At Minnwest Bank, agriculture isn’t just a piece of the portfolio; for some, it’s a way of life. Across our communities, several of our ag bankers aren’t just partners to producers, they’re farmers themselves. Their days often begin before sunrise and continue late into the evening, with a lot of hard work in between.
This dual perspective gives them something invaluable in their field – a firsthand understanding of the challenges and pressures that farmers face. They know what unpredictable weather feels like, what input costs mean for a year’s planning, and how a single equipment breakdown can throw everything off schedule. But they also understand what it takes to keep a farm moving forward financially, and how the right banking partner can support that work. That’s why we’re highlighting five of our employees who embody that unique blend of experience in the work they do daily.
Allen Blankers
Allen Blankers is a Market President at Minnwest Bank, and when he’s not leading his branch or helping producers make financial decisions, he’s farming corn and soybeans near Holland, MN.
Allen’s operation spans 550 acres, and he shares equipment with his dad, who farms an additional 300 acres. Together, they manage Silver Hills Farm, located just two miles from Holland in Pipestone County, a farm that’s been in the family for generations.
With 15 years of farming experience, Allen brings a firsthand understanding to his work with ag customers.
It’s rewarding to see hard work pay off, whether that’s helping customers make smart decisions or watching the crops grow,” Blankers says. “It’s helped me build stronger relationships and become a trusted advisor. Farming helps me relate to my ag customers because each day I’m making many of the same decisions they are.”
Ben Hendrickson
Ben Hendrickson is a Business Banker at Minnwest Bank, and when he’s not helping producers make financial decisions, he’s out working the land himself.
Ben farms near Sacred Heart, MN, where he grows corn and soybeans. He’s been renting farmland from family for the past four years and has helped his dad on the farm since childhood. Together, they share equipment and responsibilities, with Ben gradually investing in his own machinery as they transition the operation. He manages the land he rents while his dad oversees his own acres, and Ben schedules time away from the bank for planting and harvesting.
That hands-on experience gives Ben a deeper understanding of the challenges and decisions his ag customers face.
“Knowing what each piece of machinery does and how different crops are managed helps me relate to customers,” Hendrickson says. “It’s rewarding to learn from other farmers’ successes and apply that to my own operation, and it helps me advise customers with confidence.”
Cameron Jurgenson
Cameron Jurgenson is an Ag Banker at Minnwest Bank, and when he’s not working with his customers, he’s out managing his own farm, located in Western Minnesota, between Dawson and Montevideo.
Cameron is a fourth-generation farmer, raising corn, soybeans, and finishing hogs on the land his great grandfather started years ago. As the owner and operator, he handles everything from early morning chores to planting and harvesting, carrying on a deeply rooted legacy.
“Farming has always been more than a career to me; it's a way of life and a connection to the generations before me who worked the same land,” Jurgenson says.
His experience on the farm gives him a unique perspective when working with producers.
“I know firsthand the challenges farmers face, from unpredictable weather to fluctuating markets. I take pride in being able to combine my farming background with my financial expertise to help other producers reach their goals,” Jurgenson says. “Balancing both roles allows me to stay connected to the land while supporting in a broader agricultural community that I'm proud to be part of.”
And now, he’s seeing the passion spark in the next generation.
“One of the most rewarding parts has been seeing my kids start to take interest in the farm, learning and asking questions about the work I do each day,” Jurgenson says.
Matt Overgaard
Matt Overgaard is a VP Business Banker at Minnwest Bank, and when he’s not working with producers to navigate financial decisions, he’s out in the fields himself.
Matt grew up on his family’s farm near Kanaranzi, MN, where they rotate corn and soybeans. From a young age, he was running equipment during planting and harvest, and even while attending Southwest Minnesota State University, he made time to come home and help. Today, Matt remains deeply involved in the farm’s operations alongside his dad, brother, and uncle, contributing to everything from production to management, marketing, and financial planning.
That firsthand experience gives Matt a unique perspective when working with ag customers.
“Being actively involved in farming helps me understand what producers are facing day to day. I really enjoy helping and working with producers while being able to help the family farm when it is needed as well,” Overgaard says. “I want our customers to be successful, along with being successful personally – and it is very rewarding to see both happen.”
Kaleb Storm
Kaleb Storm is a VP of Ag and Commercial Banking at Minnwest Bank, and when he’s not leading his team or helping producers plan for the future, he’s working the land with his wife near St. Charles, MN.
Kaleb grew up on a dairy farm in Westby, WI, where twice-daily milkings shaped his work ethic from a young age. “As an only child, I grew up learning all aspects of farming, and made school and sports fit around twice daily milkings,” he says.
His parents sold the cows in the spring before he graduated high school, and though he didn’t plan to return to dairy, the lessons stuck. “Growing up on a farm taught me how to work hard despite being tired or sick, adverse weather, or a lack of ambition,” Storm says.
After earning a finance degree from UW–Eau Claire, Kaleb began his career as an ag credit analyst at a local bank. A few years later, he returned to the St. Charles area and began building his own operation. In 2022, he and his wife purchased a 60-acre farm from his uncle. Since then, they’ve added a second property from her grandparents and will begin renting a third in 2026. Today, they crop farm 145 acres, with plans to expand in the future.
Kaleb’s agricultural background spans more than just his own farm. “I have worked on farms in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota, even taking a job as a vineyard manager after the cows were sold,” he says. That breadth of experience gives him a unique perspective in his banking role. “I believe I am able to relate to our customers and provide a valuable perspective due to my history and experience in agriculture.”
Whether in the office or in the field, he brings the same mindset: “It’s all about planning and prioritizing the work that needs done, and working until it is,” Storm says, “There are less and less people that understanding farming isn’t like other businesses, and I am proud to work for a bank that does.”
For Kaleb, the most rewarding part of his work is simple: “It’s the pride in doing a good job and seeing what I’ve accomplished at the end of the season. I enjoy working with my hands and being outside, it’s what I grew up doing,” he says. “And as an Ag Banker, I can help those who are passionate in farming, to ensure that future generations have the same experiences I did growing up.”
Expertise you can trust
For producers, the right banking relationship is as valuable as the right piece of equipment. It provides financial stability, local expertise, and a trusted partner who understands the business of agriculture. Relationship banking isn’t just about today’s needs, it’s about thinking in the long-term and ensuring your operation has the support it needs for the seasons and years ahead.
At Minnwest Bank, our agri-business bankers have gained the trust of growers across the Midwest. Each of our bankers knows what’s at stake and have the resources to help you find solutions. Get expertise you can trust to help your farm thrive. Make an appointment with a Minnwest ag banker today!
