All incumbents re-elected

(FARMINGTON, MN) April 24, 2026 – Dakota Electric Association® members gathered on April 23 at the cooperative’s headquarters in Farmington for the annual meeting, receiving updates on the cooperative’s financial health, system planning, future growth and other key topics.

During the meeting, members and guests heard reports from the Board of Directors and senior leadership on key issues facing the cooperative, including electric rates, long-term facility needs, projected load growth, and power supply planning.

Board Chair Paul Bakken, Board Treasurer Cyndee Fields, and CEO Ryan Hentges each provided updates on the state of the cooperative and outlined how Dakota Electric is positioning itself to reliably and affordably meet member needs in the years ahead.

“As we navigate a changing energy landscape, Dakota Electric is not only adapting to change, we are helping lead it,” said Bakken. “By focusing on member satisfaction, operational resilience, cost efficiency and innovation, we are building a strong foundation for the future.”

In addition to business updates, the cooperative highlighted upcoming opportunities for member engagement. Dakota Electric’s annual Member Appreciation Event will take place Tuesday, July 21 at the Minnesota Zoo and is free for members and their immediate families.

The meeting concluded with the announcement of the Board of Directors election results. The following candidates were elected to serve on the Board, with newly elected and re‑elected directors noted in bold:

District 1 (three-year term)
John (Jack) DeYoe (incumbent) (3,058 votes of total votes for 48.5%)
Laurie (Rieb) Bolin (1,566 votes of total votes for 24.8%)
Jeff Nelson (1,681 votes of total votes for 26.7%)

District 2 (three-year term)
Bill Middlecamp (incumbent) (3,624 votes of total votes for 57.3%)
Roberta Oveson (2,705 votes of total votes for 42.7%)

District 3 (three-year term)
Margaret D. Schreiner (incumbent) (5,596 votes of total votes for 100%)

District 4 (three-year term)
Paul Bakken (incumbent) (5,626 votes of total votes for 100%)

There were 107,974 eligible voters. The ballots received totaled 5,036 paper ballots, 1,393 electronic ballots, and three onsite ballots, with a total ballot return of 6,432, or 5.96% of eligible voters. Survey & Ballot Systems, an independent third party, distributed and certified the ballots.

Annual Meeting reports are available online for members who were unable to attend. They can be found at https://www.dakotaelectric.com/about-us/annual-meeting-election.

About Dakota Electric Association:
Dakota Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving over 118,000 members in and around Dakota County. Established in 1937, Dakota Electric is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to its members while actively engaging with the community and promoting energy efficiency. For more information, visit www.dakotaelectric.com or follow Dakota Electric on X, Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

It’s a special privilege to witness firsthand what it really takes to keep the lights on for our members. In April, we pause to honor the brave men and women who make that possible every single day—our lineworkers.

When storms impact our communities and outages happen, many people feel the inconvenience, but our lineworkers see a call to action. Our crews are always prepared when it matters most, whether it’s leaving family dinners, working through the night, or facing tough conditions to restore power as safely and efficiently as possible. That readiness is not accidental. It comes from rigorous training, deep experience, and a shared commitment to serving others.

What makes lineworkers especially remarkable is that they aren’t just restoring power to a system; they’re restoring power to their own communities. They live here. They raise their families here. They understand that electricity is more than a convenience; it’s essential to daily life, to local businesses, to schools, farms, and emergency services. Powering the places we call home is personal.

Electric cooperatives like Dakota Electric Association are built on the principle of neighbors helping neighbors, and our lineworkers embody that spirit every day. They are the first to respond and the last to leave, often working long hours behind the scenes. Sometimes, serving our neighbors means extending beyond our service territory through a process called mutual aid. During major outages, Dakota Electric crews stand ready to assist neighboring co-ops, sometimes close to home and sometimes across state lines, to help restore power. This spirit of mutual aid strengthens all cooperatives and ultimately benefits the members we serve.

