The 2023 harvest will soon be upon us and the crop in NW Iowa and SE South Dakota looks to be in good shape. Crop conditions in our trade territory vary from slightly below average to well above average and most certainly better than last year.
John McDaniel CEO
We have been busy this spring and summer with a number of projects focused on upgrading our operational capabilities and growing the business. The new Union Grove elevator in Union County, SD (exit 38, o I-29) is coming along nicely and we expect to be ready to receive beans at harvest time. This facility has 2.5MM bu of storage and is built for speed and e ciency (30,000 bu/hr handling with automated dual scales) and will provide a great market for producers in this area. We have battled some big rains at the construction site, causing some lost time.
The new corn pile in Ritter is on schedule to be ready for corn harvest this fall and will consist of a new large dump pit and high capacity drag and conveyor. This system will give us the ability to move trucks through in under 10 minutes at harvest. We have installed new automation in our Ireton feed mill and will be making additional upgrades to processing and handling equipment this fall, keeping this mill one of the most e cient in the area. We are also adding a second scale in Ireton along with scale automation to reduce wait times at harvest. Sanborn has been under constant construction over the last 12 months, as we added a new seed shed there prior to spring and are currently under construction on a new automated liquid fertilizer/chemical plant and new 1 MM gallon UAN storage tank. These investments will provide all of our customers on the east side of our territory with state of the art facilities, upgrading our capabilities to serve your growing need for speed and e ciency.
Along with the infrastructure investments we are making, we are also challenging ourselves to create a more e cient business structure, better able to service your changing needs, and successfully operate in the evolving markets around us. We will continue challenging ourselves to operate Farmers Coop Society in the most e cient manner possible, always with an eye on servicing our members/customers better.
Our Agronomy division had an excellent spring this year that has moved into a busy and productive summer. The team has done an outstanding job of once again managing through volatile markets, ensuring product supply and competitive programs. I have received a number of compliments this year from our customers on the excellent quality of our post crop applications. Hats off to our skilled team of applicators, best in the business!
Grain and livestock markets continue to be extremely volatile this year, providing both risk and opportunity for producers. Please utilize our livestock and grain marketing teams to position yourself to take advantage of this and manage your risk, we have very knowledgeable and seasoned teams.
I wish everyone a productive and safe harvest. Thank you for your continued support!
Be Safe!
John
Introducing NICHOLAS VAKSDAL, an ambitious high school graduate from Canton High School with a strong connection to agriculture and a compelling vision for his future. As the son of a long line of farmers, Nicholas has been deeply involved in farming and rural life since his early days. His passion for animals and desire to become a veterinarian has driven him to pursue a major in Animal Science at South Dakota State University, with aspirations for a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University. Nicholas's academic excellence, leadership experience, and dedication to farming activities highlight his commitment to making a positive impact on the agricultural community. With a focus on promoting livestock health and optimizing cattle quality, Nicholas aims to play a crucial role in shaping the future of agriculture and animal care.
Meet ELLA VANDER
STOUWE, a passionate high school graduate from Sioux Center High School with a strong bond to agriculture. As a thirdgeneration farmer, Ella has been actively involved in her family's livestock and harvest activities. With a desire to make a di erence in people's lives, she plans to pursue a major in Elementary Education at Dordt University. Ella's commitment to sustainability in agriculture, combined with her leadership roles in various civic organizations and extracurricular activities, showcase her dedication to community and making the world a better place. Through her ag-related leadership, she has introduced her peers to the industry, promoting a positive impact on farming practices and beyond. Ella Vander Stouwe's journey stands as a testament to the harmonious connection between her passion for education and her deep-rooted vision for the future of agriculture.
2023 Scholarship Recipients
Meet JESSICA MILLER, a highly deserving scholarship recipient and graduate from Murray County Central High School, who is embarking on an educational journey in Agriculture Systems Technology at South Dakota State University. Jessica's vision for the future of agriculture aligns perfectly with her chosen eld of study as she sees the potential for technology to revolutionize farming operations. Jessica envisions a future where farmers can leverage advanced systems to enhance their productivity and sustainability. Her passion for agriculture extends beyond her academic pursuits, as she hopes to return to her family's farm and carry on the family legacy. Having worked on the farm her entire life, Jessica aspires to one day take over the family operation and continue nurturing its growth and success.
