CDF makes a difference - A first-hand account from Peru

After hearing many passionate speakers over the years who have traveled abroad to witness for themselves, how the Co-operative Development Foundation (CDF) and the Canadian Co-operative Association have impacted so many lives, I always hoped that some day I could be part of that experience.  

Well, I can now say, I have seen first-hand, the value these organizations bring to so many communities worldwide. The first week of November this year, I was invited by CDF to travel to Peru with a team of seven co-operators from various co-ops and credit unions across Canada as part of a study tour focused on its Peruvian ag co-op partner - Cooperativa Agraria Norandino LTDA.

Norandino Co-operative is located in the city of Piura, and is supported by over 90 farmer associations comprised of more than 7,000 coffee, sugar cane, cocoa and fruit producers who reside in very poor regions in northern Peru.

CDF launched the Sustainable Produce Diversification Project with Norandino in 2010 to help farmers gain access to local and international markets to provide sustainable income for their families and communities.

One of many sugarcane crushing and drying sites in region of
 Montera, Peru - located on the slopes of the Andes Mountains.

In a short time, through the many efforts of CDF volunteers, funding and hands-on expertise, Norandino has achieved good success in meeting its main objective of improving the quality of life for small farmers in the area. Farmers are now able to receive a decent income for their crops through increased production capacity and operational efficiencies such as the addition of several village-level sugarcane crushing and drying stations throughout the region, investments in new large-capacity automated production plants in Piura, and a greater demand for their products through international Fair Trade markets.

During our visit, we engaged with the managers and directors of Norandino Co-operative to share ideas and learn more about our different worlds, but the highlight for me was visiting the rural farmers up high in the hills. After a long and bumpy road trip,

Cocoa seed-nusery managed  and operated by 
women and youth from the local community.

our study group stopped at one of the co-operative’s farmer-owned member-associations. Not only did this group of local cocoa farmers show up to greet us, but their wives and children gathered all around with welcoming faces. We were most impressed with their strong member-engagement practices. Everything we talk about how best to engage our members, this group seems to have mastered. In this 94 farmer-member association, not only do the men have strong roles, but 40 women and 25 youth are equally engaged in the production process gathering, fermenting, drying, splitting, fertilizer production and the cultivation and nurturing of their own seedling nursery.

It is the whole community that comes together for one common goal and everyone’s role is equally important. The pride and self-satisfaction one feels just witnessing and listening to them tell their story is not only inspiring but as we drove away and headed down the rugged mountain terrain, many of us felt humbled and privileged to have had the opportunity to meet the wonderful and hard-working people that provide us with the luxury and decadence of their award-winning cocoa.

As Norandino management will tell you: “We are not selling cocoa beans, we are selling the origin.”

Sabino Guerrero, project co-ordinator with Norandino
Co-operative demonstrates harvesting sugarcane
and gives us a sweet sample to try.

Whether it is coffee, cocoa or panela (which is brown sugar produced from sugarcane), the finished product from Norandino Co-operative is superb. To fully appreciate the Norandino brand that is regarded as a premium product all over the world, you just need to sample it! The Norandino brand is known as an elite product and is exported to end-users in Germany, France, and Canada through Fair Trade agreements. La Siembra Co-operative, located in Ottawa, is Norandino’s largest importer of panela in Canada.

Going forward, as always there is still work to be done and CDF is moving into the next phase of the project, but for now, it is clear that CDF has been instrumental in providing the momentum Norandino Co-op needed. They now have a select group of preferred clients, investors and supporters that want to see Norandino succeed and expand further. Now that I have met the people behind the operation, there is no doubt in my mind they will thrive.

Coffee-bean farmer and member-owner of Norandino Co-op
talks about how his yields are far superior to his neighbours
because of the services he receives from his co-operative.

As an employee of GROWMARK,Inc. (also a farmer-owned co-operative) that is a long-time supporter of the Co-operative Development Foundation, I can now better understand how our corporate and employee donations truly improve the livelihood for these farmers, their families and communities. The Norandino project in Peru is just one shining example of so many success stories worldwide.

New research shows Ontario's co-operatives bring in $6 billion for the economy

New research was carried out by the Ontario Co-operative Association (On Co-op), the information hub and trade association for Ontario’s 1,300 co-operatives. It shows the movement is thriving in the province, with the highest number of co-ops working in housing and childcare services. Read more.......

