August 2012

Board of Directors August, 2012

District 1

Contents Finding the hidden hunger Myron Voth Vice Chairman

Cecil Wiebe

Analyzing a plant’s nutrient status provides producers proactive measurements to ensure maximum yields. ......... Pages 6 & 7

Profitable year reported at annual meeting Members cast unanimous ballots to re-elect board members and approve changes to articles of incorporation and by-laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 10

District 2

David Mills Secretary

Duane Johnson

District 3

MKC Field Marketer, Jared Miller, collects soybean samples for analysis.

C J Blew Chairman

Jason Gaeddert

At Large

Social media connecting producers Meet two members who follow MKC through social media and also promote agriculture through social media.......Page 4

Interns gain new perspective of industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 8 Neal Beam

Keith Becker

Jolene Brown, featured guest speaker at MKC’s annual meeting, entertains attendees with her humorous presentation, “When Pigs Fly!”.

Energy programs provide convenience, value and peace of mind Customers benefit from expertise and quality products and services . . . . . . . . . .Page 5

Team Marketing Alliance update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 10

Randy Ellwood

President & CEO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dave Christiansen Vice President & CFO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Danny Posch Vice President & CMO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .David Spears Director of Energy Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jason Creed Director of Southern Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Erik Lange Director of Northern Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Steve Peterson MKC Connections Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kerry Watson Staff Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cassie Wandersee Mid Kansas Coop Association P.O. Box D • Moundridge, KS 67107 • 620-345-6328 www.mkcoop.com

Why focus on growth?

I always find it interesting when I run into someone who asks the question, why focus on growth?

Somehow the vision the founders had for growth, from the day this company began, went from being an expectation to being assumed. Today, active growth is at times thought of with negative connotations.

At the time the coop was organized, the passion for meeting the constantly changing needs of the farmers’ expectations may not have been referred to as growth. However, I’m sure our founders had certain expectations of the coop’s ability to meet the changing needs of the growers. At that time, they built elevators and purchased equipment that satisfied the needs of the day. New assets were surely designed with the future in mind. I assure you our founders didn’t, or couldn’t, dream big enough to anticipate the speed at which we operate today. Nor could they grasp the complexity of the challenges and the volatility the future would bring with markets, supply, technology, communication, regulations, labor, finance, or the myriad of issues faced by growers or their coops today. We face the same challenges today that our founders did.

It is difficult to conceptualize or anticipate the speed at which we will operate in the future. I don’t believe the founders would expect us to be satisfied with mediocre performance or allow us to be content with leaving things alone.

Growth has had very positive effects on our members, owners and customers.

The most obvious has been our ability to employ people who are or can specialize in one segment of the business rather than trying to bounce from one highly

By Dave Christiansen, President & CEO

technical segment to another. As you know, the technical expertise necessary today far outweighs what it did in years past. Examples of this are our grain marketing specialists and crop insurance specialists. These people focus on what it takes to meet your expectations by having a good understanding of your operation and then applying the right product to meet your needs and risk tolerance. Another example is our seed specialists who have an understanding of why and where to place the right hybrid.

We are fortunate to have specialists in safety, environmental regulations, agronomy, finance, precision ag, energy and many other specialized positions.

Our growth has put us in a position where vendors come to us with specialized programs that others in the industry will never experience. A great example of this would be the soybean revenue assurance program we offered last year.

This program put close to $3 million into our producers’ hands in a year when it was desperately needed. Our tissue sampling is another program designed to help producers maximize yields. In addition, our growth has allowed us to provide multiple on-line offer systems, risk management programs and farm-gate representatives.

Because we chose to pursue growth, we are able to offer these programs managed by specialized employees.

I believe your cooperative needs to prepare for rapid growth opportunities in the future - and not just for growth’s sake. This growth will be a result of the natural course of business as we continue to prove our worth to our growers.

Regardless of where our growers live, they know that we can be depended on; we will fix our mistakes when they occur; and we have specialists who understand and can provide the

producer the tools to be more successful in this landscape fraught with risk.

These values position our company to be a strong and desirable partner in the future. They have precipitated our growth over the years and there is no reason to believe expansion will slow down. History has indicated that mergers typically didn’t occur until one party felt some financial stress.

Hopefully, in the future more members will support mergers between successful companies for the good of the members and the cooperative system.

Should growth concern us? Certainly, if we are not diligent in our preparations.

