Behind the Board: A Conversation with Bob Subart, District II

For more than a century, cooperatives like ours have been shaped by everyday people who care deeply about their communities. In District II, that leadership comes from Board Director Bob Subart, a lifelong North Dakotan whose roots run deep into the prairie soil he still farms today.

A Life Built on Faith, Family, and the Farm Bob grew up in Robinson, where he still lives on the same family farm his grandparents homesteaded after immigrating from the Czech Republic. He is now the third generation to work that land. Aside from attending NDSU for four years, he says he has spent his entire life on the original homestead.

Bob and his wife, Margaret, have been married for 34 years. The two were introduced through their sisters, who, in true small-town fashion, knew they’d make a perfect match. Together they raised three sons, and two of those sons now have three boys each, carrying the Subart name and work ethic into the next generation.

The Subart farm is very much a family operation. Bob manages the crops while one of his sons oversees their 300-head cattle ranch, both families working side-by-side as they transition the ranch to the next generation.

Why Bob Serves on the Board Bob has always believed in stepping up when there's community need. From serving as church council president to being involved in local politics, he’s never been one to sit on the sidelines.

His path to the BEK Board began when he was elected in 2019. “I’ve always liked business, how it works, how it grows, and how decisions today shape tomorrow,” Bob says. “BEK is a large and dynamic business for our area. There’s so much cutting-edge technology coming our way, and I want to help make smart decisions that keep this cooperative strong for the future.”

Bob says serving on the Board opened his eyes to just how complex and forward-thinking a modern cooperative must be.

“Whether you’re running a farm, ranch, town business, or cooperative, there are always rules, taxes, planning, and funding decisions to work through,” he explains. “I never knew how a large cooperative like BEK was funded, but now I do. I like knowing how things work and how business runs, and BEK is a thriving cooperative. I’ve learned so much about what it takes to serve all our members.”

A Word of Encouragement to Members Bob believes many members would truly enjoy serving on the Board, especially those who are curious, community-minded, and willing to put in the time.

“The more involved members are, the better we understand each other, and the better they understand how this cooperative works,” he noted. “That only makes us stronger.”

With his seat up for election in June, Bob welcomes anyone interested in stepping forward.