When Chad Kraft joined RDO fresh out of high school, our Menomonie farm was still in its early years—and so was Chad’s career. He didn’t know much about the operation at first, but he was eager to learn. “I had a lot to figure out,” Chad says. “The machinery, growing potatoes—it was all new. But I enjoyed the opportunity.”
Over the years, Chad built his career from the ground up. He started with mechanical work and farm labor, running potato harvesters and handling just about any mechanical task that needed attention. From there, he moved into irrigation management and field operations, steadily expanding his skills and responsibilities. In 2009, Chad became Farm Manager—a role he has held for the past 17 years.
In that time, he’s seen agriculture change dramatically. Tractors have gone from row markers to GPS-guided systems, and what was once entirely manual is now highly automated. “There were no cell phones when I started,” Chad laughs. “You had to actually pay attention.” While technology has transformed the work, Chad says the fundamentals—especially during potato digging—have stayed largely the same, with efficiency improving through experience year after year.
What Chad didn’t expect when he stepped into a leadership role was just how much of farming is about people. “Managing people has been the biggest learning,” he says. “Team members, neighbors, customers—farming is a people business. Communication really matters.” Many of the Menomonie team have worked together for decades, creating a strong, experienced crew that knows how to get the job done—and have fun doing it.
Chad’s favorite time of year is plant emergence, when the potato plants are just a few inches tall and the promise of the season is visible in the fields. He also enjoys summer, watching the rows fill in and responding to whatever the weather brings. “All it takes is one storm, and it can change your whole season,” he notes.
One of Chad’s proudest accomplishments is the success of the Menomonie farm under his leadership. Year after year, the farm has earned recognition from McCain Foods for strong storage performance and quality by variety—an achievement Chad credits to teamwork and consistency.
Longtime RDO leader Warren Warmbold remembers hiring Chad as a young man and watching him grow alongside the farm. “I’m so proud of Chad for all he has accomplished—he’s a great manager and farmer,” Warren said.
Farming has also become a family legacy for Chad. His son, Logan, rode along with him when he was young and is now following in his footsteps, first working alongside Chad in Menomonie before forging his own path as a Team Lead at RDO’s Becker farm, of which something Chad is especially proud.
After 35 years, Chad Kraft’s career reflects dedication, adaptability, and a deep commitment to RDO and agriculture. We’re grateful for his leadership, proud of his accomplishments, and honored to celebrate this milestone with him.