Meet MEGAN MULDER, a driven graduate from Western Christian High School, whose deep passion for agriculture and animals has shaped her career goals. Megan is set to attend Northeast Iowa Community College to pursue her dream of becoming a Production Animal Veterinary Technician. Her vision is to give back to the community that nurtured her love for animals and agriculture. Raised on an acreage outside Rock Valley, Megan actively contributed to the agricultural landscape by raising bottle calves to full-market beef cattle and assisting area farmers and vets. Megan believes it is crucial to engage in tough conversations with those not involved in agriculture, helping them understand the industry's importance and practices. With a strong commitment to answering tough questions and dispelling misconceptions, Megan aims to be a voice for the agricultural community and promote its signi cance in our lives.
Meet LEAH LANGEL, a high school graduate from Gehlen Catholic High School with a strong rural background in Le Mars, Iowa. Growing up on her family's farm, Leah's passion for agriculture and desire to make a di erence led her to pursue a major in Health Sciences, pre-occupational therapy, at the University of South Dakota. With a strong academic record, including being valedictorian of her class, Leah is determined to make a positive impact on her community as an occupational therapist, returning to Le Mars to support the physical and mental well-being of those in the agricultural sector and beyond. Her vision for the future of agriculture revolves around advancing safety measures for farmers and providing support for those facing challenges due to accidents or health issues.
Meet ISABELLA BUDDEN, a driven scholarship recipient from MOC-Floyd Valley High School, whose upbringing on her family's livestock operation has fueled her passion for the future of agriculture. Having experienced rsthand the importance of caring for animals, Isabella envisions a future centered around embracing technological advancements, like arti cial intelligence, to improve animal welfare and ensure the well-being of the livestock community. Her goal is to become a veterinarian at Iowa State University, where she aims to make a positive impact on the lives of animals and contribute to the advancement of agricultural practices. Isabella's dedication to the eld of Veterinary Medicine and her vision for a technologically advanced future in agriculture make her a promising advocate for animal health and the agricultural industry.
Farmers Coop Society wants to ensure a strong future for the agriculture industry by supporting the future generations. This year, Farmers Coop Society has awarded eight (8) high school seniors with $1,000-dollar scholarships. Congratulations to our 2023 Scholarship recipients!
Meet AUSTIN OOLMAN, a dedicated scholarship recipient from MOC-Floyd Valley High School with a profound passion for agriculture and education. Austin's vision for the future of agriculture centers around inspiring the next generation. Growing up on his family farm, Austin has witnessed rsthand the hard work and dedication farmers put into supporting their communities. As he attends Northwestern College to pursue a major in Education and Coaching, Austin aims to connect with middle school students and share the signi cance of agriculture with them. Austin believes that education is the key to shaping a vibrant future for farming. As an aspiring teacher, he sees himself passing on the knowledge instilled by his father to hundreds of kids each year. By educating students about the vital role agriculture plays in the world, Austin hopes to inspire a new generation of ag advocates who will support the industry in Iowa.
Meet REAGAN JANSEN, an accomplished graduate from Sioux Center High School, whose deep passion for agriculture drives her aspirations for the future. Reagan plans to attend Augustana University to major in Business Administration or Accounting, with a strong desire to give back to the agriculture industry that has been in uential in her life. As an advocate for agriculture, she envisions highlighting the industry's diverse opportunities beyond farming, supporting vibrant communities, and enriching lives through her career. With an impressive list of accolades in FFA and 4-H, Reagan's leadership and dedication to agriculture positions her as a driving force for positive change in the eld she holds dear.
