Ninety years of growth celebrated at AGRIS Co-operative AGM

“Celebrating 90 years of farmer-owned innovation” was the theme presented to more than 150 member-owners, supporters and friends of AGRIS Co-operative at its Annual Meeting in Chatham, Ontario earlier this year with Jeff Solberg, CEO of GROWMARK there to pass on his congratulations.

“We are very honoured to have you speak to our group especially knowing that this is the first annual meeting you have attended in your new role as CEO of GROWMARK,” said David Malott, AGRIS Co-operative president.

Solberg told AGRIS Co-operative members that they should be very proud of their accomplishments in reporting solid financial results. “A co-op has to be profitable to be able to grow and provide patronage refunds back to its farmer-owners and AGRIS is doing a great job of maintaining a high level of success.” The co-operative reported annual sales of nearly $50 million for 2010, income of $2.1 million and declared patronage refunds of $500,000 to its members for the second year in a row.

Solberg reiterated the strength of GROWMARK’s commitment to support and serve its members by saying, “GROWMARK values and sees every dollar we handle as a farmer’s dollar.”

During the meeting, AGRIS Co-operative filled four open board positions from a selection of eight strong nominees. “This was a great example of true democracy in action!” says Jim Campbell, AGRIS Co-operative general manager. “Seeing this many candidates come forward confirms that being farmer-owned and having a say in how the business is run means a lot to our members.”

The annual meeting also marked the retirement of the co-operative’s president David Malott from the board of directors, after more than 30 years of involvement with the co-op. Larry Pajot, of Windsor was elected as the new president.

Also attending from corporate GROWMARK was Davis Anderson, vice president grain, Marshall Bohbrink, vice president risk management and treasurer, Joe Kapraun, manager grain marketing division and Eric Smalley, grain business operations director all in support of Great Lakes Grain, a grain partnership between AGRIS Co-operative and GROWMARK.

As part of the 90th anniversary celebration, a tribute to past presidents was recognized, new testimonial banner displays and posters were displayed and a new video production was presented to the audience.

GROWMARK, Inc. Chief Executive Office Jeff Solberg brings greetings from GROWMARK at AGRIS Co-operative’s Annual General Meeting and 90^th anniversary celebration.

National biodiesel bumper sticker campaign launched by CRFA

FS PARTNERS is the first distributer of biofuels across Canada to be involved in the The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association and Grain Farmers of Ontario newly launched biodiesel bumper sticker campaign.

The initiative was announced March 21 in London at GFO annual meeting. The plan is to see that all vehicles fueled with biodiesel will have a bumper sticker that reads “Powered by Biodiesel” to show support for the federal government’s national biodiesel standard and promote awareness of the enviromentally friendlier fuel.

 Tom O'Neill, FS PARTNERS energy sales manager says that FS PARTNERS sees the value in using bumper stickers to spread the word. Almost 1300 school busses throughout Ontario have been labelled with Powered by Biodiesel stickers for the past few years. “We believe it is very important to continue the push for renewable fuels throughout Canada and being involved in the ‘Powered by Biodiesel’ bumper sticker initiative is part of that goal.”

“Farmers here and across the country are clearly enthusiastic about the increased production and promotion of biodiesel. This bumper sticker will let them proudly show their support,” said Canadian Renewable Fuels Association President Gordon Quaiattini in announcing the campaign. “The 2% renewable fuel standard for biodiesel is an investment in our future. It is creating good jobs, helping farmers find new ways to prosper and is helping protect our planet for future generations,”



A recent AgCall survey of active Canadian canola and soybean growers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario showed overwhelming support for the production and promotion of biodiesel in Canada. 87% of respondents supported using Canadian grown canola/soybeans in the production of biodiesel. 81% of respondents supported a federal renewable strategy that would promote the use of canola/soybeans in the production of biodiesel.

“Biodiesel is a great potential growth industry for Ontario’s grain and oilseed farmers, but in order for our 28,000 members to see any benefit, we need to see a biodiesel plant built in Ontario and a two per cent renewable diesel mandate passed,” added Don Kenny, Chair of the Grain Farmers of Ontario. “Our farmers have seen the benefits of the growth of the ethanol industry and they are hopeful for similar success in the biodiesel industry.”





(L) Tom O'Neill of FS PARTNERS with Gordon Quaiattini, president of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association.