We focus our efforts on building a team who can execute in a growth environment on a daily basis. We also focus on building relationships with vendors who are willing to help us along. Our growth over the past 47 years has proven to make us a stronger company with a broader reach. Future growth will not diminish our focus on local control, our service to you at the farm gate or the responsibility of the location general manager to provide excellent customer service. Management of growth has not been an issue in the past and I don’t see it as an issue in the future.

In the words of Peter Drucker, a highly renowned management consultant, “the best way to predict the future is to create it.” I think this is what the founders of all cooperatives had in mind. By working together we can shape a dynamic company that will continue to meet your needs.

Thank you for your help in continuing the vision of the founders of all the cooperatives.

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Social media connecting producers with outside world

by Katie Sawyer, Freelance Writer

Klingenberg has a simple mission for his videos and posts – provide others a glimpse at the rural life and agriculture industry.

“I try to educate people,” he said. “The world is so urban now and people have no idea what’s going on at our farms.”

As Klingenberg spends his days Tweeting from the tractor cab, Cindy Baldwin, whose husband, Dwight, farms and raises cattle outside McPherson, shares articles on agriculture advocacy from her home office.

Derek Klingenberg uses his iPhone to make short videos and post messages to Facebook and Twitter while working in the tractor.

Derek Klingenberg is as talented behind the wheel of a tractor as he is behind the lens of a video camera. He’s probably best known for his YouTube hit “Bumblebees in the Hay,” but the rural Peabody producer has created several videos that put farming, cattle and rural life to music and at the fingertips of millions across the world.

Klingenberg, who graduated from Kansas State University in 2001 with a degree in agricultural economics and a minor in agronomy, manages the crop business of his family’s crop and cattle operation east of Walton. His younger brother manages the cattle and his father is also part of the twogeneration family farm.

Returning home after college, Klingenberg had no interest in the Internet and social media, but changed his tune when he realized he could use Facebook to promote his videos.

Since then, Klingenberg said he’s joined the social media world and “gone nuts” with technology.

“It’s amazing how much you can learn without really trying,” he said.

The father of two now authors a farm blog, which can be found at www.klingenbergfarms.blogspot.com, and recently joined the Twitter world, where you can connect with him at @klingpossum.

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With a background in journalism and media, Baldwin was an early adopter of social media, joining Facebook in July 2008 after seeing a few friends create profiles on the site. She now uses the website to post updates about the weather and happenings on the farm as well as articles others have posted about the farming industry.

“I try to think about my non-(agriculture) Facebook friends and help them get an idea of what’s happening on the farm,” she said.

Baldwin has also joined Twitter and said she works to communicate with people involved in the agriculture community and others who have no ties to farming.

“I became aware early on of the necessity of educating people on what we do,” she said.

MKC Communications/Administrative Specialist Kerry Watson said MKC uses Facebook and Twitter to communicate with its members and maintains a blog that includes content from the quarterly “Connections” magazine as well as unique content from various contributors.

During this year’s wheat harvest, MKC’s social media team took to Facebook and Twitter to keep producers informed and up-to-date. The team posted daily bushel intake amounts for various locations along with operating hours for grain elevators.

Klingenberg said he followed MKC on Facebook and used the posts to track the progress of harvest across MKC’s 11-county service area. Baldwin said she relied on the updates to know how late elevators would be open for grain delivery during harvest.

Both Baldwin and Klingenberg said being active on social media sites is important and allows them an avenue to connect with people outside the farm and share the story of their farms and the entire agriculture community.

“I don’t think we have much of a choice,” Klingenberg said of being active in the social media world. “If you don’t know something, the only thing to do is make assumptions and that only hurts our industry.”

Social media has also become an important communication tool for Mid Kansas Cooperative. Knowing many of its members have a presence online, MKC formed its social media team last fall with the goal of creating new lines of communication between the cooperative and producers.

“Our efforts in social media – in fact all forms of electronic communication - were born simply out of a desire to communicate with members in one more (and hopefully better) fashion,” said Mid Kansas Cooperative CEO, Dave Christiansen, adding that social media compliments MKC’s current communication efforts.

Cindy Baldwin uses Facebook to share articles and post updates about her family’s farm and agricultural issues.

Energy programs provide convenience, value and peace of mind

by Cassie Wandersee, Staff Writer

MKC operates one of the top professional energy departments in the state of Kansas and their Certified Energy Specialists (CES) are a crucial aspect of the energy department.

