery file. Let’s
say you start delivering on October 1 and
your grain in the correct ownership name,” deliver grain for the next five consecutive
said Harry Bormann, MaxYield’s grain days. The average day storage charges
team leader. would be October 4. “That means there’s
2.
no financial advantage to wait until the
All delivered grain needs to be settled fifteenth day to settle grain to storage or
within 15 days of first delivery date. Why? price-later,” Bormann said.
“It can be in your best interest to get grain
settled to a check, since you get the cash REMINDER: MaxYield’s storage charges
now,” Bormann said. “You can also go with and price-later fees are on a daily rate (no
deferred payment, warehouse storage minimum fee), so even if you sell soon after
(protected by Iowa Grain Indemnity Fund) putting grain in storage, your storage cost
or price-later contracts.” is only a few cents.
If delivered fall grain is unsold, waiting
until the fifteenth day or longer to sell has
historically provided no financial advantage
and may even cost you profit potential.
5. Know how grain contracts should be
signed. Individual clients simply sign
their name, legibly. Partnerships and
corporations are a little different. They need
“Time is not always the client’s friend,” said to sign the farm name, then under that they
Bormann, who added that the State of Iowa must sign the name of an individual who
requires all inbound grain to be settled is an approved officer or partner. “For the
within 30 days of first load, or what the client’s security, the state of Iowa requires
elevator policy states. us to have a list on file of authorized
3.
signatures for each farm, corporation or
Review MaxYield’s grain moisture
partnership,” Bormann said.
averaging policy. For corn, MaxYield
averages loads from 17.0% on down, but REMINDER: The state of Iowa requires all
must average 15.0% or less to avoid drying price later and deferred payment contracts
and shrink. “Corn moisture averaging signed within 30 days of first delivery One of the biggest Big or small, on-farm pickup works for all
can be a significant savings to clients, date. If the client fails to return these complaints we hear from We can tailor the trucking needs to fit any size of farming
compared to selling to ethanol plants or signed contracts, the state of Iowa requires
feed mills who do not average moisture,” farmers is that they never operation, whether on-farm or from the field. It’s like having
MaxYield Cooperative to write the client an extra person on your harvest team.
Bormann said. a check for his/her deferred payment and have enough time. MaxYield
For soybeans, MaxYield averages loads move the price-later bushels to warehouse Grain can help. Our on-farm While we do gear up specifically for the demands of fall,
receipt. To speed up the process, these we also offer this service year-round—not just when it’s
from 14.5% on down, but must average pickup service helps you
13.0% or less to avoid shrink. When MaxYield contracts can be signed and returned via convenient for us. Our one stipulation is that we need to be
ships soybeans to area processing plants, email or fax. ■ save time, labor costs and able to fill a truckload within 20 minutes.
the soybeans must be 13.0% or there is a reduces the wear-and-tear This program continues to grow each year as more clients
discount of 13 to 16 cents per bushel. on your equipment. (Driving use our on-farm grain pickup service. Contact your nearest
“We advise clients not to ship beans direct those high-priced tractors MaxYield location for more details. ■
to processors above 13%, as you lose more to pull wagons to town isn’t
on the moisture discount, compared to the
better direct-ship bid,” Bormann said.
cheap…not to mention the
price of tractor tires.)
12 / MY SOLUTIONS / SEPTEMBER 2018
/ 13
FUEL ROUTE
CHANGES AHEAD
Once upon a time, most farmer-owned cooperatives were one-location While MaxYield is switching from three delivery routes to two, all the
businesses. At most they had three or four locations. delivery drivers will remain with MaxYield. “We enjoy the relationships
we build with our clients and want to maintain these partnerships,”
Those co-ops typically had a fuel tank wagon at each location. They Besch said.
could often provide radio dispatch for same-day fuel delivery, due to
the small size of the trade territory and the large number of farms in While MaxYield appreciates at least a 24-hour notice for fuel orders, the
the area. energy team understands that challenges sometimes arise. This spring
was a great example, Besch noted. “It would rain for three weeks, you’d
“Today, everything has changed, both on the farm and at the co-op,” said have two days to farm and it was easy to run out of fuel. In cases like this,
Chad Besch, energy team leader for MaxYield Cooperative. “The same we do everything we can to help you.”
dynamics that have led to larger and fewer farms have prompted us to
re-evaluate our fuel delivery routes.” If your farming operation has grown to the point that your fuel barrel
goes from full to empty in 24 hours, however, talk to your MaxYield
MaxYield is comprised of more than 20 locations, with a trade territory energy solutions specialist. “We have solutions to match your fuel
covering hundreds of miles. There are significantly fewer farms on storage needs with your business,” Besch said.
each section than there were in years past.
These options become even more important as agriculture continues to
“Our trucks often cover a territory of 50 miles or more,” Besch evolve, he added. “We want to provide the solutions you need. We’re all
said. “It’s a lot different from the days when a tank wagon only in this together.”
covered about 10 miles.”
