February 2024 Vision Newsletter

FROM THE DESK OF JEFF KREJDL EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES NEWEST SALES STAFF TEAM MEMBERS FORAGE EVENTS LOCATION FEATURE - NORTH PLATTE

National FFA Week

National FFA Week is observed from February 17 to 24. Ag Valley Co-op is delighted to assist FFA Chapters that applied for the FFA Impact Dollars Grant. In 2023, recipients included ArapahoeHolbrook, Cambridge, Eustis-Farnam, Maywood, Medicine Valley, South Platte, Southern Valley, and Southwest.

We have numerous staff members who were former FFA Members, we are proud to support agriculture education. Past FFA Members include: Justin Abbott, USD 110 Thunder Ridge FFA Chapter, Kansas - Agronomy Sales, Norton; Travis Cressler, Norton FFA Chapter, Kansas - Grain Merchandiser, Arapahoe; Jason Hambidge, Arapahoe - Holbrook FFA Chapter, NebraskaAgronomy Sales, Edison; Glenn Hilker, Holbrook FFA Chapter, Nebraska - Feed Sales, Cambridge; Dudley Karlson, Holdrege FFA Chapter, Nebraska - Grain Location Manager, Orleans; Rikki Luce, Weld Central FFA Chapter, Colorado - Grain Accounting, North Platte; Matt Volk, Franklin FFA Chapter, NebraskaAgronomy Sales, Cambridge;

From the Desk of Jeff Krejdl

As I am writing this, we are in the last week of our fiscal year. We are busy preparing to take inventories and getting facilities ready for our auditors to be here and verify our inventory counts. The drought of 2022 presented some significant challenges for us in 2023. As we close another fiscal year, it is evident those challenges will affect our financial results. I look forward to sharing those results with you when they become available.

This time of year always gets me excited as the anticipation of the spring season and the opportunities that a new year presents to us remind me of the exciting things that Ag Valley Co-op is doing for you, our members, and the communities we are a part of.

Last week, we marked a milestone in Ag Valley Co-op's history by hosting an open house for the new corporate office in Arapahoe, NE. The commitment by your board and the employees of Ag Valley Co-op to this new facility is a testament to our commitment to you, to serving our communities, and to fostering growth in the agriculture sector we are here to serve.

The new facility will allow us to continue our journey and dedication to excellence, integrity, and collaboration as we work towards becoming and staying relevant in this ever-evolving agricultural market.

If you did not get a chance to join us at the open house, I would invite you to stop by anytime and walk through the new office. I would love to show you around and discuss how we can help you with your farming operations.

In closing, I want to thank you for your business and your support of Ag Valley Coop. We know we would not exist without your support. We will continue to focus on being your partner in production agriculture and bringing value to operations. We appreciate the opportunity to help you be successful. Thank you,

Jeff Krejdl

Front

Be sure to congratulate these employees!

Employee Anniversaries

Celebrating in February

Bill Abbott – Edison Station, 8 years. Albie Annandale- H2A, 1 year. Conraad de Klerk – H2A, 1 year Manie Du Preez – H2A, 1 year

Rochelle Ehlers – Maywood Admin, 13 years. Anthony Ellerbeck –H2A, 1 year. Bill Gerver – Indianola Transportation, 2 years. Michelle Haag – Arapahoe Energy, 21 years. Hendrik Hanekom – H2A, 1 year. Rikki Luce – North Platte Grain, 5 years. Cindy Schluckebier –Indianola C-Store, 11 years. Steve Schmidt – Eustis Grain, 16 years

Susan Sheneman – Edison Admin, 2 years. Nico Wessels – H2A, 1 year. Joe Williams – Cambridge Station, 2 years

Newest Members of our Sales Staff

Travis Cressler - Grain Merchandiser

Since January 2024

Arapahoe

308.962.3681

tcressler@agvalley.com

I graduated from Fort Hays State University with a bachelor's degree in agricultural business. After college, I worked as a Grain Auditor for the state of Kansas for more than two years, acquiring expertise with grain cooperatives and traveling throughout the state. Then, in January 2022, I accepted a position as a Crop Consultant for Servi-tech for nearly two years, during which time I was exposed to both drought and early spring rainfall for crops in northwest Kansas. As a crop consultant, I've seen many different ways farmers manage their fields and farming operations. Learning about what each farmer wants to do differently with their crops in terms of chemicals and insecticides. Also assisting them with water management on their irrigated fields so that they can cultivate the best crops possible. Since the end of January, I have been working with the Ag. Valley grain team as a grain merchandiser.

Mike Minarik - Grain Merchandiser

Since January 2024

Arapahoe

402-210-9170

mminarik@agvalley.com

I am thrilled to take on the role of Agronomist at Ag Valley Cooperative. Being motivated by my deep commitment to assisting farmers and establishing sustainable agriculture techniques. I sincerely appreciate farmers' hard work and perseverance. I am dedicated to delivering customized solutions and expert advice to increase crop output while encouraging environmental stewardship. I am genuinely committed to developing great partnerships with farmers and leveraging current farming resources to prosper in a fast-changing agricultural landscape.

Ag Valley Hosts Forage Events

Ag Valley recently held Forage Events in both our new Corporate Headquarters in Arapahoe and in North Platte. Jeff Jackson, a seasoned professional in the industry, spearheaded the training. Participants gained knowledge regarding forage hybrids as well as the superiority of the forage.

Ag Valley Location Feature - North Platte

For the month of February we would like to highlight the North Platte Employees. Thank you for all you do for Team Ag Valley!

L to R: Jeff Franzen, Craig Howell, Matt Jorgenson, Bruce Schnakenberg, Joe Richmond, Chrissi Koch, Rikki Luce, Chad Mahnken, Brent Janssen, Mike Reynolds, Eldon Franzen,Tanner Dircksen, Dakota Powell, Gary Brooks, Jae Alamea, Victor Grundy, and Cody Tockey.

Above: Growers listen in North Platte.

Above: Growers listen in Arapahoe.