Member Spotlight

DREW TEN BENSEL

Drew tenBensel along with his wife Kylea, and children Hazel, Rhett, and Theodore operate tenBensel Farms with Drew’s Dad, Toby, and brother, Dane. tenBensel farms started around the Arapahoe area when Drew’s Great-Great Grandfather homesteaded between Arapahoe and Edison, making Drew a fifth-generation farmer. The family was awarded the Century Farmer Award in 2018.

The legacy of farming is what intrigued Drew to continue the family legacy. Drew attended Southeast Community CollegeMilford to become a farm diesel tech and then joined the family operation in 2010. “Farming is what I enjoyed doing growing up, I didn’t even want to go to college, I just wanted to farm, but I am glad I did end up going to college,” said Drew. Drew’s college experience allowed him to gain valuable life skills which has greatly benefited tenBensel Farms.

Ag Valley has been proven to benefit tenBensel farms, with the Arapahoe and Edison locations near them. “It’s just convenient to use Ag Valley. The employees make sure you are treated right and are willing to go the extra mile to get you up and running to have a profitable operation,” Drew said. No matter the service, whether it’s agronomy services, grain handling, or energy, he says, “We know tenBensel farms will be taken care of and the management services have proven to be beneficial to our operation.”

In the fall of 2013, Steve Henry, a former Ag Valley Coop Board Member approached Drew about his upcoming vacancy and asked Drew if he might be interested in being on the board. Drew’s uncle had also previously been a board member and encouraged him to apply. They told me, “It would be a good opportunity to learn about how the cooperative system works, I know from being on the board I have become a better farmer and businessperson,” said tenBensel. Drew also stated that being on the board allows for “the 14 other farmers to come together and create one plan to best benefit the co-op and the management team.”

Drew greatly encourages anyone to use a cooperative. Especially when it comes to benefits such as retirement and patronage. “I am proud to be an owner of Ag Valley. When I see a pickup driving down the road, I can say I own part of that pickup. I care that Ag Valley succeeds, because it makes a difference not only in our local communities, but the young farmers like me.”

I care that Ag Valley succeeds, because it makes a difference not only in our local communities, but the young farmers like me.

– Drew tenBensel

AG VALLEY CO-OP 2022 ANNUAL REPORT | 15