That’s why MaxYield requests at least a 24-hour
notice for fuel orders. It’s also why the company How to order fuel online
is consolidating refined-fuel delivery routes by
eliminating one truck and having those deliveries Did you know you can order gasoline, diesel and
handled by all of the surrounding routes to liquid propane from your smartphone, mobile device
increase efficiencies and save money. or computer? Log on to www.maxyieldenergy.com/
orderonline, and you’ll find handy drop-down menus
“Even if you see MaxYield’s truck drive by your to guide you through the ordering process.
place in the morning, the driver can’t always
turn around on short notice and come back Once you submit your information through this
to fill your tank if you didn’t place your order secure site, it will be emailed to the MaxYield
ahead of time,” Besch said. “The driver likely energy team. We’re pleased to offer you one more
has eight hours of work to complete on a way to reach out to MaxYield, and we appreciate
route that spans many miles.” your business. ■
What to do?
Consolidating delivery routes will help MaxYield
provide the most competitive fuel prices
possible. “All of our costs in the energy
business are rising,” Besch said.
“Being able to keep prices
competitive is a win.”
14 / MY SOLUTIONS / SEPTEMBER 2018 / 15
NEVER
“We got a police escort all day, so our bus didn’t 2000. He also hauled livestock, mainly feeder pigs,
stop at any traffic lights,” said Kerber, who is grateful for four years and became an over-the-road truck
TOO LATE
for donors like MaxYield that make the Honor Flights driver for one year. In 2004, he started a new job as
possible. “They told us, ‘You are as important today a truck driver for MaxYield.
TO SAY
as the president of the United States.’”
“I hauled everything but fuel,” Kerber said. “I mostly
THANK
This was Kerber’s first time in Washington, D.C., hauled grain and fertilizer, and I saw the whole
and he appreciated seeing the Vietnam Veterans company with my route.”
memorial, the World War II memorial and the
That freedom appealed to Kerber. “I loved trucking
YOU:
Korean War memorial. What impressed him most,
though, was the Air Force memorial and its missing- for MaxYield. It would have driven me nuts to sit in
man formation. one spot all day.”
When it was time to return to Iowa, Kerber and his Since he retired in 2010, Kerber stays active in the
local community. He sings bass with the Cornbelt
Honor Flight Helps fellow veterans were surprised by mail call on the
plane. “When you were in the service, two days were Chorus barbershop group, which is based in
Vietnam Veteran Heal very important to us—pay day and mail call,” Algona. The group performs concerts in Algona and
Emmetsburg each March. They also offer church
Kerber said. “It was great to receive letters written
by our family, and each one of us got a PayDay “sing outs” once or twice a year. The group selects
candy bar, too.” a town, contacts a local church and schedules a
Sunday performance.
The shrieks from one angry man at the Embracing freedom, family and patriotism
San Francisco airport in October 1969
still haunt Ken Kerber. They echo long Family is important
after Kerber returned to America from to Kerber. He
his service as an Air Force crew chief started his own
in Thailand during the Vietnam War. family in his early
20s while he was
“I wasn’t 50 feet off the ramp when in the Air Force.
that protestor starting shouting,” said His daughter,
Kerber, a retired MaxYield Cooperative Angela, turned one
truck driver. year old October
14, 1967, less than
The protestor’s venom infuriated
a week before he
Kerber, who had not only enlisted and
shipped out on
served honorably in the U.S. Air Force
October 20 for
from 1965 to 1969, but had married
overseas duty.
and started a family during this time.
Kerber had been proud to serve “I missed out on
his country, yet he couldn’t erase her second year,”
memories of his military service said Kerber, who
fast enough. knew Angela didn’t
recognize him
“When I came home, I burned
Honor Flight from Fort Dodge to Washington, D.C., when he returned home. “She started crying when I “Barbershop is fun,” Kerber said. “We want to get
everything but my combat boots and my medals
this spring, he took the opportunity. gave her mom a hug and a kiss.” back into competitions, too.”
as soon as I could,” said Kerber, who grew up in the
Fenton area. “I started farming and didn’t talk about “It was awesome,” said Kerber, who is amazed that Kerber doesn’t regret his military service, though. Kerber also enjoys spending time with his family,
my military service for 20 years.” he and his fellow veterans were greeted by more He had been employed by a lumberyard in Fenton including his wife, Ruth, their children and 17
than 400 people and a band when they arrived at where he worked in construction before enlisting grandchildren. Many of his family and friends came to
He could have shared stories about receiving the
Washington Dulles International Airport on May in the Air Force at age 20. “I loved being a crew Fort Dodge when the May 12 Honor Flight landed at
Vietnam service medal, good conduct medal and
12. “Little kids—maybe 4 or 5 years old—shook our chief,” Kerber said. “I liked being outside and enjoyed the airport around 11 p.m.
target shooting medal, but why bother? The whole
hands and thanked us for our service. I cried like working on aircraft.”
topic of Vietnam seemed to trigger nothing but rage. “My wife says I’m a soft-hearted veteran. The Honor
a baby, because I’d never received a thank you
While Kerber was stationed in Thailand, far removed Flight, Memorial Day and the 4th of July get me right
“A lot of my friends were in the local American like this.”
from the worst battles in Vietnam, conditions weren’t here,” said Kerber, tapping his chest over his heart.