2024 Scholarship Applications will be available on www.farmerscoopsociety.com in January 2024
Unlock Your Harvest Data's Potential Maximizing Your Harvest Data:
Cody Van Drie
ELITE CROP & INNOVATION LEAD CONSULTANT CCA – 4R-NMS, SSP, RMS, PASP
More and more farmers are finding ways to turn years’ worth of yield data into knowledge they can use to make informed decisions. A few examples of decisions that can be made utilizing yield data are seed variety selection, fertilizer rates, management zone creation, modifying seeding rates, and product trial results.
SEED SELECTION:
The most basic use of yield data is evaluating hybrid and variety performance. Having multiple seed varieties planted on your acres creates diversity and spreads out risk, but if you don’t have a way to evaluate their performance, it can make the seed buying decision for next year a little more difficult. Using your yield data to help determine hybrid and variety performance and pinpointing the environment that best suits them can help make seed decisions easier.
Harvest 2023 is about to come and go quickly. With that comes more yield data, more maps, and if used correctly, a road map to help answer some of next year’s management decision questions.
MANAGEMENT/PERFORMANCE ZONES:
When looking at ways to utilize your yield data in a spatial way to help make many decisions for the following crop season, consider using it to build management zones or performance zones. By breaking your field out into different productivity potential areas, you can then manage those areas separately – to improve input efficiency and ROI. Some common decisions that can be improved with management zones are fertilizer placement and seeding rates.
FERTILIZER PLACEMENT:
Improving your fertilizer placement is an important way to help increase your field’s performance. Running a flat rate application makes applying fertilizer easier; however, you could be overfertilizing some areas and under-fertilizing other areas in your field. No matter how flat and consistent a field lays, you will always find some variability. Variability can be caused by many factors, such as hybrid/variety yield differences, manure application history, in-field yield variances, topography, soil types, and other management differences. Knowing your yield across every 60’x60’ block of your acres and pairing it with soil grid sample results allows you to apply the nutrients back into the soil precisely where needed. When considering yield removals, soil test levels, and bringing in management zones built off historical yield, you can push fertility in high-producing areas and get a good ROI while pulling back and maintaining ROI in your lower-producing field areas.
SEEDING RATES:
Utilizing management zones created from historical yield data is a great place to start when it comes to making VR planting recs. Utilizing seed companies’ population recommendations along with any population trials you have run in the past can help to set seeding rates for different zones. Remembering ROI will help you fine-tune rates for different zones and hybrids.
TRIAL RESULTS:
Remember, you can’t measure anything you don’t record. When trying new products, testing different practices, or changing anything across the field, you can measure response to those changes with yield data. Recording any change will allow you to evaluate those changes and determine if they are worth implementing the following season on a wider scale.
Yield data provides a report card to help you evaluate how you did this year, but it also can provide a road map to guide you for years ahead. FCS’s Elite Crop program is specifically designed to help you turn your yield data into knowledge that can help you make decisions and improve the profitability of your operation. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you utilize your yield data, contact your local FCS agronomist or me, Cody Van Drie, at (712) 348-4064.
to ensure optimal performance
Before harvest begins set aside time to ensure that your combine is eld ready. Make sure the time is far enough in advance so that any broken or missing parts can be ordered and installed before heading to the eld. Utilize this brief checklist when readying your equipment:
Kevin Rozenboom PRECISION AG MANAGER, CCA
Before starting:
☐ Clean your battery connections and inspect cables that are used for the yield monitor components.
☐ Inspect your ow sensor and clean grain elevator. Ensure there is proper clearance between the housing and elevator paddles. Make sure there are no missing paddles.
☐ Inspect grain moisture sensor and motor unit. Clean out the unit and verify the moisture unit’s motor works. Check/replace fuses as necessary.
☐ Check to see if the yield monitor is up to date. Reset or delete old calibrations from previous year(s). Check the monitor’s date and time reading.
☐ GPS – turn on the monitor and con rm that the monitor is getting GPS and speed.
Grain calibration in the field:
☐ Ensure that the header height calibration is complete and working.
☐ Best results are achieved by doing a complete calibration of the harvest system’s moisture and ow sensor. Some systems use one larger load (25,000 lbs+) per crop, while others may use multiple loads (3,000 - 6,000 lbs.) at di erent speeds and ow rates.
