Meet the Board: Kevin Lauwagie

For Winthrop farmer Kevin Lauwagie, timing is everything.

Around 2017, Lauwagie’s small group health policy was cancelled. At the same time, the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill allowing health care cooperatives to offer health plans to farmers, creating the need for 40 Square Cooperative Solutions.

“The timing was great for us to activate 40 Square,” Lauwagie said in an interview from Florida, where he was staying for most of March before returning to the family farm to prepare for the 2021 growing season. “We just decided that’s what we had to do.”

Lauwagie didn’t just become a member when 40 Square was conceived; he’s also an original board member. Until recently, Lauwagie was the longtime chair of United Farmers Cooperative and also previously served on the board of RS Fiber.

“I serve for a number of reasons,” he said. “First, you have to take an interest. If you don’t take an interest, you don’t have much credibility as a board member. And I see a need. I also just enjoying serving. If I didn’t enjoy doing this, well, I wouldn’t be doing it.”

Lauwagie farms with his wife, Sue, and raises corn, soybeans and hogs on land that’s been in the family since 1960. At 64, Lauwagie is transitioning the operation to his daughter, Emilee, and son-in-law. Lauwagie says the next-level care he receives from his 40 Square Health Plan, including the new telemedicine services offered through Teladoc, is ideal for farm families like his.

“We serve the agriculture industry,” he said. “I’ve really been satisfied with the extra mile 40 Square goes to provide better coverage. And we are a cooperative, and that’s very important. As a member of 40 Square, I have an ownership, too.”

Lauwagie is hopeful for an early spring upon his return from the Sunshine State, and said 40 Square is well-positioned for the future.

“As a farmer, we are eternal optimists,” he said. “I think we’re certainly a good organization that offers another look at health care, and we’re offering competitive coverage to Minnesota farm families and agriculture businesses.”

He’s also eager to visit with 40 Square staff and his fellow directors – when the time is right.

“Absolutely, that’s been tough. It’s been a long time,” he said. “Just like any other organization, from time-to-time, everyone needs to meet in-person and I can’t wait for that day. You can’t replace the importance of meeting in-person.”