Certified Energy Specialists are highly trained in petroleum products and petroleum applications in order to provide the best service for customers and producers. Overall the goal of a CES is to provide convenient service and help the producer manage risk. MKC employs three Certified Energy Specialists to best serve customers.

“I think the most valuable skill a CES can have is the understanding that relationships drive this business,” said Chris Chandler. Chandler joined MKC in 2009 as a CES and was recognized in 2010 as a top lubricant salesman by Cenex.

Each CES working for MKC realizes the importance of building a relationship with the customer and understanding the customer’s need. Their purpose is to assist the producer in their farming practice, not simply sell them a product.

“Anybody can go out and sell something. It is what you do after the sale that differentiates you from the competitor,” said Donnie Holtzinger. Holtzinger graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in management and marketing. He joined MKC in April of 2010 as a CES. “If the right foundation is laid out and you have built a good trusting relationship with the customer, it makes things a lot easier down the road,” Holtzinger said.

The energy department recently added another CES to their ranks with the hiring of Brian Huxman in mid-June.

Since implementing Certified Energy Specialists into the energy department,

Jason Creed, Director of Energy Operations for MKC, says they have seen a large growth in commercial areas, picking up large accounts associated with construction, trucking, concrete and many other companies.

One important service that a CES promotes through the energy department is the Automated Fuel Delivery (AFD) system.

Implemented in 2004, the service works through an electronic monitoring system installed on the fuel tank that constantly monitors the level of fuel. When the fuel level drops below a predetermined level, a signal is sent to the fuel distribution center and the closest delivery truck is routed to the tank to fill it.

Certified Energy Specialists Chris Chandler, Brian Huxman and Donnie Holtzinger play a critical role in the success of MKC’s energy division.

The convenience of the automatic fuel delivery is an excellent service for producers with busy schedules.

The bulk oil delivery program is one of many invaluable services offered by the MKC energy department.

“AFD increases productivity of the farm by automatically routing and delivering fuel to all of its customers, which saves them time and the hassle of dealing with it,” said Holtzinger.

“Our bulk oil program is a good option for the producer as well,” said Chandler.

“It eliminates the mess of barrels and gives producers and customers a break on price.”

Under the Automated Fuel Delivery program, producers only pay for the fuel they use each month. The option to buy out the inventory of the tank at any time is available to producers, as well as options for fuel contracts and average monthly pricing.

The Total Protection Plan Warranty is another program that is endorsed by MKC. It is offered through Cenex and provides coverage for engines and transmissions when Ruby Fieldmaster premium diesel and Cenex lubricants are exclusively used in equipment.

“The AFD system is invaluable for the producer. They win from all angles. It eliminates the worry about running out of fuel and minimizes risk and exposure to the volatile markets,” said Chandler.

“I am a huge fan of the Total Protection Plan Warranty offered through Cenex. What other company will offer a no fault warranty on farm equipment for 10 years or 10,000 hours with the use of their products? Nobody,” said Holtzinger. “It says a lot about a company that stands behind their products to this degree. The warranty program is another unique program MKC offers to its customers, and every producer out there with qualifying

CJ Blew, MKC board of directors’ chairman, uses the AFD service on his farming operation in the Castleton-Pretty Prairie area. Blew said he began using the service for convenience more than anything. “It’s really nice to not have to worry about ordering fuel,” said Blew.

Cont. on pg. 9

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Finding the hidden hunger

by Cassie Wandersee, Staff Writer

Kent said. “But the program is really designed to operate to the middle of the sufficiency operating range.”

Kent went on to explain that in order to operate at the middle of a sufficiency operating range, nutrients are not simply determined as adequate or inadequate, instead nutrients are plotted in ranges where healthy plants produce best and the goal is to keep nutrients in that range.

Operating in the middle of a healthy nutrient scale is the most efficient way to provide plant nutrition. The data from tissue sampling can also be used to determine if there are toxic levels in the plant.

Another important aspect of the MKC tissue sampling program is elemental prominence. Elemental prominence ranks the nutrients in order of importance to the plant and allows the producer to address the most important nutrient issues first.

MKC Field Marketer, Jared Miller, collects soybean samples for analysis.

