Meet MAC Monday: Katie Derks
Meet Katie Derks!
Katie has been with MAC for three years. She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education. Katie started her career working for Fremont Public Schools for 6 years, then moved to work at a large dairy in their calf barn, then came to MAC to run the scale and do some accounting work in Newaygo. She just recently transitioned roles again to become the Grain Merchant.
As Katie settles in as the merchant, she’s aware that grain merchants are often known to be the “middle man”, since it is their job to buy grain when farmers want to sell then store it until the users want to buy. With that being said, she says it’s really a collaboration between the farmer and merchant to know what value the producer is looking for and where/when to market their grain to maximize their profit. Her favorite part of working for MAC is getting to meet new producers and see their operations – an opportunity being a grain merchant provides.
Katie has three children with her husband of 17 years. They have an 80 acre farm, where each of her children has a different interest. Her oldest enjoys raising pigs, her middle child raises Registered Herefords, and her youngest has a herd of registered Boer Goats. When it comes to working in agriculture, her favorite time is spring on the farm – minus the mud! She says to see what you have worked hard for standing in the pasture with the new little ones beside them is so rewarding.
In her free time, Katie and her family enjoy camping, boating and ATV riding. Her favorite meal is authentic steak tacos. She also says the U.P. is her happy place, with Lake Superior being her favorite Great Lake.
We’re grateful to have her on our MAC team!