☐ Choose an area of the eld with consistency. Do not choose the end rows of a eld to complete a calibration.
☐ Consistent speed in a normal operating range will give you the best results.
☐ Take a representative sample of the calibration load and test the moisture. Adjust the yield monitor’s moisture value.
☐ Use a calibrated weigh wagon or scale to measure the grain weight. Use the same scale for multiple loads in order to properly calibrate weight in the system. If using a grain cart, leave the grain cart parked while completing all calibration loads.
☐ See your yield monitor manual for speci cs for completing and entering the weight results for your combine’s system.
EMBRACING CHANGE:
Navigating Changes in the Hog Industry and Prop 12
Galen Mars SWINE SPECIALIST
As we bid farewell to summer, 2023 has brought remarkable volatility to the hog industry. Hogs have seen price swings of over $65 per animal, paralleled by corn prices moving over $2 per bushel. These shifts, driven by supply and weather dynamics, have fueled rapid changes in basis, setting the stage for signi cant industry transformations.
A pivotal change on the horizon is the implementation of Proposition 12, e ective in California starting in January 2024. This development necessitates swine producers to adapt their operations to adhere to new regulations swiftly. Amidst this landscape, maintaining a rm grasp on cost structures and breakeven points is crucial. Crafting e ective marketing strategies becomes paramount to ensure pro tability in these uid market conditions.
The FCS swine team is committed to aiding producers in these challenges. Our support encompasses
diverse programs, from breakeven analysis and feed budgeting to facility assessments for nurseries and nishes. Our seasoned Swine Team oversees pig management, ensuring comprehensive recordkeeping and facilitating optimal pig ows. Moreover, our expert, Je Koops, leads initiatives in manure management planning and analytics.
As we forge ahead, it's evident that proactive adaptation is key. The FCS swine team stands as your dedicated partner, equipped to guide you through these changes, help you strategize e ectively, and thrive in this evolving landscape.
Jon Milbrodt ESTIMATOR
The Power of Expertise:
Meet Our Esteemed Estimator Team with Decades of Experience
In the dynamic world of construction and project management, one crucial aspect that can make or break a project is accurate estimation. Behind every successful development lies a team of estimators who are masters of their craft. Today, we proudly introduce our Estimator Team, an assembly of seasoned professionals with a wealth of experience. The Estimator Team takes great pride in its adaptability and willingness to embrace the latest technological advancements. By seamlessly integrating cutting-edge estimation tools and software, they stay ahead of the curve and deliver accurate predictions in an ever-changing business landscape.
GUIDANCE FOR YOUR PROJECT'S VISION
Are you hesitant to start your building project, worried about the design and direction? Our Estimating team is here to alleviate your concerns. Drawing on their vast experience, they will expertly guide you through product options, color choices, and pricing, ensuring your project aligns perfectly with your vision.
HOVER: REVOLUTIONIZING ESTIMATION TECHNOLOGY
To further assist our Estimators and our valued customers, the How-to Building Center has invested in Hover technology. With this innovative 3-D modeling software, our estimators can capture eight images with their smartphones, upload these images to Hover, creating an accurate and detailed 3-D model of your project’s exterior. Hover enables our Estimators to swiftly measure square footage, roo ng details, facades, openings, trims, ridges, valleys, rakes, eaves, and ashing with unparalleled precision. Gone are the days of traditional tape measuring, as this cutting-edge technology streamlines the process, allowing more time for our Estimators to collaborate closely with you to understand your unique needs.
DESIGN YOUR DREAM HOME IN REAL-TIME
Sitting down with our skilled Estimators, you can explore a multitude of shingle styles, colors, siding options, and trim styles using the user-friendly design tool application. Witness your dream home come to life from a 3-D perspective as you collaborate with our experts to re ne every detail.