Legion, but I didn’t want anything to do with it
Experiencing memorials to mail call always easy. “It was so hot, plus there was monsoon “When someone asked if I’d do the Honor Flight
then,” said Kerber, who had experience with T-38
season, so our barracks were about two to three feet again if I could, I said, ‘Yes, in a heartbeat.’” ■
pilot trainers in Arizona and became a crew chief North Iowa veterans from the Vietnam War, the off the ground.”
specializing in F-4 fighter jets in Vietnam. Korean War and World War II spent the entire day in
Washington, D.C., visiting war memorials and sharing All those memories were part of the past, though, for
Time has a way of changing things, though. When
memories that only fellow veterans truly understand. Kerber, who farmed for 30 years near Fenton until
Kerber had the chance to join the Brushy Creek Area
16 / MY SOLUTIONS / SEPTEMBER 2018 / 17
MaxYield, which includes approximately 210 team Wester, who has worked with MaxYield for three
members, offers a huge wealth of knowledge for years, valued the learning exchange. “Rosie has good
learning exchanges, Guenther said. “We identify ideas for managing inventory. The things I learned
people like Rosie who are experts in their area and from her have helped me save time.”
match them with someone else in the company who
wants to learn.” Smith appreciates the time savings and cost savings
that have resulted from the learning exchange. “Travis
Before a learning exchange takes place, Guenther has also gained more ownership in his duties and has
prepares all team members involved, which includes become more efficient and accurate,” he added.
creating a list of questions to guide the conversation
during the learning exchange. The questions range
from “What three things did you learn?” to “How can
you put this knowledge into practice?”
Preparing team members in this way not only
offers team members guidance, but also sets an
expectation for learning. “We build accountability
into learning at MaxYield,” Guenther said.
Demuth knows the power of putting learning into
action. “We get comfortable at our locations and
fall into routines. We benefit from a fresh set of
eyes when team members from other locations ask
questions about why we do things the way we do.
This encourages us to think about better ways of
doing things.”
Learning exchanges also build teamwork across
MaxYield’s trade territory. There’s something inspiring
about people coming together to learn from one
another and create a solution,” Guenther said.
“Learning exchanges are a powerful way to build
bridges throughout the company. It becomes a web
of learning where we rely upon each other.”
Tapping a Wealth of Knowledge: These connections endure long after the learning
exchange ends, Demuth added. “A lot of times it’s
Learning Exchange Pays Off at MaxYield faster and more effective to call a MaxYield team
member if you have a question than it is to call an
outside source. No matter how long you’ve been
When Rosie Demuth joined a leadership training was working at the time. Demuth and fellow team here, you can learn something new.” Coming full circle
program a few years ago at MaxYield Cooperative, member Jesse Zinnel later toured the agronomy
she was enthusiastic about everything, although she plant at Everly.
Connections foster competence, confidence It’s exciting for Demuth to see her fellow MaxYield
didn’t know what to make of the new concept called Demuth expanded her network this winter when Bob team members take on new roles and responsibilities
a learning exchange. “This was an eye-opening experience for me,” said as they expand their knowledge.
Smith, MaxYield’s location leader at Britt, asked her
Demuth, who has worked for MaxYield since 2010.
about participating in a learning exchange with Travis “I have a passion for teaching and learning. I enjoy
Patti Guenther, learning and development leader “To this day, that learning exchange has helped build
Wester, grain superintendent at Britt. the learning exchanges so much; I feel like I’m getting
at MaxYield, proposed this opportunity after the relationship with the Everly team, plus I learned a
MaxYield acquired seven new locations in 2016. lot. That sold me on the learning exchange concept.” Wester is well versed in the grain side of the business a vacation even when I’m at work. If I can share my
Back then, Demuth was working at MaxYield’s and is also responsible for operating the liquid experience and help other team members improve
West Bend location. The learning exchange would Filling learning gaps their locations, I’m all for it.”
fertilizer plant in the spring. “I wanted Travis to see
connect her with team members from MaxYield’s MaxYield places a high value on learning exchanges, a different perspective on how other locations work Each learning exchange brings everything full circle
new Everly location. because training and development are among the with their inventory and chemical loading process,” for MaxYield. “Learning exchanges help us become
cooperative’s top four initiatives. Corporate training Smith said. more efficient and serve our clients effectively,”
“I was a little hesitant at first,” said Demuth,
MaxYield’s Emmetsburg location manager. “I hadn’t can be much more than someone standing in front of Guenther said. “These investments will pay off for
Demuth showed Wester how her team handles these
met any of the Everly team members, and I didn’t a classroom and lecturing, Guenther noted. years to come.” ■
jobs at Emmetsburg. She also enjoyed learning about
really know what I was getting into.” “Research shows that most adult learners want Wester’s system at Britt. “It was interesting to see
what’s relevant to their everyday work, and they how Travis has his computer system set up so the
Harvey Lyman, Everly’s location leader, and other
prefer hands-on learning.” trucks can’t be overfilled,” she said.