Local 4-H Association awards banquet includes GROWMARK Essay contest recognition!

Erin Byram presents Essay Contest recognition plaque
to Emily MacKay at Listowel Agricultrual Hall on Nov. 3.

As part of the Perth area 4-H Recognition night, grade nine student, Emily MacKay was formally recognized as this year's provincial winner of the GROWMARK (high school) Essay Contest.

Erin Byram, GROWMARK’s Ontario health and safety specialist presented Emily with a recognition plaque and $500 in prize money. Erin also asked the Perth County 4-H Association's representative Jennie Nichol to come up on stage to receive a cheque for $300 to help build future programs for their local association.

Erin presents $300 in prize money for local
 association to Jennie Nichol.

Emily wrote her speech about her grandfather’s dedication to his career as a veterinarian. Unfortunately her grandpa couldn’t attend the event, but her proud parents watched on and video recorded the special moment for him to view later.

To read Emily’s full essay, click here! 

Celebrating both agriculture and co-ops in October!

We are very early into the fall harvest season, but the month of October is already brimming with activities to help us celebrate our co-operative heritage and our agricultural roots.

This week is Agriculture Week in Ontario which leads in nicely to Thanksgiving this weekend. During agriculture week, people are encouraged to visit local farmer markets in their communities. 

The agri-food industry is a significant driver of the province's economy, contributing $34 billion annually, including $12.5 billion in exports, and employing more than 780,000 individuals.

Next week is Co-op week in Canada where more than seven million members of co-operatives throughout Canada will hopefully take part in celebrating and educating others on the significant contributions co-ops bring to the economy and communities in which they thrive. Just this fall, new findings were announced through research done by Measuring the Co-operative Difference Research Network that shows co-ops in Canada contribute more than $50 billion to the Canadian economy and support over 600,000 jobs. 

In the  United States, our colleagues are enjoying the full month of October to celebrate co-op history during Co-op month.

Next week, Ontario GROWMARK employees will take part in a number of fundraising events to provide support for the Co-operative Development Foundation. CDF is a registered charity organization that works with the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) and other partners to undertake co-operative development projects in Canada and around the world.

Employees will have the opportunity to attend a lunch-and-learn session to hear from a CDF volunteer who recently traveled to a developing country to see first-hand the positive impact the Co-operative Development Foundation has made for so many people. 

October is a great time to enjoy the blessings that come with living in this great country, our passion for agriculture and our co-operative heritage. Let's take it all in!

Pride-of-ownership is what counts for farmers-owners of AGRIS Co-op

The phrase “Proudly farmer-owned” was the clear-cut message delivered at last week’s grand opening of AGRIS Co-operative’s newest fertilizer facility in Cottam, ON.

I attended along with approximately 100 farmers, employees, media journalists and directors, all who came out to support the co-operative’s new initiative.

“This new state-of-the art equipment will improve efficiencies tremendously for our farmer-owners, says Larry Pajot, AGRIS Co-operative president.

“Farming has really changed over the years,” says Pajot. He recalls when he started out, most farmers had a four-row planter or maybe six-row if they were modern, and if they did 30 acres a day they were happy, but now farmers have 12 or even 16-row planters and require a lot of crop nutrients and at record speeds.

“Well, this new system is designed for you guys, says Pajot. And even better yet, this is your equipment, owned by you, our farmer-owners.”

The new facility offers increased blending capability to 200 MT per hour, eight times faster than before and the storage capacity to 4500 MT, nine times the previous capacity. This new investment is the largest element of an overall strategy to increase capacity throughout the co-operative’s full trade territory.

GROWMARK, Inc.CEO Jim Spradlin takes time to talk to
 agricultural journalist Simon Crouch of Blackburn News.

The co-operative’s special guest speaker, chief executive officer of GROWMARK, Inc., Jim Spradlin commended AGRIS Co-operative’s board and management teams on their vision, forward-thinking leadership and dedication to their farmer-owners. “In our view, AGRIS Co-operative truly embodies a system initiative that we launched a couple of years ago that we call, “Bringing You What’s Next.”