THE FUTURE OF ESTIMATION IS HERE
With our Estimator Team's decades of collective experience and the integration of state-of-the-art technology, the How-To Building Center is at the forefront of the estimation industry. It's our mission to provide unparalleled solutions that turn your building projects into reality, making your dreams a tangible and breathtaking vision. Trust in our knowledge and advanced technology to create the building project of your dreams – visit the How-To Building Center today and let Darren, Adam, or Jon lead you through your next venture.
Darren Kruid is in the Contractor Sales position and has worked at How-to Building Center for over 10 years. He went to NCC for carpentry after graduating from Unity Christian. Darren currently lives in Brunsville and has two daughters. “I appreciate How-to Building Center’s dedication to our customers and the access to cutting edge technology. We are constantly working to improve and integrate new technology.”
Jon Milbrodt joined the How-to Building Center team February of 2023 as an Estimator and Draftsman. He grew up on a farm near Akron and currently lives in Le Mars with his wife, Gina. He has four kids, the youngest of which graduated high school in 2023. “Our Life is starting to slow down, my wife and I are nding time to work on home projects that we had put o because we were running around to high school gyms or ball elds. One of the most attractive things about this job was the opportunity to grow my skill set as a designer and draftsman. I have appreciated the professionalism and the teamwork at How-To Building Center.”
Adam Hoogestraat joined the How-to Building Center team in February of 2023 as an Estimator and Draftsman. He grew up in Rapid City, SD and Moore, OK; “I have 2 kids, Hunter who is 9 years old and Hazel who’s 7 years old, they are my world. I enjoy spending as much time with them as possible. They’re very imaginative so they keep me on my toes with their ideas. I was very excited for the opportunity to bring my knowledge to the How-To Building Center, and I enjoy getting to help customers build their dreams.”
Jon Milbrodt estimator
Darren Kruid contractor sales
Adam Hoogestraat estimator
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Efficiency Meets Innovation at UNION GROVE
We are excited to expand further into southeast South Dakota and continue strengthening our relationships with producers, schools, FFA programs, and communities. – John McDaniel, CEO
MAY
MARCH
Farmers Coop Society’s mission is to be a leader in innovation and excellence. This past year, we made multiple innovative investments in our locations. The most significant investment is building a new greenfield grain facility in South Dakota, Union Grove. This new state-of-the-art location will focus on being high-speed, efficient, and convenient for you.
Union Grove will be able to hold 2,500,000 bushels of soybeans in flat storage and receive those bushels so quickly that customers will be able to scale in, dump, and scale out in under five minutes. To do this, the facility will house a 30,000-bushel-per-hour grain receiving leg and a 1,200-bushel dump pit. It will also be equipped with innovative technology including twin scales and a One Weigh RFID controller, as well as several other features that will allow the location to excel.
Want to learn more about Union Grove? Find
There are big things happening in the grain division at Farmers Coop Society. Our mission is to be a leader in innovation and excellence. Over the past year, our relentless pursuit of efficiency has driven us to initiate significant enhancements at multiple key locations, including Ireton and Ritter.
Streamlining Operations IN IRETON with A NEW CuttingEdge Scale System
At our Ireton location, improvements are being made to the entire scale system. This fall, Ireton will house an inbound and an outbound scale, along with an RFID system. This will drastically decrease wait times and allow you to get back in the field faster.
IRETON NEW OUTBOUND SCALE
Elevating Storage and Receiving Capabilities at Ritter
The Ritter location has undergone a major overhaul. The location will soon feature a 1,000,000-bushel ground piling structure equipped with aeration and base fill functionalities. Beyond these storage enhancements, Ritter will welcome a 20,000-bushelper-hour receiving conveyor and a 1,200-bushel dump pit. These upgrades will redefine the pace and efficiency of our grain handling process.
These are just a few highlights of the improvements coming harvest 2023! As the excitement builds and the countdown to Harvest 2023 begins, we extend a warm invitation to experience firsthand the revolutionary grain facility upgrades that define the future of efficient grain management. See you soon!
