Join us in congratulating Kyle Gagner, NDFB Health Plans Agent of the Month for May! 👏 Kyle grew up in Casselton, N.D., surrounded by farm fields and big-hearted people. Though he didn’t grow up on a farm, ag has been part of his story from the beginning. “My dad grew up on a small dairy farm in Minnesota, and we’d help my uncle every time we visited. I also worked for a local farmer in high school — so while I’m a city kid, I’ve got plenty of ag in me!” 🚜 Kyle says he was nudged into the insurance business by a former boss, and was lucky to get connected with Nodak Insurance. “I knew Nodak was based in North Dakota, and that was important to me.” Today, Kyle is a trusted agent with Nodak Insurance in Cavalier, N.D., where he provides peace of mind to clients from every walk of life — rural and urban. “My greatest joy comes from finding solutions for our customers. When a client leaves with a solution they feel good about, I feel GREAT! And when we get to help someone pick up the pieces after a traumatic event, it’s an honor to hold that place in their lives.” Kyle's connection with NDFB runs deep: “I appreciate the great people of NDFB as well as the values that NDFB ascribes to. Being involved helps promote those values and allows me to interact with those great people!” He’s not just an agent, he’s a community builder. Kyle is active in his local chamber, church, economic development efforts, nonprofit work, and even organizes an annual music festival! 🎶 And for fun? “I LOVE to mountain bike! Sounds crazy for an eastern North Dakota fella, but we find the trails and have a blast rippin!” So, what keeps Kyle going? “Whiskey. And my wife,” he laughs, but then adds, “Nah, I’m a competitive person AND I love attention, so I strive to earn achievements and relish the satisfaction that comes from accomplishing goals.” And for those just getting started in the insurance world (or anywhere, for that matter), Kyle’s advice is golden: “Be a learn-it-all, not a know-it-all. Good things take time. Never be afraid to learn. Honesty, every time, no matter what.” Kyle brings heart, humor, and hustle to everything he does—and we’re proud to have him as part of the NDFB family, and to recognize him as our NDFB Health Plans Agent of the Month. 👏 Congrats, Kyle! 🥳 #NDFBHealthPlans #AgentOfTheMonth #NodakInsurance #FarmBureauProud #AgRoots #NDLeadership #MountainBikerAtHeart #FarmBureauFamily (fb)

NDFB's #RancheroftheWeek is Bert Stigen from Towner, N.D. Bert is a board member for the Pierce County Farm Bureau. Bert was raised on his family's ranch just outside of Towner. After graduating from Towner High School, he began growing his cattle herd. He also started repairing tractors, semis, and other equipment from his shop on the ranch. Bert married his wife, Kelly, in 2012, and they have three children. Bert says his favorite hobby is spending time with family and friends and enjoying a cold beverage at the lake! After years in the cattle business, Bert says his favorite thing about agriculture is the lifestyle. "I enjoy getting to be my own boss, raise my family in rural North Dakota, and have the freedom to be outside on the ranch." He says if he had one piece of advice to share with young people interested in getting involved in agriculture, it would be: "I'd tell them to listen to the older generation who has done it before. At 18 to 28 years old, you don't really know as much as you think you do. Be willing to listen to what the older generation of farmers and ranchers have to say." When asked if he could travel somewhere to see a different version of agriculture, Bert said he would be interested in visiting a cattle ranch in Florida. "I think getting to see a different version of how people ranch in the South versus how we ranch in the North would be fun. Here in N.D., it's common for ranchers to put up 3,000 to 4,000 bales a summer. My uncle runs a cattle business in Valentine, Neb. He has roughly the same number of cattle we do but only puts up 200 bales. So getting to experience the differences between here and more southern states would be interesting." When asked what he's enjoyed about being part of the Pierce County Farm Bureau board, Bert said he has really enjoyed getting to know his fellow board members. "No two people or operations are the same. It's been great getting to know and work with my fellow board members." Thank you, Bert, for your time and dedication to the Pierce County Farm Bureau board and NDFB! #WeLoveOurVolunteers (fb)