AGRIS Co-operative returns $786,000 to its farmer-owners

Submitted by Terry Stevenson, AGRIS Co-operative communication manager

An income before tax of $1.7 million for 2011 was reported by AGRIS Co-operative Ltd. board president, Larry Pajot to the co-operative’s shareholders at its annual meeting held at Club Lentinas, in Chatham. Based on these results, Pajot announced that the board of directors has declared a patronage of $375,000 in addition to the $411,000 paid on interest bearing investments.

In his year-end report, Larry Pajot told owners that, “In 2011 AGRIS has been celebrating 90 years of serving its owners. Our owners are technology savvy, aggressive and competitive. With our net income we re-invest a large portion to modernize our operations.” It was also reported that with direction from its owners, AGRIS Co-operative sponsored a new sister co-operative, AGRIS Solar Co-operative. “This is now a standalone company and the largest solar co-operative in Ontario,” Pajot added.

AGRIS Co-operative general manager Jim Campbell reviewed the operational highlights of 2011 for owners. Campbell highlighted that during its first full five years of operation, sales have increased significantly. “More importantly, profitability has been positive during these past five years allowing us to distribute more than $1.5 million in patronage back to our owners,” says Campbell. Retained earnings have nearly doubled to $10.3 million with AGRIS owners investing $8.7 million in the co-operative, an increase of 35 per cent since 2006. “This increased owner investment and retained earnings has allowed the AGRIS board of directors to have aggressive capital spending budgets, increasing our grain storage capacity, custom application capabilities and overall maintain and expand our physical assets,” added Campbell.

The owners of AGRIS Co-operative also acknowledged the service and contributions of Pat Vanheule and Ken Barrette who are leaving the board with a commemorative plaque. The election of five directors for the co-operative was held and re-elected to a three-year term was Kim Fysh from the Thamesville area, Jim Maw from Mooretown, Stan Towers from Glencoe and newly elected was Stan Gillier from Chatham and John Nooyen from Kent Bridge. The board of directors met immediately after the meeting and conducted the election of officers. The following were elected; as president- Larry Pajot, vice-president – Jim Maw and secretary – Paul Repko.

L- R are: Emma Anger, Sarah McDonald and Amy McDonald were all sponsored by AGRIS Co-operative to attend the 2011 Co-operative Young Leaders program last summer. All three youth spoke about their experiences at CYL and the many leadership skills they learned.

To view more photos of the Annual Meeting link to: ttps://picasaweb.google.com/southerncooperativeservices/2012AGRISAnnualMeeting?authkey=Gv1sRgCKW_k5T-7YiecQ&feat=email#

Health & Safety education matters to Ontario FS employees

For the fourth year in a row, Erin Aldred, GROWMARK Health & Safety specialist has held an annual FS Ontario Health and Safety training day. Each year attendance grows and yesterday’s meeting saw the biggest turn out yet with about 30 people in total from North Wellington Co-operative, FS PARTNERS, Huron Bay Co-operative, GROWMARK and AGRIS Co-operative.

The meeting opened up with an exercise in teamwork with Barry Hannah, GROWMARK senior trainer, leading the group through an imaginary Subarctic Survival Situation™, where participants had to work together to figure out the best tools and strategies needed to keep their team alive! The exercise reinforced the need to communicate effectively by listening, participating and keeping focused.

Environmental awareness, precisely in respect to protecting ground water was the topic delivered by Dennis Newman, GROWMARK environmental services manager and Bernie Benoit, with the Agriculture Warehouse Standards Association (AWSA) engaged the group in several interactive mock emergency scenarios such as chemical spills or serious on-site injuries. Participants had to determine what steps to take and in what sequence during an emergency situation. Benoit’s overall key message to the group was the importance of having a good (but simple) plan in place, keeping a cool head and using common sense.

Aldred briefed the group on government legislative changes and introduced upcoming Bill 160, noting that the new bill will have a major impact on how we manage many of our health and safety practices. As well, it is expected that the Ontario Ministry of Labour will be putting a stronger emphasis on health and safety prevention in the future.

Aldred closed the meeting by challenging everyone to keep focused on possible hazards at their branch and home and continue to keep health and safety in the forefront every day.



Erin Aldred, GROWMARK Health & Safety specialist quizzes participants at FS Annual Health & Safety Conference. Jerry VanCasteren of FS PARTNERS receives a prize for answering correctly! 



Monster billboards in place throughout Ontario communities to promote 2012-International Year of Co-operatives

For its first-ever provincial co-operative awareness campaign, the Ontario Co-operative Association has produced a series of billboards across the province highlighting the number of co-ops in Ontario communities. The billboards, are up this month in most areas. They are tailored to the community in which they're located and include messages such as, "Guelph's 45 co-operatives build a better community." The signs all include a QR barcode that, when scanned by a smart phone, provide more information on the province's co-operative movement.

Canadian co-operatives unite to launch International Year of Co-operatives on Jan. 12

Submitted by: Mark Ventry, Co-op Community Manager
The Ontario Co-operative Association

Thousands of co-operative and credit union members across Canada will be taking part in events on Thursday, January 12th to officially launch the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives.

The national launch will take place in Ottawa, while 13 regions across the country, including Guelph, Ontario, will be conducting their own festivities on the same day. Events will also be happening in Europe and elsewhere.

The Ontario launch will take place in Guelph, where event organizer, the Ontario Co-operative Association – the provincial organization which is a key resource for all co-ops and credit unions in Ontario - is located. Celebrations begin at 11:30 a.m. with a public flag-raising ceremony at City Hall, including opening remarks from Guelph Mayor Karen Farbridge, as well as from Guelph MPP Liz Sandals who will be bringing greetings on behalf of the Premier. Planet Bean Coffee, owned by Sumac Community Worker Co-op, will be serving up some hot beverages for attendees.

Leaders and stakeholders from the co-operative movement across the province, along with members of the Guelph Co-op Network and business community, will gather at The Co-operators in downtown Guelph following the flag-raising ceremony, for a networking luncheon that is by special invitation only. Attendees will watch a live webcast from the nation’s capital at 12:30 EST, which will include remarks by Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators, and Monique Leroux, President and CEO of Desjardins and the Honourable Steven Blaney, federal Minister of Veterans Affairs and the MP for Lévis-Bellechasse.

The webcast, which will also include the premiere of a co-operative musical work by the Montreal group Samajam, will be available for public viewing at http://s.coop/canada2012live Co-operatives and others are encouraged to gather in groups to watch the broadcast.