As a value-added consultive business unit of CHS, Prairie Lakes Coop is guided by a 8-member board of directors. Our member-owners elect the eight directors of the Prairie Lakes Coop board.

District 1

Curt Stark
Ron Prahl

District 2

Randy Ihnen
Gerald Maus

District 3

Paul Anderson
Brian Jergenson 

District 4

James Gruber
Tim Harvey

Anderson, Paul

Paul Anderson,, director (elected 2000, district 1, term 2012) Anderson was selected as chairman in 2000 and has served on the co-op board for more than 15 years, with Farmers Union Oil Company and now with Prairie Lakes Coop.  Anderson is an agricultural producer who operates a corn and soybean farm southeast of Starbuck in Pope County.  He is currently serving as a legislator for District 13A. Anderson holds a degree from the University of Minnesota.

Gruber, James

James Gruber, director (elected 2005, district 4, term 2012): Gruber, along with his wife Karen, and son Paul farm northwest of Elrosa.  He is active in his community organizations including North Fork Mutual Insurance, and Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Finance Committee.

Harvey, Tim

Tim Harvey, secretary (elected 2005, district 4, term 2010) Harvey farms near Long Prairie with his wife Joan and their four children. Together they raise corn, wheat and beans. He is a proud graduate of Long Prairie high school and holds a degree from the University of Minnesota.  He is actively serving in government organizations in and near his community, including Long Prairie Economic Development and Todd County Planning and Zoning.

Ihnen, Randy

Randy Ihnen, vice-present (elected 2003, vice chair since 2005, district 2, term 2009): Ihnen was elected to serve on the board when Lowry joined Prairie Lakes Coop in September 2003.  He operates a grain operation near Lowry, where he currently serves on the Reno township board.  He is an elder at Hope Community Church in Starbuck. He holds a degree in Farm Equipment Mechanics from Alexandria Technical College.

Jergenson, Brian

Brian Jergenson, chairman (elected 2001, chairman since 2009, district 1, term 2011): Jergenson currently operates a corn and soybean operation 15 miles south of Glenwood. He is married to Laura and they have two sons, Taylor and Collin. He serves his community through civic organizations, Shepherd of the Hill Lutheran Church and is Rolling Fork Township Clerk. Jergenson is a graduate of Alexandria Technical College.

Maus, Gerald

Gerald Maus, director (elected 2003, district 2, term 2010): He operates a cash grain operation and custom combines from Kansas to Minnesota. He is involved in the Pope County Corn and Soybean Associations and serves his community through Lowry Lions and Lowry Fireman’s.  Maus attended the University of Minnesota with an emphasis on agronomy, soils and agricultural economics.

Prahl, Ron

Ron Prahl, director (elected 2004, district 3, term 2012) Prahl currently serves on the Grant County Wind Board.  Prahl, along with his wife, Jackie, and children, Taylor and Parker, operate a grain operation west of Hoffman. Prahl holds a degree in Ag-Business from Willmar Technical College.

Stark, Curt

Curt Stark, director (elected 2008, district 3, term 2011) In 1993, Stark started farming full time with his wife , Heidi, daughter Paige and son Payton. He enjoys coaching basketball and being involved in numerous Messiah church committees.  Stark holds an Ag Econ Degree from North Dakota State University.