MKC is constantly looking for ways to help producers reach their maximum yield potential. The tissue sampling program, implemented in 2010, is one program that producers have access to for assistance in ensuring the best producing crops.

Tissue sampling is the process of analyzing a plant’s nutrient status at the time of sampling. The gathered information can then be used to implement a corrective fertilizer application in the same growing season, determine the adequacy of current fertilizing practices and provide a guide for the following season’s fertilizer plan.

Tissue sampling is not a new concept. It began in the 1800’s with studies of plant ash that compared the relationship between yields to nutrient content. Since that time it has developed into a much more accurate and scientific practice that allows for proactive measurements instead of reactive. Today samples are taken from plants at key developmental stages. It is

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recommended to take samples three times a year due to outside factors that can change plant tissue concentrations over the growing season.

Proactive planning is the goal of tissue sampling today. Early sampling is one of the best practices to ensure a successful crop. “Stay ahead of the curve and take samples early. If you see signs of deficiency sometimes it is too late,” said Jared Miller, MKC Field Marketer serving Ottawa, Clay, Dickinson and northern Saline counties.

Kent Nichols, Agronomy Field Sales Manager for MKC serving the eastern region, describes tissue sampling as “finding the hidden hunger” in the plant. Kent said that if the plant is not receiving proper nutrition and not performing to full capacity, then yield is sacrificed.

“The biggest misconception is that the program exists to sell more products,”

Floyd and Darcy Nickel, the father and son team that own and operate Woodybrook Farms located south of Goessel, Kan, began using the tissue sampling program three years ago with 2011 being the most extensive sampling year.

Floyd and Darcy both agreed that the program is essentially in the hands of MKC. “They know about our fertilizing process, so they know when it is best to test and can see what results are occurring,” Darcy commented.

The knowledge to interpret the results of the plant nutrients report and create a plan based on those interpretations is an essential part of the tissue sampling service provided by MKC. Producers often use the tissue sampling program to alter their fertility plans for the following growing season. “It’s good to see how your crop is doing this year to adjust for next year,” said Darcy. He went on to explain that they typically take three corn samples a year and have tried sam-

pling wheat and soybeans.

Testing of the beans led them to apply copper and potassium, but the results were not as positive as they had hoped due to a lack of rain. “All too often we try to correct the situation but then we don’t get rain,” Floyd said.

a healthy crop with maximum yield potential. Soil sampling is also an essential part of the testing plan, providing information about what nutrients are currently present in the soil and a soil test history. When only tissue sampling is used, difficulties can occur in the interpretation of the analysis.

While tissue sampling can be a great asset to a producer, it is important to remember that many steps are necessary to ensure a successful crop.

“Tissue sampling is not a silver bullet, just another tool in the shed,” said Jared.

Jared Miller explained how a lack of moisture can affect testing results. “If soil moisture is not adequate some nutrients could come back as deficient that are in the ground, but simply cannot make it to the plant since moisture is not present to transmit the nutrients,” he said.

“We consider outside influences, understanding the results can be affected by many things,” Kent said.

Miller also said that the environment the sample is taken in can alter the results of the test analysis. “Taking a sample during the heat of the day can affect results. If the plant is heat stressed it will fail to take up nutrients causing the results to show a false deficiency,” he said.

It is recommended that samples are taken at approximately the same time of day and under the same environmental conditions. If the first sample is taken at 9 a.m. on a sunny day, the subsequent samples should also be taken at the same time on a sunny day to eliminate inconsistency in the testing process and results.

Tissue sampling is only a part of ensuring

Floyd and Darcy Nickel began using MKC’s tissue sampling program three years ago. Both agree their program is essentially in the hands of MKC.

The following is a partial example of an analysis report for corn. Comparatives and recommendations for magnesium, sulfur, calcium, boron, manganese, iron and copper are also provided in each report.

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Interns gain new perspective of industry As the agriculture industry advances into the future, it is essential to ensure that younger generations are going along with it. One of the ways MKC is doing its part to ensure this happens is through its internship program.

This summer, 10 college students or recent college graduates were selected for internships in various departments within MKC. Many were referred to the internship by current employees or were recruited at college job fairs. Others have previously been summer employees for MKC and were approached about the internship.

Jeff Frizell, Human Resources Manager for MKC, says that the internship program, “gives us high-quality talent during the summer months to assist the cooperative with special projects.”

