Meet the AFS Team

Owners

Harlan & Amy Asmus

C.C.A’s and Owners

Harlan is a second-generation Manager of the family business and joined AFS in 1987 after graduating from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Business Management degree. Amy holds a bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design from Iowa State University and has been Certified Crop Advisor since 2004. Together they hold various rolls throughout the company. Since coming back to the family business after graduating college, Harlan has held various job titles including Warehouse Assistant, Seed Sales, Crop Consultant, CCA Agronomist, Purchasing Agent, and Chemical Programs Administration. Harlan now is the company President but continues to work with clients and manages product procurement and pricing for the chemistry department. He encourages integrity-based relationship selling amongst the AFS staff and spends considerable time nurturing relationships with manufacturing suppliers and AFS clients.

Since getting her CCA, Amy has participated in state CCA board roles on marketing committee, credential review committee, chairperson in 2010, and currently as a CCA representative to the Agribusiness Association of Iowa board. She is a member of the Tri-Societies (ASA CSSA SSSA), serving on the Science Policy Committee and is involved with Congressional Visits and Public comment periods. Amy is also an industry consultant for DeMatteo Monnes, where she has been sought out to share her opinion on trends involving agricultural seeds and chemicals. While in the office, she works with customers on specialty crops, manages HR duties and external relations with partners in the industry.

Executive Staff

Garrett Asmus

Business Analyst

Garrett is proud to be the third generation at Asmus Farm Supply. He officially joined the AFS team in December of 2016 after graduating from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Studies. Garrett grew up on the family farm near Rake, where he spent his time helping where needed at AFS and on the farm. Besides working at AFS, Garrett also farms with his dad and brother, and is a volunteer firefighter and first responder. He is married to Megan and in his spare time he enjoys working on projects around the farm and at home.

Megan Asmus

Executive Assistant

Megan joined the AFS team in April of 2020 and is married to Garrett. She has been immersed in agriculture her entire life – growing up on her family’s farm in southeastern North Dakota, graduating from North Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, and previously having a career as a multiple peril crop insurance underwriter. She is honored to be involved in the family business. In her spare time she enjoys helping Garrett with various projects, gardening, baking, and reading

Pat Kahler

Executive Assistant

Pat joined the Asmus team in the Summer of 2012 with a broad knowledge of systems administration and support for agribusiness environments. His duties for the Asmus team cover all administrative needs for the leadership team as well as coordination of communications between the Asmus’ and their wide-reaching sales force and client base.

Michele Wigern

Communication & Marketing Director

Michele is a 2004 graduate of South Dakota State University. Before joining AFS, Michele had several years of experience in various agricultural fields since moving back to her husband’s childhood farm in 2009. Along with her husband, Nick, they are raising their two boys in Kiester, MN. She enjoys spending her free time being outdoors, golfing, sewing and spending countless hours cheering on their very active sons at various sporting events. Michele will primarily manage communication and marketing needs for all AFS locations.

Accounting & Bookkeeing Staff

Darcy Swearingen

Accounting and Bookkeeping in Rake, IA

Darcy joined the Asmus team summer of 2016. Currently, she lives in Thompson, IA with her husband Jay. Together they have five children and two granddaughters. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Darcy has several years of experience working in the agriculture field in various finance roles. Living in rural North Iowa she appreciates the opportunity to be part of the AFS team.

Rhonda Damm

Bookkeeper in Okabena, MN

Rhonda started with AFS in 2019 and has worked in bookkeeping for over 40 years. Being local to the Okabena area, she enjoys seeing familiar faces in the office. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, motorcycle rides, and spoiling her granddaughters.

Department Managers

Bil Schrader

C.C.A, Seed Department Manager

Bil has been with AFS since 1999 and holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Agronomy from the University of Wisconsin/River Falls. Bil was raised on a family farm near Easton, MN which he lives on and continues to manage today. Before working at AFS, Bil had several years of experience in seed, chemical, and fertilizer sales. In addition to selling crop protection products, Bil oversees AFS Seed which includes sales of Agrigold, Brevant, Midwest, Millborn and Stine seed.

Jake Larson

C.C.A, Seed Treatment Department Manager

Jake grew up on his family farm near Swea City and continues to help with the operation today. Jake earned a degree in Agronomy from Iowa State University. Together with his wife Jordan, they have three girls. When not helping on the farm you can find Jake enjoying his time outdoors with his family.

