Board of Directors
Craig Hoftyzer
President
Click to learn more!
Craig Hoftyzer
Craig and his wife Kristin live on the farm where he was born and raised South of Boyden. They have three children, Isaac and Jacob who farm with them and a daughter Chloe. Craig has enjoyed his time representing the member owners of Farmers Coop Society for the past 6 years. He is proud of the progress Farmers Coop Society has made to better serve its customers in efficiencies and technology, as well as seeing it grow in a responsible fashion.
Verlyn Raak
Vice President
Click to learn more!
Verlyn Raak
Raised on his family farm, nestled between Sioux Center and Ireton, Verlyn has dedicated his life to farming. He has been privileged to work alongside three generations of his family doing something he loves. Verlyn and his wife, Nancy, live and work on the family farm Verlyn grew up on. With four married children and eight grandchildren, the family remains at the core of his values. During his time on the board he has been able to witness the improvements in the locations in both the operations and increased employee engagement.
Josh Kempers
Secretary/Treasurer
Click to learn more!
Josh Kempers
Josh grew up on his family farm and in 2010 returned to the farm, to continue his family legacy. Josh raises corn, soybeans, and over 1,000 aronia berry bushes. Josh and his wife Lori have a son Kole, and two daughters, Celia and Jovie. Whether it’s been teaching high school agriculture or returning to the family farm, agriculture has been very good to Josh, and he has been blessed by it.
Gary Den Herder
Click to learn more!
Gary Den Herder
Gary and his wife Deanne live on a century farm one mile west of Sioux Center. They have four childres. They enjoy having all their children and grandchildren live close by. Gary is active in farming with his two sons Brad and Jacob, together they raise corn, soybeans, and custom feed hogs.
Michael Hulstein
Click to learn more!
Michael Hulstein
Michael and his wife Chelsea live on a farm near Sheldon, where he grows corn and soybeans. They are the parents to two girls and one boy. Michael has been farming since graduating from South Dakota State University in 2009. Michael has enjoyed being part of Farmers Coop Society’s success and looks forward to being a part of the direction and vision in the future.
John Larsen
Click to learn more!
John Larsen
John, a proud 5th generation farmer, lives ten miles south of Beresford, SD, on the original homestead site with his wife, Laura, and their two daughters, Jane and Rebecca. John raises soybeans, corn, and alfalfa. He also runs a 65-head cow/calf operation. His wife Laura is a biology instructor at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. John is serving on the board as the first member from South Dakota and provides quality insight as FCS expands our territory.
Chris Wolters
Click to learn more!
Chris Wolters
Chris and his wife Katie farm north of Sanborn, where they raise corn, soybeans, and hogs while raising their two children. Since taking over the family operation in 2010, Chris has been dedicated to building on its legacy. He’s excited about the opportunity to help guide FCS forward in a fast-changing agricultural industry.
Dan Gradert
Click to learn more!
Dan Gradert
Dan and his wife, Miranda, live on their family farm north of Ireton, where they raise corn, soybeans, and cattle. They have four children. Dan would be honored to serve on the FCS board and is eager to help the cooperative continue supporting local producers.
Austin Behrens
Click to learn more!
Austin Behrens
My wife, Holly, and I live on our family farm west of George, Iowa, along with our son and daughter. We are the fifth generation to operate the family’s row crop operation. Both Holly and I work full-time off the farm—she as an attorney and I in finance. I enjoy testing new products and methods to improve crop production and look forward to the opportunity to serve on the Board.