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A man of his word

When the dusting of North Dakota snowflakes turns into

Hilken became a Capital Electric board director in June 2008.

“Farmers don’t take vacations,” Kyle says with a laugh. “They can usually get away from the farm to go to Medora or the state fair. But if I went to the Bahamas, my neighbors would wonder.”

Kyle, who declares himself a “country boy at heart,” knows hard work and precious little free time. He currently farms northeast of Wilton on land homesteaded by his great-grandfather, Christ Hilken. Kyle’s family now preserves and treasures the original three-quarter land document signed by President McKinley.

Because he comes from a farming family, Kyle also knows the value of cooperatives. For more than 20 years, he’s been a member of the elevator and Cenex in Wilton. He also currently serves as chairman of the board for Cenex, and was recently elected to the Capital Electric board of directors this past June.

“I knew a lot about electric cooperatives because my dad served on the Capital Electric board for 39 years. But when I campaigned before the annual meeting this summer, I didn’t want to run on his coattails,” Kyle says. “I didn’t mention his name because I had my own experience and qualifications.”

With that disclaimer, it is clear Kyle has the utmost respect for both his parents, Gene and Vivian, who still live in Wilton. He says they taught him integrity, honesty and to be a man of his word.
They also taught him, when in doubt, to call “ma.” And to this day, he still does.

Leaving the concrete jungle

When Kyle graduated from Wilton High School back in 1988, he knew he loved the farm—but he also knew he wanted to go to college. He moved to Fargo to attend North Dakota State University and study political science and public relations, as well as business and broadcasting.

During and after college, Kyle worked for radio stations in Fargo, Bismarck and eventually the Twin Cities. He also worked a job in human resources. When his dad decided to put more land into the Conservation Reserve Program, Kyle returned home to give farming a shot.

“At some point, I always knew I’d move back to North Dakota. I liked living in the country, and I love fishing, hunting, the outdoors and the changing of the seasons. It’s not a concrete jungle,” he says.

Listening and learning

While he misses attending music concerts and other cultural activities in the Twin Cities, Kyle seems content to farm, spend time with his Labrador and travel on occasion—just not to the Caribbean.

During the slower winter months, Kyle goes back to “communicating with people.” For several winters now, he’s worked for the state of North Dakota in the unemployment insurance claims center. He’ll answer unemployment questions once again this winter, until calving season begins. Then it’s back to the farm.

Capital Electric certainly gives Kyle the opportunity to communicate too—with fellow directors, co-op staff and members. But right now, he’s doing more listening, and learning.

“Since July, I’ve learned so much. Because of my family’s coop history and my board service with Cenex, I knew a lot more about cooperatives than the average person. In the future I hope to bring ideas, experiences and a different outlook to the Capital Electric board. But for now, I’m still learning,” he says.