Shawn Eastman of Victoria was recently elected to the Mid-County Coop board of directors.

Eastman, a dedicated Mid-County customer, brings years of management experience to the Mid-County Coop board. He has lived on the Marsh Lake Hunting Club property since 1981, and has been general manager there since 2001.

“I feel that I’m always fair with people, and I listen to people’s needs,” Eastman said. “My job as a board member will be to help make sure everything’s running smoothly.”

In addition to his three-year term with Mid-County, Eastman is also actively involved in the community. He participates in the Lion’s Club, teaches firearm safety training, and hosts a free conservation day each year at the hunting club.

Eastman grew up in Fridley and graduated from Coon Rapids High School. He attended the University of Minnesota, Crookston, earning a degree in natural resources. Eastman started working at the hunting club as a seasonal guide during college. In 1986, he became the assistant manager and dog trainer.

Eastman’s wife, Wendy, grew up on the Marsh Lake Hunting Club property. “That’s how we met,” Eastman said. “I ended up marrying the boss’s daughter.” Eastman and Wendy have two sons. Riley, 22, recently graduated from college, and Jared, 20, is attending the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

In his spare time, Eastman enjoys participating in an archery league, fishing, and hunting. “Duck hunting is probably my favorite,” Eastman said, adding that he also enjoys deer, turkey, and pheasant hunting.

Including Eastman, there are currently seven people serving on the Mid-County Coop board of directors. Mid-County Coop was founded in 1935 as a petroleum product supplier for Carver County. Throughout the years, Mid-County’s services have expanded to include a convenience store, a complete agronomy division, a widely expanded energy division, propane delivery service, and an auto, truck, and tire center.

COLOGNE, Minn. — Mid-County Agronomy is proud to welcome Jim Aritt as its new agronomy division manager. As, a former dairy fanner, Aritt has a passion for agriculture and a desire to help others.

“I like the teamwork and working with the staff,” said Aritt, whose first day was Dec. 1. “1 also like the direct contact with farmers.”

Aritt grew up in Winsted, graduating from Holy Trinity High School in 1975. He dairy fanned in southern Wright County for 20 years before switching to the agronomy services industry. For the past eight years, Aritt has been working in agronomy management positions at co-ops in Minnesota. Most recently, he was the plant manager for a co-op in Lake City.

Aritt has a wide range of professional training, such as business management courses through Cenex Harvest States, and agronomy courses through the University of Minnesota. For Aritt, the most interesting aspect of his training has been learning about new chemicals and technology.

At Mid-County, Aritt hopes to build a relationship with current customers and pick up new clients.

Aritt is currently renting a house, and plans to purchase a country home in the Belle Plaine or New Prague area. Aritt’s wife, Mary, has family living in Faribault, so it will be nice to be closer to them, Aritt said. Aritt and Mary have a son, Brandon, who is an electrician, and a daughter, Dominique, who is training to be a medical assistant.

Aritt is an outdoor sportsman whose hobbies include fishing, snowmobiling, and camping with family and friends. Aritt and Mary also have two horses that they enjoy riding in their spare time.