Hard Working Farmers
Every member of our Board of Directors is a producing farmer who has first-hand knowledge of the joys and challenges this lifestyle brings. They are hardworking members of the community, dedicated to providing guidance and leadership to CHS Northwest. Board members are elected by co-op producer members and serve a 3-year term.
Rod Tjoelker, President
Rod and wife Sharon, are a third generation dairy farmers. They have operated RTJ Farm for the last 25 years, 10 years in partnership with Rod’s parents, Ray and Gert Tjoelker. RTJ is a mid-sized dairy that farms enough acres to feed the herd. Rod and Sharon’s four daughters, three son-in-laws and extended family help with fieldwork, harvest and day-to-day operations.
Bud VanDyk, Vice President
Bud and his wife, Susan, farm on the VanDyk Road just south of Lynden, WA where they milk a large herd of dairy cows. Bud has served on the Board of Directors for CHS Northwest for several years.
Jerry Juergens, Secretary
Jerry and his wife, Gertie, live on the Mission Road near Everson, WA. They operated a family partnership, Twin View Dairy until 2015 and now operate a raspberry farm. Jerry is currently secretary on our Board of Directors.
Tom Thornton, Director
Cloud Mountain Farm Center was started in 1978. This 20-acre farm in Everson, WA has evolved over the years, starting as an apple orchard and garlic farm, and expanding into vegetable crops and nursery production. Cloud Mountain continues to operate as a working farm, as well as a living laboratory.
Frank DeVries, Director
Berry Acres Agricultural began in 1980 when Frank and wife Marylinn DeVries planted 45 acres of red raspberries. In 1984, Frank’s brother joined him and the company has grown and expanded. Their fruit is now packed under the Whatcom Fruit label. Whatcom Fruit is a family owned business and employs several generations of local families and friends. Whatcom Fruit is located on Loomis Trail Road in Lynden.
Randy Honcoop, Director
Randy and his wife, Leslie, live on the Northwood Road north of Lynden, WA where they own Randy Honcoop Berry Farm. Randy farms 60 acres of red raspberries. And although the berries produced in Whatcom County are far too many for the local economy, Randy knows that he is growing berries to feed the country and the world. Randy wants future generations to be able to farm in Whatcom County.
Bill Swanson, Director
Bill Swanson was born and raised south of Mount Vernon. He feels blessed to be living on land that his great-grandfather cleared and settled in the early 1880s. Bill and wife Rebecca (a Ferndale native) have six children. Bill spent 20 years as an agronomist in Eastern Oregon and Western Washington. During that time, he came to know most of the farmers in Skagit, Island and Snohomish counties. In 2012, Bill teamed up with a former customer and launched Skagit Valley Farm growing broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, sweet corn, silage corn and alfalfa.