Everly team members toured MaxYield’s West Bend
location’s crop protection shed, where Demuth
18 / MY SOLUTIONS / SEPTEMBER 2018 / 19THROUGH THE EYES
OF AN INTERN:
MEET MAXYIELD’S 2018 SUMMER INTERNS
COLBY KRANINGER
seed and agronomy sales intern Steve Schany, mentor (left) and Colby Kraninger
Colby Kraninger is no stranger to MaxYield. While he high school. We baled small square bales, plus I worked
was a seed/agronomy sales intern during the summer for local farmers. I like the people in ag, and there’s
of 2018, he first started working with MaxYield for on- always something new every day in farming.
the-job training (OJT) in the grain department at the
Fostoria location in the fall of 2014. Q: What have you enjoyed about your MaxYield
seed/agronomy sales internship?
“It was a good experience, but I figured out I didn’t want
to be a grain originator,” said Kraninger, 22, a senior A: Each experience I’ve had has helped me get
at Iowa State University (ISU) majoring in agronomy. one step close to the career I’d like to work in after
college. I have my commercial driver’s license (CDL)
During his second OJT, Kraninger worked at and have delivered seed. I’ve also treated seed and
MaxYield’s Emmetsburg location and ran the dry helped my brother in the warehouse in Spencer. I’ve
Any business professional knows that success can Interns at MaxYield have the opportunity to explore fertilizer facility and the liquid fertilizer plant in crop scouted, too. I like working with the MaxYield
carry intellectual baggage. Relying too much on a diverse array of career options, from agronomy Dickens. “I thought about being an applicator,” said team because I can ask questions and bounce ideas
prior experience can hinder the ability to learn and to grain to communications. Each intern is paired Kraninger, who earned two associates degrees (one off them. I also like talking to the farmers who do
seek fresh perspectives. with at least one mentor within the company to in ag sales and service, and one in ag operations business with MaxYield. I clock in at Milford, and
accelerate the learning process. “Interns are good and technology) from North Iowa Area Community there’s a lot of farmers in the coffee crowd there.
That’s why MaxYield Cooperative values interns so for our mentors, too,” Heim said. “Interns not only College in December 2016.
much. They’re not just students, they’re rookies, Q: How have you benefited by having Steve Schany
ask a lot of questions, but they ask questions from a Kraninger came back to MaxYield last summer to and Tom Evans as your mentors at MaxYield?
and rookies offer a lot of benefits. They are different angle that offers us a unique perspective.”
unencumbered, with no track record to limit their work at the chemical facility in Dickens and help
with soil sampling. This summer, he decided to A: I’m really comfortable with Steve because he’s
thinking or aspirations. They also operate with a MaxYield’s internship program also builds up a pool easy to talk to and easy to work with. Tom is a
drive that propels them to tackle learning curves, of candidates the cooperative can tap into when try something new. “I was a little intimidated by a
sales internship but decided it would be a good straightforward kind of guy who gives you a list of
explore new terrain and innovate. full-time job opportunities arise. This helps cut the projects, and you get the work done. They don’t
recruiting window from months to weeks or days, in experience.”
“Year-round recruiting is something we’ve babysit you here and give you a lot of independence.
some cases. “The internship program is one of the Q: What inspired you to study agriculture
emphasized for more than 10 years, and internships best strategic actions we’ve implemented to guide Q: What are your career goals after graduation?
are a key part of this,” said Keith Heim, MaxYield’s in college?
students on their career path in agriculture and
CEO. “Working with the next generation of leaders attract top talent to MaxYield. It’s a win-win A: I’ve been around farming my whole life. I grew up A: I’ve figured out I wanted to be an agronomist. I’m
who will be reshaping the future of agriculture for everyone.” on an acreage by Okoboji. My brother, Dakota, who is in coming back to MaxYield after graduating from ISU.
encourages us to think in new directions and see charge of seed treatments and MaxYield’s warehouse I’ve worked with MaxYield long enough that I know
things from a new perspective.” So what’s it really like to be a MaxYield intern? Let’s in Spencer, ran a baling operation with me all through a lot about the company. I’m comfortable with the
hear from the students themselves. people and the co-op system.
20 / MY SOLUTIONS / SEPTEMBER 2018 / 21Editor’s Note: A Minute with MaxYield Mentor Steve Schany, Seed I liked how every Monday afternoon
Solutions Specialist we went to MaxYield’s learning plots
Kraninger is the son of James and Lisa Kraninger.
at Algona and other locations. Dan
A 2014 graduate of Okoboji High School, Kraninger Q: What have you enjoyed about working with Colby?
was active in his local FFA chapter, where he served
Bjorklund, MaxYield’s seed team leader,
as sentinel. He and his brother still run their custom A: Colby is extremely hard working, always willing and other MaxYield team members
baling operation. They also put in food plots for deer to learn more and takes a lot of pride in his work. He covered different topics each week.
and upland game. A lifelong outdoorsman, Kraninger understands the value of this internship and wants to They explained the growth stages of
credits his father with teaching him how to fish. He maximize every second to become better prepared corn and soybeans and talked about
enjoys fishing at Okoboji and the Webster Lake chain for when he goes out on his own in the business what was going on in the field right
in east-central South Dakota. He spends his Christmas world. Not many kids do that. Some just punch the now. These learning opportunities have
breaks ice fishing at Red Lake in northern Minnesota.
clock to get paid and list the internship on their been really valuable.
resume. I don’t think I’ve ever had an intern ask so Q: How have you benefited by having
many questions like Colby. He’s always thinking about Cody Ostendorf and Jon Kaduce as
agriculture and how to grow a crop. your mentors at MaxYield?
