Meet the Board: Cole Trebesch In August 2017, Cole Trebesch’s health care provider options started dwindling. The Minnesota farmer spoke with the CEO of Farmward Cooperative – Trebesch serves on the board – and was directed to a new independent health care cooperative, 40 Square. “I started asking some questions,” Trebesch says. “A month later,…
USDA announces CFAP 2 details President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced up to an additional $14 billion dollars for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. Signup for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) will run through December 11, 2020. “America’s…
Every farmer counts: This week to bring awareness to farm safety The 2018 data for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the agricultural sector is still the most dangerous in America with 574 fatalities, or an equivalent of 23.4 deaths per 100,000 workers. Fall harvest time can be one of the busiest and…
Register to vote Election Day, held on Nov. 3, is mere weeks away. Minnesota offers online voter registration. Voters can register by mail to vote in Minnesota by printing a voter registration form, filling it out and mailing it to your local election office. Minnesotans can also register to vote in person if they prefer,…
Meet the Board: Robby Gieseke Robby Gieseke isn’t just the chair of 40 Square Cooperative Solutions. Since Day 1, he’s been a member and client. 40 Square is set apart from other health plans, Gieseke says, because he and family feel invested in their health plan and can tailor it to best fit their needs.…
40 Square advocacy leads to Executive Order allowing mail-in ballots for cooperatives; annual meeting remains postponed Following advocacy efforts from 40 Square Cooperative Solutions’ leadership, Gov. Walz in late August employed his peacetime emergency powers by issuing Executive Order 20-86 (EO). The order allows all Minnesota cooperatives, including 40 Square, the flexibility during the COVID-19…
MDA offering grain storage safety cost-share program The Grain Storage Facility Safety Cost-Share helps Minnesota farmers buy, ship, and install eligible safety equipment for on-farm grain bins or silos. Amount Available We have approximately $50,000 for this program in Fiscal Year 2021 (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021). Funding comes from the Minnesota Legislature…
‘A benefit for all’: 40 Square announces transition to Aetna in 2021 40 Square Cooperative Solutions is embarking on a new path forward for its members for 2021. The 40 Square board of directors and its Health Plan Trustees have announced enhancements to its members’ health plan for 2021. Effective Jan. 1, 2021, 40 Square…
Staying alert in a stressful world Farming is a dangerous vocation in all four seasons. But every year when harvest rolls around, keeping alert and getting enough rest are especially critical to farmers’ mental and physical health. According to the National Sleep Foundation, chronic sleep debt can cause accidents involving drowsy driving, or operating a…
Not just another webinar: UMASH Expo to launch virtually When COVID-19 shut down county fair and outdoor trade show season across Minnesota, the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) challenged themselves to adapt and curate a unique virtual trade show. Their task? Try to avoid being just another webinar. Oh, and cut the…