You don’t take the field to make the Hall of Fame. Or win the title. You play for something bigger. And for 46 years, our lineup of nitrogen stabilizers has helped farmers like you succeed with the championship results of N-Serve® and Instinct NXTGEN® nitrogen stabilizers powered by Optinyte® technology. See the dramatic difference the true G.O.A.T. can make in your field.
INVEST IN SUCCESS WITH FCS:
Al Clough BEEF SPECIALIST
Cattle & Feed Excellence
When it comes to cattle and feed, there are several compelling reasons to do business with FCS. Our team boasts decades of real-world experience in backgrounding and feedlot production, with many members even owning their own livestock.
Notably, we have expertise in AI and embryo transfer, as well as the nutritional considerations that accompany these processes. Additionally, our team has hands-on experience in starting and growing wet navel calves in dairy replacement heifer and beef steer production settings, which exempli es the extensive knowledge we bring to the farm. Our strength lies not only in our experience but also in our access to several supporting experts, including a PhD in Ruminant Nutrition.
The range of services o ered by FCS's cattle and feed teams begins with feed sampling and ration balancing, encompassing the necessary tracking processes. We also provide walk-through services, providing an extra set of eyes crucial for maintaining herd health. What sets us apart is the
personalized attention we dedicate to handling your questions and cattle, treating them as if they were our own.
Arguably the most compelling reason to do business with FCS's cattle team is our deep understanding of the magnitude and signi cance of your investment. We recognize the substantial resources you invest, from bags, bins, and bunkers full of feed to rows and stacks of bales, as well as the vast acres of crop residue in the eld. Our team takes personal responsibility for ensuring the use of the best and most e cient processes and resources available, safeguarding your investment.
In conclusion, FCS's cattle and feed groups o er unparalleled expertise, extensive services, and a genuine commitment to preserving and maximizing your investment. When you partner with us, you can be con dent that you are working with a team that not only has the knowledge and experience but also cares deeply about the success of your operation.
Lifelong
FSA
FSA
Livestock
Livestock
Crop
HARNESSING THE POWER OF COVER CROPS
Josh Plueger
CONSERVATION AGRONOMIST
CCA, 4RNMS, RMS, SSP
Cover crops have proven to be a valuable tool for farmers, o ering a multitude of bene ts that contribute to sustainable and pro table farming. By learning more about how cover crops can be bene cial, farmers can make informed decisions to optimize their farming operations and build resilience. Fall cover crops play a crucial role in maintaining soil health and optimizing farming operations. There are several bene ts to keeping soil covered in the fall:
Prevents wind and water erosion
Weed and disease control
Positively impacts water quality
Reduces water loss to evaporation
Integrating cover crops into your operation can lead to enhanced soil health, reduced input costs, and better protected soil.
Cover crops demonstrate their resilience in various weather conditions, making them an asset for farmers. They provide e ective soil protection during heavy rains, allowing water to in ltrate the soil and be properly retained, while minimizing erosion. Another bene t of cover crops is that they can increase the water holding capacity of the soil and slow evaporation during drought conditions.
Cover crops can also reduce crop stress early in the season by lowering the soil temps during the middle of the day and keeping the soil warmer during cool nights. This keeps the eld temperature within the optimum growing range longer, promoting faster early season growth.
“We’ve been able to control little early season weeds so well with the use of cover crops, and the soil just seems so mellow when we come in to plant on no-till land.”
–Darrel Nyhof
E ective weed control is a signi cant factor that drives farmers to choose cover crops. Farmers like Darrel Nyhof have observed that cover crops, even those that die over winter, e ectively control early-season weeds, leading to cleaner elds come spring.
Additionally, planting cover crops after removing crops for silage provides an opportunity to establish a healthy cover before frost sets in. This promotes soil health and microbial activity, which aids in promoting nutrient cycling, and ensures that the soil ecosystem remains healthy, requiring less time to revitalize when new crops are planted the following year.
HARNESSING THE POWER OF COVER CROPS
CONTINUED...
Why Choose FCS?
FCS o ers a wide range of products and services to facilitate cover crop planting. It is our belief, as a coop, that we continue to provide our customers with options that they can tailor to their operation as they see t.