Cody Wirtjes

C.C.A., 4R NMS, Plant Nutrition Department Manager

Cody joined AFS in February of 2012 and holds an Associate’s degree in Applied Science of Agricultural Sales & Service and Agricultural Operations Management. Cody grew up around a fertilizer and chemical business in Thompson, IA. Cody is involved with nutrition products and additives as well as handling of these products. Cody strives to be an excellent partner for all AFS customer’s plant nutrition needs. He and his wife, Alicia, reside in Buffalo Center, IA and have two children, Rowan & Ross.

Location Managers

Brent Baddeley

C.C.A, Sales Agronomist and Location Manager in Estherville, IA

Brent has been the location Manager at our Estherville location since 2004. He has been in Agronomy Sales since moving to the Estherville area in 1977. He also is responsible for the sales of Organic Fertilizer out of Daybreak Foods. Brent and his wife Cheryl reside in Gruver, Iowa and together they have three children, and six grandchildren. Brent is a certified firefighter and has been a member of the local fire Department for over 25 years. Brent, and Cheryl spend most there time following their grandkids to sporting events or dance events. When time allows in summer they pull their camper over to the lakes for some fun, and relaxation.

Jason Hackbart

C.C.A, Sales Agronomist and Location Manager in Manly, IA

Jason joined the AFS team as a sales agronomist in August of 2010 for the Manly location. Jason earned an AA degree in Ag Operations & Management from North Iowa Area Community College after graduating High School in 1994. He has had a passion for agriculture all his life, and has always been involved in the field. Along with his duties at AFS, Jason is also an Associate Seller of Pioneer Brand Seed, with Jeff Leerar in Manly. Jason lives on a century farm south of Grafton with his wife Jody, and two children. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family and boating in the summer months.

Kevin Adolph

C.C.A, Sales Agronomist & Location Manager in Fulda, MN

Kevin joined the AFS sales team in the fall of 2010. He grew up on a family farm between Fulda, and Worthington, MN and currently lives in a small town in Rushmore, MN. While working for Okabena, Kevin updated his Agronomy degree with more Ag education. Kevin came to AFS with over 30 years of experience in chemical, seed, and fertilizer sales. Quality, and service are one of Kevin’s high priorities at this location.

He enjoys spending time with his two children, and grand kids. When Kevin is not working for AFS you can find him in a farm shop just on the outside of Rushmore. He enjoys working on farm equipment getting it ready for the next farming season. He enjoys livestock, and fishing.

Open Position

C.C.A, Sales Agronomist and Location Manager in Okabena, MN

Agronomy Staff

Jason Christensen

C.C.A, Sales Agronomist in Rake, IA

Jason started with AFS in January of 2010. Jason grew up on a family farm near Ringsted, IA and continues to play an active role in the operation today. Prior to working at AFS, Jason worked for an independent retailer in Aberdeen, SD selling seed and chemical. He is a 2007 graduate of South Dakota State University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy. When not working on the farm or at AFS, he enjoys hunting and fishing.

Nate Eitzmann

C.C.A, Sales Agronomist in Rake, IA

Nate joined Asmus Farm Supply in the Fall of 2012 from his agronomy position in eastern Nebraska. He rounds out our chemical sales and support division with Harlan and his team. Nate also manages our First to the Field program connecting agricultural manufacturers and retailers with progressive growers to effectively evaluate new products and concepts. In addition he assists customers in our MZB Technology partnership. If you have questions about First to the Field or MZB, don’t hesitate to give Nate a call.

Josiah Beenken

Plant Nutrition Sales Agronomist in Rake, IA

Josiah recently graduated from Iowa State with a degree in Agricultural Studies Following graduation, Josiah returned back to his hometown of Buffalo Center. Growing up on a farm North of Buffalo Center drove his love of agriculture. Josiah enjoys watching sports, hunting, and helping on the farm.

Mike Perkins

C.C.A, Plant Nutrition Sales Agronomist and 4R+ Specialist in Rake, IA

Mike started his career in 1993 as a custom applicator, later moving into sales. Mike became a CCA in 2000 and has been working in agricultural sales since then. Mike has over 22 years of experience in agriculture, working in all aspects of the farm – plant nutrition, crop protection, seed and precision agriculture. Mike is married and has three children. During his free time, you’ll find him on the lake fishing or out in the woods hunting.

Wes Baddeley

Warehouse Manager and Sales in Estherville, IA

Wes attended Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg Iowa and has been the warehouse manager at AFS in Estherville since April of 2010. Recently he started moving into agronomy sales. He is also co-owner of 5B Enterprises with his father, Brent, where they sell and apply organic fertilizer. He is also the Assistant Fire Chief for the local volunteer fire department. In his spare time he enjoys playing with his kids, hunting, riding his Harley, and snowmobiling when the weather allows him to ride.

