Schuster recognized by Chamber

He sprays, spreads and hauls, but that's not all. John Schuster, a custom applicator at CenDak Cooperative in New Rockford, was named the Chamber's Employee of the Month for August.

Schuster has been a loyal employee of CenDak for 10 years. This time of year he's spraying pesticides and herbicides, as well as spreading rye seed as a cover crop. Last year the cooperative fertilized and sprayed more than 20,000 acres for member farmers.

Although this spring was slow for fertilizer due to economic, market and weather conditions, Schuster said they are spreading more rye as a cover crop on unseeded ground, which he hopes will get their 2020 acreage closer to last year's numbers.

Schuster was nominated by Sheyenne area farmer Nyle Myhre. "I feel this is way overdue, because John is a huge asset to CenDak. He is quick to respond to his customers, dependable and his job skills are excellent," Myhre said. "I'm always more than satisfied."

"I treat all customers the same, no matter how small or big they are," Schuster replied, adding that all members are important and deserving of prompt, quality service.

Schuster's tasks not only change with the seasons, but also day-to-day. He is also licensed for propane and bulk fuel hauling and delivery. During the fall and winter months, he is often on the road to a member's farm to deliver propane or fuel as needed.

In the spring, the work is "non-stop for one-and-a-half to two months," Schuster says. He can log anywhere from 140 to 180 hours in a two-week period, such as his cooperative members do, to ensure that the crop is planted on time and fertilized to thrive.

He also helps in the shop, performing maintenance on members' vehicles, and he might even "fix a broken toilet" when asked to do so.

"We help out anywhere we can around here," Schuster says. "You never know what you're going to be doing."

"He's willing to do whatever needs to be done," Energy Manager Ron Keller said.

Prior to coming to CenDak Cooperative, Schuster worked for the Longneckers as a farmhand and then served as the location manager of the Barlow Elevator for 4 1/2 years.

The hard-working family man also has some enterprises of his own. The Schuster family owns and operates Schuster RV Park on the northwest edge of New Rockford and also tends to livestock. They currently have 22 head of cattle, three goats, a horse and 25 chickens. Their rather large garden plots also keep them busy and ensure that they'll have adequate produce in the winter months.

Wife Jean and four children – Haley, Ashley, Mason and Mathew -– have made their home in New Rockford for more than 20 years. Haley now lives in Carrington, and Ashley is enrolled at University of North Dakota this fall to pursue a physical therapy degree. She transferred there from Lake Region State College, where she played volleyball last fall.