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DECEMBER 26, 2023
VISION NEWSLETTER Producer Summit
IN THIS ISSUE
Ag Valley Co-op presented our third Annual Producer Summit on Wednesday, December 6th, at the Nebraska MAYWOOD BUSINESS CLASS VISITS College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis. Thank you to AG VALLEY everyone who came, to NCTA for hosting the Summit, and to FROM THE DESK OF JEFF KREJDL our sponsors for helping us provide a great lineup of speakers. EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES PRODUCER SUMMIT
MEET THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF OUR SALES STAFF
Left: Dr. David Kohl gives the keynote presentation.
@AgValleyCoop
@AgValleyCoop Left: The Ag Valley Co-op Vice President’s Panel gave the audience time to ask questions.
@AgValleyCoop @AgValleyCoop AG VALLEY COOP E-NOTIFICATIONS: INFO@AGVALLEY.COM
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Maywood Business Class Visits Ag Valley
Left: The Junior High Business Class recently toured the Maywood facilities of Ag Valley by Randy Nelsen, Willis Ruppert, and Eric Merrritt.
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DECEMBER 26, 2023
From the Desk of Jeff Krejdl Christmas has come and gone, and as we prepare to move into 2024, I am thankful for everything Ag Valley Co-op has accomplished in 2023. From the educational programs we put together for you to opening the new facility at Jennings, KS, to starting construction at Edison and Maywood, to having our first meetings in the new office in Arapahoe, 2023 has been a year of working with committed partners to accomplish great things in your Cooperative. That is the essence of what it means to be part of a Cooperative and why I think the cooperative business model is still viable and productive. I genuinely believe that we are all stronger working together than separately, and I thank you for allowing us to be your partner in production agriculture. The past several years have taught us that we know it will not be business as usual going forward. As I look at your Cooperative, I know that we need to continue to evaluate our daily tasks and procedures and look for those efficiencies that will bring profitability to Ag Valley Coop. We must be diligent in controlling our expenses. We must continually look for ways to add value to your farming operations and find ways to be relevant to you and the marketplace we operate in. If the employees of Ag Valley come to work every day with those goals in mind, we can all look forward to a successful future. As always, thank you for your business and continued support of Ag Valley Co-op. We know that you have options for your agricultural needs, and we will work hard every day to continue to earn your business. Thanks, and Happy New Year!
Jeff Krejdl
Our Board of Directors had their last meeting of 2023 in the new office in Arapahoe. They look forward to holding meetings and staff moving in the new year. Front Row (L to R): Leon Ehrke, Dennis McConville, Brian Juenemann, LaVern Banzhaf. Second Row (L to R): DJ Lunkwitz, Darren Warner, Doug Snyder, Mark Miller, Curtis Lowry, and Tyler Ruf.
DECEMBER 26, 2023
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Employee Anniversaries
Celebrating in December
Be sure to congratulate these employees!
Jeff Franzen – North Platte Agronomy, 16 years Carla Meyers – Maywood Admin, 4 years Willis Ruppert – Maywood Agronomy, 4 years Diane Stevenson – Edison Admin, 10 years Teagan Thode – North Platte Agronomy, 1 year
Meet the Newest Members of our Sales Staff Chad Mahnken - Feed Sales
My name is Chad Mahnken. My wife Tara and I have spent our entire lives in North Platte/Lincoln County. After a long career in telecommunications, I am delighted to begin a new chapter in our lives as a feed salesman here at Ag Valley. We love the rural way of life. I own a small cow/calf herd and am looking forward to meeting you. Please stop by or call!
Since December 2023
North Platte
cmahnken@agvalley.com
Justin Abbott - Agronomy Sales
Since October 2022
Norton 785.476.8014
jabbott@agvalley.com
308.530.2268
Justin Abbott, an agronomist in Norton, is a Kensington native. Justin adds a wealth of knowledge in farming, ranching, and equipment to any team. Growing up on the family farm has given him over twenty years of farm and ranch expertise, as well as five years of equipment sales, all of which assist present and future customers. Justin is an active member of his community, serving on the local School Board, the Special Education Cooperative School Board, the Sons of the American Legion, and coaching numerous youth sports teams such as baseball, basketball, football, and swimming. Justin's greatest joy is spending time with his wife, Amy, and their two sons, Adam (9) and Oliver (4), as well as their expecting daughter, Marinette. The family enjoys sports, their family farm, and spending time outside hunting, fishing, kayaking, and hiking. Justin approaches all he does with a strong family-based work ethic. He is proud to assist the farming community as an agronomist at Ag Valley and to continue his own development through the relationships he has formed along the road.
DECEMBER 26, 2023
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Meet the Newest Members of our Sales Staff
Dominic Johnson - Agronomy Sales
Since May 2023
Indianola 402.326.7154
I am a passionate agronomist who graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a degree in Agronomy and a minor in Ag Econ. Growing up in Lincoln, Nebraska, I gained a great passion for agriculture through visits to my extended family's farm, which established a love for the industry in me. With a conservation agriculture emphasis, I concentrate on 4R nutrient management as well as complete integrated pest management. While I am now pursuing certification as a Certified Crop Adviser (CCA), I was already recognized as a recipient of the American Society of Agronomy NSRP during my collegiate years. I am constantly eager to keep up with industry innovations, so I eagerly read agronomy journals and find inspiration in real-world implementations of cutting-edge procedures. I'm looking forward to meeting more farmers and making a difference on their farms.
djohnson@agvalley.com
Jennifer Henderson - Energy Sales
Since September 2023
Jennifer Henderson is a Certified Energy Specialist that works in the Refined Fuels, Lubricants, and Propane Industry. Jennifer has a background in healthcare and has also worked as a fuel dispatcher, bank teller, and in marketing, providing her with a well-rounded view in her current role. Jennifer's significant accomplishments include a strong understanding of client needs and a great willingness to assist producers in growing their businesses. Her passion for providing excellent customer service makes her a significant asset.
Jennifer is actively involved with CHS's Women in Leadership program, which focuses on empowering and supporting women in their professional development. This project exemplifies her commitment to equality and her belief in the value of diverse leadership. Jennifer's professional philosophy centers around providing excellent customer service and finding answers to her client's needs. She believes that by truly listening to her clients and understanding their specific challenges, she can create customized solutions that exceed expectations. Jennifer and her family live in Norton, Kansas. Spouse Josh Wonderly and his three children: Alexis is a senior, Natatlie is a junior, and Eli is a student in the eighth grade. Aubree, Jennifer's daughter, is in first grade.
Norton
308.962.6104
jhenderson@agvalley.com, jennifer.henderson@chsinc.com