Q: What do you appreciate about MaxYield’s A: Cody is like a walking encyclopedia
internship program? of knowledge. He knows his stuff
about agronomy, and he’s good at
A: We have all summer to evaluate who a student working with people. Jon is also very
really is and what type of value he or she could bring knowledgeable. He explains things in
to MaxYield. Without these internships, we’d have a way that’s easy to understand, and
to figure out if a person is a good fit for a job with he’s very straightforward.
just a couple of interviews. A lot of companies and
managers fail at finding quality candidates this way. Q: What are your career goals
MaxYield is essentially getting a three-month head after graduation?
Colby Kraninger
start on the hiring process with potential candidates.
A: I want to stay in the Midwest. I
like crops and enjoy the problem-
solving aspect of figuring out what’s
going on in the field so I can help the
client address that challenge. I want
a job where I interact with growers,
because I’m not as interested in
research or operations. My MaxYield Leah Bunkers
internship is helping me get more
LEAH BUNKERS
seed and agronomy sales intern
clarity with my career goals. It’s also
helping me decide whether I like
Editor’s Note:
working for a big company, a small Bunkers and her family enjoy spending time at Okoboji, and she also
Leah Bunkers (left) and Cody Ostendorf, mentor likes fishing.
company or something in between.
Sometimes it takes awhile for the right time to come I’ve grown up in agriculture. I work at my family’s A Minute with MaxYield Mentor Cody Ostendorf, what’s comfortable and get tunnel vision about what
along for a MaxYield internship, but the opportunity business when I’m home. Seed Solution Specialist you perceive to be the most effective way. Interns’
is worth it. Just ask Leah Bunkers. curiosity and diverse experiences help to shake
Q: What have you enjoyed about your Q: What have you enjoyed about working with Leah? those things up a little bit and make sure we aren’t
“I talked to MaxYield about an internship a few years MaxYield internship?
ago but already had another internship lined up,” said A: Leah’s personality is great. Clients and team becoming complacent.
Bunkers, 22, a senior at South Dakota State University A: My goals for this internship were to gain more members enjoy having her around because she works Q: How did your own MaxYield internship boost
who is majoring in ag business and precision ag. knowledge about identifying issues in the field, like hard and has a good sense of humor. Leah is great your career?
nutrient deficiencies, insects, weeds and disease. at starting a conversation with anyone, making them
People kept telling her about MaxYield, though. She
I also want to learn more about crop protection feel welcome and bringing a smile to their face. I have A: My internship at MaxYield in 2010 enabled me
heard more about the company from Todd Meyer, a
product recommendations. learned much from Leah about effective ways to to see the entire company and interact with many
MaxYield board member from Everly. “I also heard
interact with people. different clients. I worked alongside a variety of
from reliable sources outside the company, including I was based out of Meservey and Belmond and people who had different styles of conducting
our DEKALB® district sales manager. They told me worked out of the Garner location, too. I helped a Q: What do you appreciate about MaxYield’s business. I didn’t know what I didn’t know until I
MaxYield offers really good internships. I valued this lot in the seed warehouse since much of the spring internship program? was exposed to the broad, interactive internship at
unbiased input.” and early summer was so rainy. I got to interact with
A: Beyond getting a trial run with prospective MaxYield. I was driven to pull from the best of those,
Q: What inspired you to study agriculture in college? clients when they picked up seed or we delivered which has shaped how I interact with clients and
seed to them. team members and accomplishing crucial tasks,
A: My family owns a full-service, independent interns offer new perspectives to MaxYield team team members.
elevator, Bunkers Feed and Supply, in Granville, Iowa. Throughout the summer I also spent more time in members. It’s easy to become entrenched with
My grandpa started this business 57 years ago, and the field. I helped collect tissue samples on Monday
mornings, plus I’ve scouted fields and have pulled
corn nematode samples.
22 / MY SOLUTIONS / SEPTEMBER 2018 / 23Q: How have you benefited by having Chad Meyer A Minute with MaxYield Mentor Chad Meyer, Client
as your mentor at MaxYield? Relations/Communications
A: Chad has worked really hard to involve me in as Q: What have you enjoyed about working with Katie?
many things as he can. He prioritizes my career goals
A: Katie brings an amazing skill set as a
around my internship goals.
communications intern. She’s a talented
Q: What are your career goals after graduation? photographer who already has multiple years
of experience operating her own photography
A: I’d like to stay in Iowa because I love it here. I’d
business. Katie catches on fast, and her perspective
also like a job that has a lot of variety every day.
as a business owner and photographer has greatly
Since I’ve already started a photography business,
benefited MaxYield.
