Meet the Board: Steve Hoffman

Steve Hoffman has been interested in joining a health care cooperative for at least a decade, when he first met future 40 Square Executive Director Char Vrieze.

Steve and Kerry Hoffman

“Char was with Cooperative Network at the time, and some part of a health care co-op was being discussed, which I was very intrigued by at the time,” Hoffman said. “Our health insurance premiums were escalating very quickly, and it sounded like a great idea to get something going that could control those health care premiums. That’s where I first got into it.”

When 40 Square Cooperative Solutions launched in 2018, Hoffman jumped on board.

“I looked into it right away because, of course, my health care premiums were still escalating,” he said. “I knew I wanted to get on board with 40 Square and hopefully make it something that works for us and is a viable solution for other farmers.”

Hoffman operates his New Ulm family farm – established in 1912 – alongside his son, Joe, and brother, Keith. The Hoffmans have a dairy farm and grow corn, soybean and alfalfa. In 2019, Steve and his wife, Kerry, hosted Rep. Jim Hagedorn for a Farmers for Free Trade event. In December 2020, Hoffman was elected to 40 Square’s Board of Directors during its 2019 Informational Meetings.

“What I hope to see is just the possibility of somehow controlling our health care costs, rather than the big companies telling you year after year what you’ve got to pay,” said Hoffman, who also serves on the Associated Milk Producers board. “I feel anytime you can control your own risks – whether that be in grain or dairy markets or input costs – if you can have some input on that, that can only help you out.”

Hoffman said he’s eager to help 40 Square, which supports nearly 1,000 participants, continue to deepen its membership base.

“I think growing the membership is going to be important for the viability of the co-op,” he said. “That will be a goal of mine, to help continue to make this co-op a financially sound choice for rural Minnesotans.”

Hoffman credited the Minnesota Agriculture & Rural Leadership (MARL) Program with building his volunteer credentials and further instilling a passion for rural values.

“I’m a big believer in rural Minnesota, and MARL really opened my eyes about community dynamics,” he said. “I hope to take those skills, and work to help grow 40 Square and bring in more farmers and agribusinesses.”