Although MKC has had interns for a number of years, Frizell says this is the fourth year for the improved program since it was reorganized, with the number of interns significantly increased. One aspect of the program is for the managers to create a list of goals for interns to complete over the summer.

Danielle Chapman Plano, TX

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Sara Winkel Glen Elder, KS

One special project that interns are assisting with is tissue sampling. Brandon Warner says that he has enjoyed, “pulling tissue samples and talking to customers to build a relationship.” Warner grew up on a farm outside of Haven, Kan, and will begin studying agronomy at Fort Hays State University in the fall.

Brett Myers, Director of Personnel and Training for MKC, organized this year’s internship program. He says one of the main goals of the program is to attract new employees. “It’s basically a threemonth job interview,” Myers said.

Many interns hope to gain a position with MKC after their internship is over. While the number of interns varies from year to year, Myers said that approximately 30 percent of the interns are hired to work full time for MKC once they graduate.

Frizell added, “Our internship program is a great way of developing a database of people we may want to hire in the future.”

Robbie Beyer is studying agricultural technology management at Kansas State University and is one intern hoping for a job at MKC after he graduates in May

Ty Goossen Hillsboro, KS

by Cassie Wandersee, Staff Writer

2013 saying that he hopes “to land a full time position with MKC.” The job outlook for college students with degrees in agriculture and food science is positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected a 10 percent growth in agriculture and food science industries between 2010 and 2020, creating more jobs for college graduates.

Frizell frequents college job fairs in Kansas at major universities like Kansas State, Wichita State and Fort Hays, as well as community colleges in the area.

He also travels out of state to Oklahoma, Nebraska and Iowa in search of prospective interns.

Summer interns come from a varying background of agriculture experience.

Some grew up on farms and ranches, while others have had minimal exposure to the world of agriculture.

Beyer grew up in Michigan City, Ind with a population of just over 32,000 people.

“I didn’t grow up on a farm, but took an interest in agriculture when I got to college,” said Beyer.

Tessa Blackwood Clay Center, KS Taylor Myers Robbie Beyer Brandon Warner Michigan City, IN Cassie Wandersee Canton, KS Haven, KS Erin Mosiman Dwight, KS Carolyn Palmer Newton, KS Leon, KS

Intern article (continued)

Frizell explained that when searching for an intern, their degree or background does not play a major role in his recruiting efforts. Instead he says he looks for an intern that has the same qualities as a potential employee, “I look for a talented person who has the personality that fits into our environment. Someone with a serious attitude about developing a career.”

“If there are people out there like me, who know only the animal side of agriculture, this is an awesome opportunity to have a chance to learn the grain/agronomy side,” said Danielle Chapman who is interning at the Abilene location this summer.

Chapman, originally from Plano, Texas, is majoring in animal science at Kansas State University.

The internship program provides valuable work experience that students can take into the future. “By gaining management knowledge and learning what it takes to run a business, it will greatly help with my future career,” said Taylor Myers. Taylor has worked for MKC over the past three summers,

but this is his first year in an internship position with the energy division at McPherson.

Providing valuable experience is one important aspect of the internship program, however it is not the most important. Dave Christiansen, CEO of Mid Kansas Coop, said the most important aspect is to, “have interns gain an understanding of what we do on a daily basis and have a good experience.”

It is the hope of Frizell and Myers that interns will help to expand the visibility of MKC on their college campuses by sharing their positive experiences with their friends and peers.

MKC interns are receiving valuable experience and helping to advance MKC and the agriculture industry into the future. Christiansen says, “It is important to our organization to have fresh faces that bring fresh ideas and a different way of looking at things.”

Quality products...(continued from page 5)

equipment should be taking advantage of it.”

Galen Becker, who farms south of Burns, is one of many MKC customers that have utilized the services provided by the Certified Energy Specialists. “One of the main reasons I use the programs offered by the CES is because of the warranty on my tractors and the service they provide,” stated Becker.

While Becker has never had to use the warranty, he said it is good to know that his equipment is protected. Becker also uses the Automated Fuel Delivery system on his farm.

Whether producers are taking advantage of the AFD system, bulk oil, or warranty protection plans, they can be assured their CES is knowledgeable and will provide the best customer service available in the industry today.

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Profitable year reported at annual meeting Members encouraged to continue the legacy

by Cassie Wandersee, Staff Writer

The 47th Annual Stockholders’ Meeting was held July 19 at the Bicentennial Center in Salina, Kan. Approximately 600 people were in attendance including stockholders, their families and special guests.