I’ve seen how I can do what I love and live where I
want to live, right here in rural Iowa. She understands graphic design, brings good
interviewing skills and has produced quality videos
for both our recruitment efforts and our seed/
agronomy “From the Field” videos. Katie has been a
Editor’s Note: tremendous asset to MaxYield this summer.
Decker, a former FFA member, is now a member of Q: What do you appreciate about MaxYield’s
the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) internship program?
at ISU. During her second semester of college, A: I enjoy working with our interns every year.
she served as a secretary for Sen. Dan Zumbach,
We strive to make MaxYield’s internship programs
who chaired the Senate Ag Committee in the
one of the best in the industry. MaxYield is willing
Iowa Senate. In her free time, she enjoys running,
spending time at Twin Lakes with her family and
to dedicate time and resources to make this a
her Golden Retriever, Snickers, and building her successful learning opportunity for all the students.
photography business. The keys to our internship program are the many
top-notch mentors inside our company who are
willing to help students learn and grow while
at MaxYield.
If Katie Decker puts her mind to something, there’s When I was on my own, I had to step up to the plate.
no stopping her. When a friend needed someone I also found out I liked working in ag.
to take his senior pictures in high school, Decker
Q: What have you enjoyed about your MaxYield
handled the job. Even though she was a junior in high
communications internship?
school at the time, she did her homework, learned
from professional photographers on YouTube and A: I’m interested in photography and design, so
practiced—a lot. my goals were to enhance my video production
skills and learn from Greg Latza, the professional
Decker used this same approach when she was
photographer who works with MaxYield. I also
selecting an internship. “I was really determined to
wanted to learn more about the cooperative system
get an internship this summer,” said Decker, 20, of
and discover how everything comes together to
Rockwell City, who is an ISU sophomore majoring
create a successful business.
in ag communications. “I did a lot of homework
about various companies before the ISU ag career While I knew about co-ops from growing up on a
fair. MaxYield stood out because it has such an farm, I never realized how multi-faceted a co-op
established, clear-cut internship program.” like MaxYield is. I was surprised by all the different
jobs, including Patti Guenther’s role as learning and
TYLER HOFFMAN
Even so, not everyone in Decker’s family thought
development team leader.
this internship would be exceptional. “When my
grandparents heard I’d be working for a co-op, they I’ve liked the work setting here and the way MaxYield crop scouting and soil sampling intern Tyler Hoffman (left) and Levi Quayle, mentor
thought I’d probably have to run the scale and mow focuses on the team. I’ve enjoyed creating training
the lawn,” Decker said. “It’s not like that at all. It’s a and intern feature videos for MaxYield’s YouTube
continuous learning process and great leadership channel and have liked working on MaxYield’s
You just never know where you’ll come across a great Hoffman, who grew up on a farm near Graettinger,
development opportunity here.” tractor calendar.
opportunity. Just ask Tyler Hoffman. started asking his buddies what they knew about
Q: What inspired you to study agriculture in college? I’ve also liked the field trips, including the chance MaxYield. He checked in with Costas Hatzipavlides,
“I want to learn more about the business side of
to work with PSI Printing in Fort Dodge to discuss a fellow ISU student who completed a soil sampling/
A: I grew up on a farm near Rockwell City, where ag,” said Hoffman, 21, a junior who is majoring in ag
design ideas for MaxYield’s calendar. I’ve also visited crop scouting internship in 2017 at MaxYield.
my family runs Farmers Best Popcorn. My great- business with a minor in agronomy at ISU. “When my
the communications team at CHS in Inver Grove
grandfather started Farmers Best as a livestock feed mom was at a women-in-ag seminar, she talked to “Costas has a lot of good things to say about
Heights, Minn., and Paulsen Marketing, the agency in
business. My summer job was to go to stores and someone from MaxYield who encouraged me to meet MaxYield, so I decided I wanted to intern here, too,”
Sioux Falls that designs MaxYield’s magazine.
hand out samples of popcorn and stock the shelves. with Chad Meyer at ISU’s ag career day last fall.” Hoffman said.
24 / MY SOLUTIONS / SEPTEMBER 2018 / 25Q: What inspired you to study agriculture in college?
A: I’ve been around ag my whole life. My parents, Duane and
A Minute with MaxYield Mentor Levi
Quayle, Agronomy Specialist JASON HINKELDEY
crop scouting and soil sampling intern
Kimberly, raise corn, soybeans, cattle and hogs near Graettinger. Q: What have you enjoyed about
I also like working with growers. I can relate to them, since working with Tyler?
I grew up on a farm. When he was looking for a summer internship, Jason Hinkeldey
A: Tyler has a good attitude, works didn’t have to look too far from home.
Q: What have you enjoyed about your MaxYield internship? hard and pays attention. These are all
“MaxYield has a good reputation,” said Hinkeldey, 19, a sophomore
critical in a good intern.
