Dedicated farmer

Longtime local farmer Curt Eischens recently received the Cooperative Builder Award for his work in establishing and working with several cooperative associations over the years.

"I was surprised by the award, but incredibly honored at the same time," said Eischens, who received an impressive crystal statue and recognition at the Cooperative Network's annual meeting banquet. Curt has been a member of at least 25 past or present co-ops, and served on six or seven different boards, his son Ross figures.

"For him to receive an award called the ‘Co-op Builder’ is so fitting because it was most definitely his passion outside of his family and his farm," Ross concluded. Cooperative Network members include farm supply, farm marketing, rural electric, consumer, housing, and health insurance cooperatives. Eischens has now retired from farming and Ross now farms the land of nearly 600 acres of corn and soybeans, with a bit of wheat in rotation. The farmsite is located 10 1/2 miles north of Minneota and three miles east of St. Leo.

Curt's wife, Wendy, passed away in 2017. "My dad still helps with field work as his health allows, and is a great resource for questions and problems," said Ross. "Historically, we have raised a lot of cattle and some feeder pigs, but no livestock has been on the farm since the early 2000s, except some laying hens."

Curt's great-grandfather and grandfather were among the early homesteaders in Burton Township.

"Our farm came in the family in the early 40s when (Curt's) grandfather, J.M. Eischens, bought it and sold it in turn to (Curt's) folks, Clarence and Leona, after Clarence was discharged from the Army after World War II," said Ross. Curt grew up on his parents' farm along with his five sisters, Ross noted. When Curt and Wendy were married in 1972, they purchased the farm across the road from his parents. It was there that they raised their family of four children; Stefanie, Laura, Ross and Wade.

The Cooperative Builder Award was established in 2009 and is the highest tribute bestowed on individual cooperators or friends of cooperatives by Cooperative Network. Through this award, Cooperative Network recognizes select individuals for their contributions, loyalty, and service to the cooperative movement. Ever since he first started farming, Curt felt that cooperatives held the key to improving the status of agricultural producers, rural residents, and many others by providing goods, services, and market opportunities.

By working collectively in cooperatives, he has always felt farmers can achieve more than they can alone.

Curt served nine years on the board of directors at the Farmers Co-op Association in Canby; the last eight as chairman. He was also the president of the Yellow Medicine County Farmers Union, while at the same time, served as chairman of the Executive Committee at the Minnesota Farmers Union. Beginning in 1990, Curt served on the board of directors at Cenex for 27 years. It was during that time that Cenex merged with Harvest States to become CHS, the largest farmer-owned cooperative in the United States.

During his time at Cenex/CHS, Curt was chosen to be the representative to Minnesota Association of Co-ops (MAC) and served as chairman of the board.

"MAC and WFC (Wisconsin Federation of Co-ops) were separate co-op councils in neighboring states who had similar goals for their members," Ross explained.

"The decision was made to pool their resources and work together to accomplish similar goals." In becoming Cooperative Network, one staff could serve co-ops in both states with legislative lobbying for co-op issues. Curt also helped create 40 Square Cooperative Solutions, a groundbreaking insurance cooperative serving agriculture and rural residents. And he was also the founder of the Ralph Morris Foundation, which provides financial support for students who study cooperatives and related issues at the Masters level or higher.

Curt's term on the Ralph Morris Foundation ended in 2019. "I'm pretty proud of him," Ross said. "I didn't really appreciate all his work as it was happening when I was younger because it was like 'Dad's going to another meeting again.’”

"But he really believed in co-ops, and that they were some of the best ways farmers and others could serve common economic goals."