Long before cloud computing, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence became everyday conversations, Randy Ludewig was already asking a simple question:
"How can technology make this better?"
That question has guided his entire career.
As Randy prepares for retirement after 25 years with AgQuest Financial Services and Farmward Cooperative, he leaves behind far more than upgraded computers and modern software systems. He leaves an organization transformed by innovation, connected by technology, and prepared for a future that is increasingly digital.
What makes Randy's journey remarkable is where it began.
Not in a computer lab.
Not in a technology company.
But on a dairy farm.
For 18 years, Randy was a dairy farmer. In the late 1980s, he invested in a computerized feeding system—a decision that sparked a lifelong fascination with technology and its ability to solve real-world problems. Before long, he was writing custom software to better manage his dairy operation and even developing educational programs for his children.
Technology wasn't just becoming a hobby. It was becoming a calling.
After gaining experience building computers, designing networks, and supporting businesses through Axios Computer Sales and Tier 3 Solutions, Randy joined AgQuest and Harvest Land Cooperative in November 2001 as the organization's very first IT employee.
One employee. One vision. One opportunity to build something that would grow alongside the cooperative.
As Farmward and AgQuest expanded, so did the technology supporting them. Under Randy's leadership, a one-person IT department grew into a dedicated team responsible for supporting employees, protecting critical systems, and driving innovation across the organization.
Farmward CEO, John Husk, says one of Randy's greatest strengths extended well beyond technology.
"During the five years I have worked alongside Randy, I came to appreciate not only his exceptional technical expertise, but also the business perspective he brought to our leadership team," Husk said. "The best CIOs don't just lead technology—they help lead the business. Randy consistently balanced the day-to-day operational needs of our organization while looking ahead to where Farmward needed to be in the future. That strategic mindset made him an invaluable member of our leadership team."
He helped transform a collection of disconnected systems into a sophisticated technology infrastructure connecting ten locations through leased fiber, private wireless networks, and cloud-based platforms. Those investments gave employees secure access to the tools they needed—wherever they worked—and proved invaluable during periods of rapid organizational growth and change.
He led the continued development of AgQuest's proprietary loan origination platform, creating a flexible lending system capable of adapting to changing customer needs and industry partnerships. He worked alongside software partners to help bring Farmward's dispatch capabilities, scale automation, and operational technologies from concept to reality.
He also understood something many organizations didn't realize until much later. Technology only creates value when people trust it.
Recognizing the growing importance of cybersecurity, Randy established Farmward's Information Security Program and Security Committee, helping create a culture where protecting information became everyone's responsibility—not just IT's. Today, he serves as both Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer, balancing innovation with the discipline needed to safeguard the organization's data, employees, and customers.
While technology has changed dramatically throughout his career, Randy's leadership philosophy remained remarkably consistent.
He believed organizations didn't need to be first to adopt every new technology, but they could never afford to be last.
"When new technologies stick, they quickly become affordable," Randy often says. "You certainly can't be last."
That balanced approach helped Farmward embrace transformative technologies at the right time, from cloud computing and mobile collaboration to automation and digital infrastructure. Investments made years ago positioned the cooperative to navigate mergers, support a mobile workforce, and continue serving customers without missing a beat.
Even as artificial intelligence begins reshaping agriculture, Randy remains excited about what's ahead.
He believes the next generation of leaders will build intelligent, AI-driven workflows that allow customers to access information and services whenever they need them—creating even better experiences while freeing employees to focus on higher-value work.
Looking back, however, Randy doesn't measure success by the number of servers installed, networks built, or software projects completed.
He measures it by whether the organization is better prepared for tomorrow than it was yesterday.
His fingerprints can be found in nearly every part of the organization—from dispatch systems and grain operations to lending platforms, cybersecurity, communications, and the digital tools employees use every day.
Thank you, Randy, for your curiosity, your innovation, your steady leadership, and your unwavering commitment to helping Farmward and AgQuest embrace the future with confidence.