A: I wanted to become more comfortable talking to growers and at South Dakota State University who is majoring in ag business with
have informed conversations with them about their unique needs Tyler has also been very helpful this a minor in agronomy and agricultural marketing.
and solutions for their acres. It has helped a lot to learn the basics year. No matter what the job is, he’ll He became even more confident after he watched YouTube videos
from soil sampling to crop scouting. This gives me the chance to talk get it done. He has never said no or of previous MaxYield interns and read their stories. “I knew I’d learn
to farmers about everything from switching maturity dates on corn complained if we need to work late or a lot with a MaxYield internship.”
to deciding what needs to be sprayed. start a little early.
Q: What inspired you to study agriculture in college?
I also like visiting MaxYield’s test plots, where we discuss a lot of He has helped unload a fertilizer
A: I grew up on a row-crop farm near Alta, Iowa, and want to go into
different agronomy topics. I learn new things and bounce ideas off train, crop scouted, soil sampled
production agriculture.
my dad. I’ve learned a lot more this summer through my MaxYield and handled many other things. It’s
internship than I have in some of my ag classes at college. I refreshing having someone who
appreciate this internship because it’s hands-on. That makes it a lot knows which fields he’s going to work
easier to grasp the information I’m learning. with every day, and he knows how
long it will take him. Tyler doesn’t just
Q: How have you benefited by having Levi Quayle and Matt Keel as know how many acres he can soil
your mentors at MaxYield? sample in one day, but he knows how
A: Levi is easy to talk to. I’ve learned a lot from him about weed many acres he can sample in
identification and what crop protection products to use. I like one hour. That attention to detail is A Minute with MaxYield Mentor
working with Matt, too, because he’s also easy to talk to and is fun very helpful. Amanda Pederson, Agronomy
to be around. Specialist
Tyler also brings practical knowledge
Q: What are your career goals after graduation? from growing up on a farm, so he Q: What have you enjoyed about
knows relevant questions to ask. working with Jason?
A: I’d like to stay in Iowa and am open to opportunities. I’ve gotten
Q: What do you appreciate about A: Jason is very motivated and eager
more interested in the agronomy side of the business through this
MaxYield’s internship program? to learn. He asks great questions and
internship. I’ve found that a lot of people don’t have an interest in
is always willing to jump in and help
agronomy until they have a MaxYield internship. I’m just scratching A: It benefits MaxYield by giving us with any project. He also has a very
the surface with what I’ve learned this summer and want to keep extra helping hands each summer. mature attitude, and I’m sure he is
learning about agronomy. The interns work hard and get a lot going to be successful wherever he
Q: What have you enjoyed about your MaxYield internship?
of stuff done, which really helps ends up. He has been a great asset
us out. The internship program A: It has been quite a trying year due to the weather, but that has to MaxYield for the months that he’s
also helps me get better at my job, also helped me learn a lot about agronomy. My goal for my MaxYield been here. The entire MaxYield team
because I have to teach what I know internship has been to gain more knowledge about variable-rate at the Algona location has enjoyed
to someone else. planting and precision ag. I enjoyed going to MaxYield’s test plot getting to know him.
near Algona, where we learned about hybrid selection, crop growth
Q: What do you appreciate about
staging, weed identification and nutrient deficiencies in plants. Dan
Editor’s Note: MaxYield’s internship program?
Bjorkland, MaxYield’s seed team leader, is a wealth of knowledge.
When Hoffman isn’t working or A: The intern program benefits
I learn best with hands-on experiences, because I retain more
studying, he enjoys working out MaxYield in many ways. It’s like a
information that way. I’ve also liked getting to know the MaxYield
at the gym, watching Netflix and season-long interview for potential
team. They’re ready to lend a helping hand whenever you need it.
spending time with his family full-time employment. Beyond that,
and friends. Q: How have you benefited by having Amanda Pederson and Chris the intern program also helps MaxYield
Warren as your mentors at MaxYield? train its agronomists to mentor and
teach. I know this has helped me
A: Amanda is very knowledgeable and has taught me a lot about
better understand how different
crop disease identification and modes of action with various crop
people learn in different ways.
protection products. I’ve also worked with Chris Warren with SciMax
Solutions, who has taught me a lot about variable-rate technology
and precision planting. Editor’s Note:
Q: What are your career goals after graduation? Hinkeldey enjoys watching sports
Tyler Hoffman
and cheers for the Iowa State
A: I’m a fifth-generation farmer and want to return home to farm University Cyclones.
full-time.
26 / MY SOLUTIONS / SEPTEMBER 2018 / 27Q: What inspired you to study Editor’s Note: A Minute with MaxYield Mentor Brian Cable, Agronomy Specialist
agriculture in college?
Tjossem likes to be outside, Q: What have you enjoyed about working with Cody?
A: My parents, Vernon and spending time with family
De Ann Tjossem, farm near and friends, golfing and A: Cody looks at things with a fresh set of eyes and asks a lot of good questions.