In 2024, Dakota Electric crews provided mutual aid to support Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative in Dade City, Florida, with Hurricane Milton restoration efforts.

We know that when the lights go out, it can be frustrating and disrupt daily life. We sincerely thank our members for your patience and support during these times. Linework is tough, physical, and sometimes dangerous. Our crews focus on safety and teamwork with each job. They take pride in their work and the trust our members place in them.

On April 13, 2026, we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day, but one day isn’t enough. Every day, we thank lineworkers for their service and dedication, which form the backbone of our cooperative.

To our lineworkers: thank you for your hard work, your dedication, and your unwavering commitment to the communities we serve. We are proud to stand with you and grateful for everything you do.

To report an outage in your area, please visit www.dakotaelectric.com/report-an-outage/.

Article provided by NRECA
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives. From growing suburbs to remote farming communities, electric co-ops serve as engines of economic development for 42 million Americans across 56% of the nation’s landscape.

Dakota Electric invites members to attend the 88^th Annual Meeting on April 23

(FARMINGTON, MN) April 3, 2026 – Dakota Electric Association® will hold its 88th Annual Meeting on Thursday, April 23, at the Dakota Electric headquarters at 4300 220th St. W, Farmington. The meeting will start at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and share their thoughts with Dakota Electric staff and Board Members. The purpose of the meeting is to conduct the Board of Director elections and hear reports from the CEO and Board Members on the state of the cooperative.

“Our Annual Meeting is an exciting day for everyone in the Dakota Electric network,” said Ryan Hentges, CEO of Dakota Electric. “I know all the staff and Board Members in attendance look forward to talking with and meeting our members.”

Members of Dakota Electric can participate in the annual election by voting for Directors who serve on the Board and govern the cooperative. Dakota Electric 2026 annual election ballots were mailed to members on March 30 from Survey & Ballot Systems, an independent election service. Each ballot includes instructions for voting by mail or online, as well as all Director candidate biographies. Candidate biographies and additional election information are also available at www.dakotaelectric.com/about-us/annual-meeting-election.

Voting instructions are listed below. Members may vote by mail, online, or in person, and may only vote once. If both an online vote and a paper ballot are received for the same account number, the online vote will be voided and only the paper ballot will be counted.

Vote by mail: Ballots must be received at Survey & Ballot Systems’ office by 12 p.m. on April 23. Please do NOT drop off ballots at Dakota Electric’s office. Members may instead bring their original paper ballot to Dakota Electric’s Annual Meeting on April 23 for in-person submission.

Vote online: Go to www.dakotaelectric.com; members will need their account number and election passcode, both of which will be included with the ballot mailed on March 30. The link to vote online will become available on March 30 at 12 p.m.

The following candidates are running for seats on the Board of Directors:

District 1 (three-year term):
John (Jack) DeYoe (incumbent), Laurie (Rieb) Bolin and Jeff Nelson

District 2 (three-year term):
Bill Middlecamp (incumbent) and Roberta Oveson

District 3 (three-year term):
Margaret D. Schreiner (incumbent)

District 4 (three-year term):
Paul Bakken (incumbent)

The annual meeting report will be available on Dakota Electric’s website after the meeting for members who cannot attend.

This meeting will take place in the cooperative’s warehouse, which is an active work area with uneven work surfaces. If you have mobility concerns or require accommodations, please contact Dakota Electric at 651-463-6212.

Members with election-related questions should email boardelection@dakotaelectric.com.

About Dakota Electric Association:
Dakota Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving over 117,000 members in and around Dakota County. Established in 1937, Dakota Electric is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to its members while actively engaging with the community and promoting energy efficiency. For more information, visit www.dakotaelectric.com or follow Dakota Electric on X, Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

The NRECA Youth Tour inspires future leaders by offering students an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where they learn about the cooperative business model, meet officials, visit monuments, and discuss key issues. Since 1967, Dakota Electric has sent about 170 students, demonstrating our commitment to the community.