Spradlin goes on to say, that this new facility is an investment in the future. “It is all about speed, flexibility and quality, but also very much about good stewardship practices in which the GROWMARK System strongly supports.”

Jim Campbell, the co-operative’s general manager said he is very proud of this accomplishment. “When we invest in new initiatives, we know we are investing our farmer-owners’ money and we are cautious about how we spend it. We want to be awfully sure it is invested in their best interests and this new facility ticks all the boxes,” says Campbell.

Ribbon cutting ceremony at new fertilizer facility at AGRIS Co-operative's Cottam site on Sept. 29. From (L-R) back: AGRIS director David Sherman, AGRIS general manager Jim Campbell. FRONT: AGRIS operations manager Adrian VanDyk, AGRIS director and GROWMARK director Kim Fysh, AGRIS directors Paul Repko and John Nooyen, AGRIS Essex area manager Alex Michinski, AGRIS board president Larry Pajot, GROWMARK chief executive officer Jim Spradlin, AGRIS director Pat Vanheule and AGRIS board vice president Jim Anderson.

Congratulations to the employees and farmer-owners of AGRIS Co-operative!

FS celebrates another successful event at this year's Outdoor Farm Show!

For many of you who came out last week to visit us at the FS booth at our new location on 4th lane at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show, I'm sure you will agree that it was a fabulous week to connect with colleagues, customers, family and friends under three days of warm sunny skies.

This was the second year for the Ontario FS System to participate at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock. This year, the show had more than 43,000 people attend and 750 show exhibitors on display. 

If you were not able to attend this year, I hope you will enjoy this photo gallery of special moments at our FS booth. 

Getting started bright and early Monday morning with Juli Paladino, 
Justine Lennox and Terry Stevenson. Also a very special thank you to 
Moe Crickmore, Tony Tennant and Bruce Thomson for their much
 needed help during set up.

Bruce delivers his large banner display structure. 

UPI Energy delivers Dieselex Gold tank 

Allan Williamson promotes the benefits of Dieselex Gold.

Let's talk Great Lakes Grain crop tour results
 with Tyler Sabelli and Chris Snip.

London Free Press interviews Don Kabbes on GLG crop tour results.

A great meeting place!

Some serious colouring going on with FS interactive colouring books.

Saarloos family fun!

Mike Dotterman talks energy. 

Petra Hathaway enjoys time with visitors.

Petra is interviewed by Mary Baxter of Better Farming magazine.

Hmmmm, what should I colour next?

Catching up on old times with Dennis Smith, Ron Feltz and Blair Morrison.

Ed Benjamins stops by to say hi with Juli Paladino, Nicole Weber 
and Bruce Thomson.

Rain gauge interactive fun!

Measuring up. 

FS team gives it a try!

Devin Homick and family pop by to say hi!

Juli Paladino shows guests the Ontario map with more than 75 FS locations.

Great interaction in the FS tent.

Nathan Saarloos and son....Adorable! 

FS team watches on-line media video coverage of GLG crop tour results!
Seen here: Brent Troyer, Petra Hathaway, Mary Bell,  Justin Geelen and Terry Stevenson. 



 Thank you to all who took part....See you all next year!

FS Co-operatives earn Performance Improvement Awards

Five FS member co-operatives, including Ontario's Vineland Growers Co-operative, were recognized by GROWMARK for business performance improvement during the 2015 GROWMARK annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois last week.

For the second year in a row, the co-operative with the highest degree of improvement was Ag-Land FS, Pekin, Illinois. Ranking second was Stephenson Service Company, Freeport, Illinois. In third place was Conserv FS, Inc., Woodstock, Illinois. In fourth place was Vineland Growers Co-operative, Jordan Station, Ontario, and fifth was AGRILAND FS, Inc., Winterset, Iowa. 

GROWMARK measures the improvement in the performance of member co-operatives based on return on invested capital. Over a five-year time frame, each co-operative's return on invested capital improvement is measured in comparison to other co-operatives in the System. From this measurement, the Performance Improvement Award was developed.