Sutherland and Royal and raise boating at the lake. He’s He’s also very knowledgeable and wants to learn.
involved in ISU’s Ag Business
corn and soybeans. I like growing Q: What do you appreciate about MaxYield’s internship program?
Club, which invites guest
things and enjoy making new speakers to campus to share
things. That’s what a lot of A: Interns like Cody provide an extra hand around MaxYield, but there’s more to
their stories of business
farming is. You put a seed in the it. The internship program is all about making connections. It benefits both the
ownership and offer tips on
ground and see if you can grow how to succeed in business. students and the MaxYield team, because it’s like a test drive that lets both
it into a good yield. sides see if the cooperative and the intern are a good fit when job opportunities
open up.
Q: What have you enjoyed about
your MaxYield internship?
A: While it’s hard to stay busy
at some agronomy internships,
there’s lots of hands-on training
in the field at MaxYield. To
actually be able to see and touch
the things you’re learning about
is great, because it’s nothing like
Cody Tjossem doesn’t settle for average. Instead of just
just reading a textbook.
We do tissue sampling early in the week, soil
DAYTON BRUGMAN
crop scouting and soil sampling intern
one major, he decided to pursue two majors at ISU. sampling and crop scouting. I also want to learn
more about machinery and equipment, and you Mason Mentink, mentor (left) and Dayton Brugman
“I looked into accounting but decided that was
need a strong base in agronomy to make the most
kind of boring,” said Tjossem, 19, a sophomore
of technology. MaxYield’s team members are always
who is majoring in ag business and supply chain In some ways, interning at MaxYield was like coming I was based out of Everly but had the chance to go all
willing to help me learn.
management. “I was more interested in business home for Dayton Brugman. Not only was he back over MaxYield’s trade territory. I got into soil sampling,
and chose supply chain management because I I know the work we’re doing matters because in northwest Iowa close to his hometown, but his crop scouting and tissue sampling. While there’s a push
like how it’s focused on doing things as efficiently MaxYield’s clients want us to help them learn how to internship has allowed him to learn even more about on getting the work done, MaxYield always emphasizes
as possible.” grow better crops. local agriculture. learning. It’s not just busy work. The team is also fun to
work with.
When it was time to look for a Q: How have you benefited by “I’ve grown up around MaxYield and heard about
summer internship, this ambitious, having Brian Cable and Megan how good their internships are,” said Brugman, 19, a I’d definitely recommend a MaxYield internship. It’s so
2017 South O’Brien High School Phelan as your mentors at 2017 Clay Central Everly High School graduate who is much different than writing answers on a test at college.
graduate was already familiar with MaxYield? studying ag business at Des Moines Area Community It’s a lot easier to grasp these concepts in the field.
MaxYield. “My brother, Brian, used College (DMACC) in Ankeny. “I worked in Dickens at
to be an applicator for MaxYield, A: Brian is very personable and the chemical facility and at the seed warehouse in Q: How have you benefited by having Mason
and he always had great things has introduced me to clients Spencer this spring. Treating seed and learning about Mentink as your mentor at MaxYield?
to say about the company,” said and the various MaxYield team the different types of seed really sparked my interest in A: Mason is very knowledgeable about agronomy.
Tjossem, who visited with the members in the area. This made agronomy.” He’s always fun to talk to and is good with the clients.
MaxYield team at the ISU College me feel welcome at MaxYield.
Q: What inspired you to study agriculture His ability to communicate with them is impressive
of Agriculture and Life Sciences I’ve also appreciated all the
in college? because he knows how to adapt to different
Career Day. hands-on experience Megan has
personalities. He knows what each client expects of
given me with tissue sampling
The more he learned about A: I grew up on a corn and soybean farm near MaxYield and works hard to serve them.
and other projects. She’s a
MaxYield, the more he liked the Peterson, so ag has been part of my life from the
good teacher. Q: What are your career goals after graduation?
internship program and MaxYield’s beginning. I like it and try to stay connected to farming
core values. “Going into this, I Q: What are your career goals no matter where I’m at. In the fall, I work for a farmer A: After I graduate from DMACC, I plan to transfer
wanted to be able to say I worked after graduation? near Ankeny and run the combine for him. to ISU in the fall of 2019. I’m undecided about what I
hard and got lots of experience Q: What have you enjoyed about your want to do at ISU and in my career, but my MaxYield
A: I’d prefer to stay in Iowa, but
here,” Tjossem said. “It’s important MaxYield internship? internship is helping me find out what interests me.
I’ll go where the jobs are.
to get involved as much as you can, I know I want to stay in Iowa after college. I’d like to
especially leadership positions, and A: I got an early start on my internship since I started come back to northwest Iowa, because I’m interested
get a lot of life experience.” here in March 2018. With a MaxYield internship you in production ag and running our family’s farm.
learn the foundations of agronomy from the roots
up. I’ve learned a lot by participating in MaxYield’s
plot days, where you learn from MaxYield’s team and
28 / MY SOLUTIONS / SEPTEMBER 2018
speakers from WinField. / 29You can also read