Spring barley is a valuable winter kill option because it is smaller, more water-e cient, and suitable for broadcasting and drilling. Spring barley can germinate in soils with higher salt content, which makes it an excellent choice for soils that have high salinity or heavy manure applications. In addition to the individual crop options, FCS o ers radish, clover, and others that can be combined with oats or rye. Our knowledgeable agronomists have years of cover crop experience and can provide the insight you need when nding the right solution for your operation.
Besides carrying a large selection of cover crop seed, FCS o ers diverse methods for seeding cover crops, including Hagie drop seed, aerial application, custom drilling, and broadcast application, providing farmers with the freedom to choose the best seeding method for their operation.
Harnessing the power of cover crops o ers farmers numerous advantages in enhancing soil health, weed control, water conservation, and overall crop productivity. Partnering with a reputable provider like Farmers Coop Society ensures access to a wide range of cover crop options and expert advice for optimized farming operations.
Contact your local FCS agronomist or Josh Plueger at (712) 720-9831 to learn more about which cover crop options are right for your field!
FCS INTERNSHIPS: Where Knowledge Meets Growth!
Internships are an excellent way to enhance your education, it allows you to obtain real world, on the job knowledge. When you intern with Farmers Coop Society you have the chance to learn from industry leaders, including agronomists, precision ag experts, I.T. specialists, office administrators, marketing specialists, and many more! “Throughout this summer, my role as a Grain Origination/ Merchandiser Intern has provided me with invaluable insights into the diverse array of grain contracts within the Grain Commodity Market,” Kolton Eisma, grain intern.
Farmers Coop Society strives to tailor each intern’s experience to their individual interests. Our goal is to support individuals as they are discovering the path they would like to take in their professional lives. This has allowed interns such as Savannah Van Veldhuizen to experience both the agronomy division and marketing department. “The agronomy division has taught me how important it is to invest time with the farmers and get to know their individual needs as well as build a relationship with them. I loved hearing their stories and being able to help them be more efficient, successful and sustainable.
I also gained a tremendous amount of knowledge on the products we use from the agronomy division. Working in this department tied in so well with being able to market our products and business to our customers. I love showcasing what FCS does behind the scenes and believe in the products we promote. It has been a blessing having experience in both departments.”
Deciding which direction you want to go is often a hard process that involves some trial and error. This means that the more experiences you can have, the better. “Throughout the summer, I have been able to do a variety of tasks including scouting fields, spraying plant health trial products, and putting up test plot seed signs. Most importantly, however, I have been able to build relationships with both FCS employees and farmers. Overall, I am grateful for how FCS has helped me gain technical agronomic knowledge and improve my communication skills in a way that will be useful in my future," Brady Van Meeteren, agronomy sales intern. Brady has gotten to experience the benefits of exploring various facets of the industry firsthand.
Savannah Van Veldhuizen
Kolton Eisma
Brady Van Meeteren
When people think of internships, they often think of the day to day tasks, but there is much more to the FCS intern experience. “I have really enjoyed the meetings that I have participated in and the opportunities to meet customers. This has been a great way to build professional relationships!” Carson Madsen, agronomy sales intern. Being able to participate in professional meetings and activities allows for a whole new level of learning. This gives interns the opportunity to learn in a way that a classroom cannot replicate.
While learning soft skills, like professionalism, and learning more about where you see yourself in the future is important, so are hard skills. The individuals involved in the Farmers Coop Society intern program work hard to ensure that all of our
interns leave with hard skills and knowledge. “I have learned a lot about scouting for weeds, insects, and diseases in corn and soybean fields. Along with this I have learned different forms of controlling these pests through cultural and chemical control,” Jessup Leakey, agronomy sales intern. Interns have the opportunity to learn from their team leader as well as industry experts, including various in-field learning sessions hosted by external company reps and agronomists.
Farmers Coop Society will continually strive to provide an internship program that cultivates knowledge and encourages all individuals involved to grow. FCS is proud of our 2023 Intern Class, and we can’t wait to see where the future takes you!