Stockholders heard reports on the financial status of the cooperative from Danny Posch, Chief Financial Officer for MKC. Overall the fiscal year of 2012 was classified as a profitable year for the cooperative and its members with over $13 million in net earnings and $5.9 million returned to producers in the form of patronage.

“The financial results we are seeing are results of a good harvest coupled with a good group of employees who can perform when given the tools to work with,” said CJ Blew, Board Chairman, in his report to the members.

Ron and Renetta Stucky are a husband and wife farming team who are long time MKC stockholders. The couple commented 2012 marked the first time in ten to twelve years that they have attended the annual meeting saying that since they are now retired from farming, they finally have the time to attend. “We wanted to see what was going on with the coop and what was happening with growth,” said Mrs. Stucky. Although the couple has retired from farming, they have rented out their farm ground and have grain delivered to MKC locations.

Growth and preparedness for the future were two topics heavily stressed at the meeting. Many stockholders have been concerned with the growth of MKC. Dave Christiansen, Chief Executive Officer of MKC, did acknowledge that bigger isn’t always better, however he said that “our growth has provided the coop and its members with significant advantages in many areas.”

179 voting members approved by unanimous ballot the election of incumbent board members, Myron Voth, Neal Beam and David Mills. Members also cast a unanimous ballot to approve the proposed changes to the articles of incorporation and by-laws.

Jolene Brown was the guest speaker for the evening. She entertained those in attendance with her speech entitled, “When Pigs Fly!” featuring a serious message accompanied with just the right amount of humor. Her speech was centered on the main theme of looking for possibilities in turbulent times and helping those

While the annual meeting is an excellent place to come to learn Nearly 600 guests attended the 47th Annual Stockholders’ meeting. about the happenings of the in agriculture realize that the pace, people, company, it also presents an opportunity process and products have all changed; for socializing with old friends and meeting therefore those in the industry must new ones. adapt to change.

Theodore “Ted” Otsberg has been attendBrown’s message fit very well with the mesing the annual meeting for the past 20 to sage Christiansen presented in his address 30 years. “It’s a social place,” he said.

“We meet new people and see old friends.” to the audience. “The theme of this year’s meeting is continuing the legacy,” stated Ted also stressed that he attends the meetChristiansen. “Remember, though, that ing because he has an interest in the elevator at Lindsborg where he delivers his grain legacy does not imply that you do things the same as you’ve always done them.” saying, “it’s the only one we have, so we have to have interest in it.”

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Supporting your own

by Devin Schierling

As we prepare for the upcoming fall harvest, we are reminded of how fortunate our trade territory was with the 2012 wheat harvest. The unpredictable Kansas weather provided producers with a much needed bountiful wheat harvest after last year’s fall harvest – one of the poorest fall harvests on record. Team Marketing Alliance greatly appreciates the trust you instilled in us to handle your wheat harvest needs and truly thanks you for your business.

When TMA was formed nearly 13 years ago, one of the major points of emphasis was creating a structure that would allow the member cooperatives to grow and renew their infrastructure. The vision of these founding members is being executed by today’s leadership.

It’s easy to point out the large projects that have been completed such as the new storage built this past year at Halstead, Lindsborg, Marion, Burns and Nickerson.

For every large project there are countless other enhancements to existing facilities that go unnoticed until harvest time.

Whether it’s speeding up a leg, adding a second scale, or reworking additional space, the goal is to provide you with a safe and extraordinary harvest experience.

The member cooperatives of TMA are committed to improving the harvest experience for its members. The desired experience may be different, but the message is clear. Producers want to be able to deliver to locations that will efficiently and quickly unload their grain allowing them to return to their fields in a timely manner.

If we lived in a world where capital was not an issue, every location would be upgraded at the same time. It’s unclear just how our infrastructure growth will look in the coming years, but the prioritization of these projects can only be determined by your support.

Congratulations to our 2012 Scholarship Recipients!

Lori James Smoky Valley High School

Nicholas Vogts Canton-Galva High School

Nathan Peterson Southeast of Saline Senior High

Taylor Harms Marion High School

Grace Heidebrecht McPherson High School

Lance Schroeder Inman High School

Emily Harris Abilene High School

Kassidy Glazner McPherson High School

Lauren Barlow Inman High School