Below are the students Dakota Electric is sponsoring for this year’s Youth Tour.

Dakota Electric’s Annual Meeting will take place on Thursday, April 23 at Dakota Electric’s headquarters, located at 4300 220th Street West in Farmington. Registration will open at 6 p.m. with the opportunity to chat with board candidates at 6:30 p.m.. The official business meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and the meeting will adjourn at 8:30 p.m.

Experts from the University of Minnesota and the Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District share research

(FARMINGTON, MN) March 24, 2026 – Agricultural producers and professionals gathered on Wednesday, March 18, for the 18th annual Crops Day, a morning event focused on sharing University of Minnesota research and local crop management strategies.

Crops Day was held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Dakota Electric Association office and was free and open to the public. The annual event is hosted by Dakota Electric Association, Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District, and University of Minnesota Extension.

The program featured presentations on weed management, irrigation, soil health, nutrient recommendations and energy conservation. University of Minnesota Extension Educator Eric Yu opened the event with a discussion on waterhemp management challenges and considerations facing growers. Vasudha Sharma, an irrigation specialist with the University of Minnesota Extension, followed with a presentation on using research data to inform precision irrigation decisions.

Water quality and safety were also highlighted. Matt Belanger of the Dakota County Environmental Resources Department discussed private well testing and the importance of measuring nitrate, arsenic, manganese, lead and coliform bacteria. Dru Larson of the Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District shared strategies for stacking conservation practices to improve soil health.

Nutrient management updates were provided by Dan Kaiser, University of Minnesota soil extension specialist, who reviewed phosphorus and potassium recommendations during economically challenging times. Travis Hirman, a soil scientist with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, presented on nitrogen best management practices.

Mike Plutowski of Dakota Electric Association concluded the program with an overview of energy conservation programs available to agricultural members.

The event also included a lunch conversation with presenters and a trade show featuring agricultural resources and partners.

Crops Day has been held annually for 18 years and continues to serve as a forum for delivering research‑based information and practical tools to support local agriculture.

About Dakota Electric Association:
Dakota Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving over 117,000 members in and around Dakota County. Established in 1937, Dakota Electric is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to its members while actively engaging with the community and promoting energy efficiency. For more information, visit www.dakotaelectric.com or follow Dakota Electric on X, Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

Local students to embark on educational trip to D.C.

(FARMINGTON, MN) March 20, 2026 – Dakota Electric Association is proud to announce the five local high school students selected to participate in the 2026 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, an all expense paid leadership trip to Washington, D.C., taking place June 14–21. The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour is coordinated by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

Since 1967, Dakota Electric has sent nearly 170 students to participate in Youth Tour, demonstrating our commitment to the community.

The students selected this year are:

A panel of judges selected the students after reviewing their applications and conducting a round of interviews. “Every year, I am amazed by not only the number but also the quality of candidates who apply,” said Peggy Johnson, community relations director at Dakota Electric. “It’s inspiring to meet students who care deeply about their communities and want to learn how they can make an impact.”

Since 1958, Youth Tour has brought together over 1,500 students annually from electric cooperatives across the country for a hands‑on learning experience in our nation’s capital. During the week, students learn about government, electric cooperatives, and how they work together. They also have the chance to visit several monuments, memorials, and museums in Washington, D.C., while meeting members of Congress.

Johnson added, “Youth Tour has a long legacy of shaping future leaders. We’re honored to support students from our service area as they explore government, cooperatives, and the power of civic engagement.”

Applications for the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour are available on Dakota Electric’s website each January. Eligible applicants must be sophomores, juniors, or seniors currently enrolled in high school and residing within Dakota Electric’s service area. Students wanting more information can visit https://www.dakotaelectric.com/youthtour/.

About Dakota Electric Association:
Dakota Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving over 117,000 members in and around Dakota County. Established in 1937, Dakota Electric is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to its members while actively engaging with the community and promoting energy efficiency. For more information, visit www.dakotaelectric.com or follow Dakota Electric on X, Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.