Trevor Enerson

C.C.A Seed Sales Agronomist in Estherville, IA

Trevor started with AFS as the Seed Sales Agronomist in Estherville. He has a Bachelor degree in Agricultural Business as well as Economics. Prior to working at AFS he was a crop consultant in southwest Iowa for a little over a year. Trevor was raised on a family farm near Estherville and continues to help out as time allows. He enjoys the customer interaction that comes with this career, and looks forward to helping growers maximize profits through making sound seed decisions. In his free time Trevor enjoys golfing, snowmobiling, and riding motorcycles.

Jeff Leerar

C.C.A., Sales Agronomist in Manly, IA

Jeff holds a bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural studies from Iowa State University and is a Certified Crop Advisor. He grew up near the town of Crystal Lake, IA on a family farm, and now operates his own farming operation near Hanlontown, IA. Jeff has been affiliated with AFS for 12 years and enjoys working with, and helping customers improve their farming operations.

Jeff enjoys having his own farming operation to try out different chemical, and fertilizer applications before he recommends them to customers. The Ag industry is very dynamic, and the changes that are happening, are very exciting. He feels fortunate to work with a company like AFS, to bring the knowledge, and applications of these to the customers of the Manly area. Jeff’s married to his wife Jennifer. Together they have two step children Jadyn and Jace, along with Jessa and Josh.

Eric Winters

C.C.A, Sales Agronomist in Fulda & Okabena, MN

Eric began his duties with AFS in December of 2013 at our Fulda location. Eric is originally from Worthington Minnesota, and obtained his Agronomy degree from South Dakota State University in 2006. After college, his career started at a coop in southwest Minnesota as a sales agronomist before coming to AFS. Eric is married to his wife Sarah and together they have three children; Aubrey, Kendrick and Oliver. Eric assists his dad, and uncles on their family farm operation near Windom, where they also raise some hay. Sarah and Eric live on a farm just outside of Heron Lake, Minnesota and enjoy gardening in the summer, and spending time with family.

Matthew Funk

Sales Agronomist in Okabena, MN

Matt started with AFS in 2022 and is a 2018 graduate of SDSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy and a minor in Animal Science. Matt and his wife Stephanie have a son, Bo, and a daughter, Clara. Matt and his family live in Fulda, MN, and raise cattle and hogs on their family farm.

AFS Pioneer Department

Devin Helming

AFS Pioneer Sales Representative

Cole Anderson

AFS Pioneer Seed Associate

Warehouse Staff

Dana Alspaugh

Warehouse Lead in Rake, IA

Arnie Roth

Trucking/Warehouse

Arnie has been with AFS since the Fall of 2002. He is our truck driver responsible for making early season chemical deliveries as well as warehouse duties when he’s not on the road. Arnie also knows a great deal about servicing the tanks and pumps that we provide our customers. His enthusiasm makes him an asset here at AFS.

Chris Riley

Warehouse in Rake, IA

Brandon Hermanson

Plant Nutrition Operations

Kelsey McNab

Warehouse Manager in Fulda, MN

Kelsey McNab joined the AFS staff as warehouse manager for the Fulda location a couple years ago. Kelsey lives in Fulda with his wife Paulette and their 5 children. He enjoys ice fishing, snowmobiling, and motorcycle riding in his free time. Kelsey has been involved with agriculture for many years in various aspects of the industry and enjoys working with the customers of AFS.

Jody Dalen

Warehouse in Estherville, MN

Travis Fedderson

Warehouse in Estherville, IA

Travis joined the AFS team in the spring of 2018 and currently resides outside of Armstrong, IA with his fiancé Hannah and have a baby boy on the way. He is a 3rd generation farmer and when time allows, still helps with the family farm. In his spare time he enjoys camping, boating and spending time with friends and family.

Eddie Gonzalez

Warehouse in Okabena, MN

Alex Hackbart

Warehouse in Manly, IA

Alex recently joined the AFS Manly team in the spring of 2019.

Maintenance Staff

Troy Armstrong

Maintenance and Janitorial Duties

Troy started at AFS in February 2012. He is responsible for maintenance and janitorial duties around the rake facility. Troy has been active in his community through school functions and has also been involved with the Buffalo Center Ambulance since 1988. He is married to his wife Sue and they have a son named Spencer. You’ll see troy throughout his community and enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.

Jeb Kothenbeutel

Vehicle Maintenance and Mechanics

Jeb graduated from DMACC, where he studied Diesel Technologies. He grew up in Buffalo Center and enjoys helping on the farm in the spring and fall and helping manage the company vehicles. Jeb is married to his wife Savana and together they have their daughter Adalyn.