Ahead of the curve with youth leadership in Chicago

Caitlyn Rongits, Ontario
youth speaker at GROWMARK 
2015 Annual Meeting 

Eighteen year-old, Caitlyn Rongits of Norwich, Ontario, recently attended the 2015 GROWMARK Annual Meeting in Chicago as this year’s Ontario youth speaker alongside FFA state presidents from Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. These four young leaders spoke to an audience of more than 800 attendees and Caitlyn's speech addressed her views on the importance of agriculture sustainability. 

Caitlyn is a recent graduate of the Ontario Co-operative Association's Co-op Young Leaders Program and was one of three young people from Ontario chosen to take part in the travel opportunity sponsored by GROWMARK. Also travelling to Chicago was 4-H Ontario Ambassador Olivia Bolender of Stouffville and from Alma, executive director of community and international programs for Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario Jen van der Meulen. 

Ontario youth representatives at Grand Ballroom, Hilton Chicago.
From L-R Jen van der Meulen, Caitlyn Rongits and Olivia Bolender.

Caitlyn is a second year student at the University of Guelph studying criminal justice and public policy. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in human resources or law.

In her opening remarks in Chicago, Caitlyn said that the question about sustainability should be an obvious one, stating that, "the focus of every farmer and business should be to create a company or system that is strong enough to last through anything!"  



Each year GROWMARK provides travel opportunities to youth who have shown dedication to leadership development. They travel to Chicago to learn more about GROWMARK and network with business people and other young leaders. 

As part of their experience, they took part in the annual meeting’s grand opening ceremonies with young leaders from Future Farmers of America (FFA) and also had the opportunity to visit the Chicago Board of Trade. 

Young leaders from Ontario and FFA Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa get ready for the Grand Entry of Colours opening ceremonies at GROWMARK's AGM in Chicago on Aug. 28

Ahead of the curve with GROWMARK's 2015 year-end results

Jim Spradlin, CEO 

The GROWMARK System unity, economies of scale, and the relationship at the farm gate are evidenced in the operating results for the 2015 fiscal year, which ended Aug. 31.

Jim Spradlin, chief executive officer, reported unaudited, estimated sales of $8.8 billion (U.S) for FY 2015. Pretax income is estimated at $140 million. An estimated $61 million in patronage refunds will be returned to GROWMARK member co-operatives and farmer-owners.

Energy, agronomy, and retail grain units all achieved business growth and recorded earnings above expectations, while the retail supplies group performance was slowed due to a softening ag economy and plenty of weather-related challenges this summer. 

Spradlin commented, “The GROWMARK System is strong, responsible, focused on the success of our customers -- prepared, and positioned for continued success. I believe the founding farmer-members of our great co-operative System would be proud of our progress. We honour their bold, innovative, courageous, and sustainable co-operative structure by working together to stay ahead of the curve.”

More than 800 people attended the annual meeting held at the Hilton Chicago. To read more detail about reported financials, please go to: www.growmark.com/MediaCenter/Pages/2015%20Annual%20Meeting%20Press%20Kit.aspx

The CYL Advantage - keep it top-of-mind!

Since its beginnings, almost 50 years ago, the Co-operative Young Leaders Program has been an important part of the Ontario agriculture co-operative sector. It has changed and grown in many ways since agriculture co-operatives launched the program in 1967; but today it is still vital that we continue to sponsor kids to CYL.

Last week, GROWMARK was the weekly sponsor for Senior-A session at Lake St. George Field Centre in Richmond Hill. I had the opportunity to participate as a panel judge and listen first-hand to four groups of young presenters give their pitch on an idea for a new co-op business start-up. It is during these brief opportunities that one realizes the impact the program has on these kids. From everyone behind the scenes to the facilitators that volunteer their time, it is apparent this program really matters to all involved.

I was also able to meet a very appreciative young man, who was the first recipient of the Bernie Daly (send a kid to CYL) Memorial fund during my visit.

As founders of the Co-operative Young Leaders Program, we must keep a strong focus on promoting the program in our rural communities, with our boards of directors and employees. 

Remember to sponsor a young person to CYL!  

After their "create-a-co-op" panel presentations, and the last day of their CYL experience, 25 senior CYLers and facilitators took a moment to say thank-you to GROWMARK! 

4-H Perth County youth wins 2015 GROWMARK Essay Contest for Ontario!

Emily MacKay
2015 provincial winner

Grade nine student, Emily MacKay, interviewed her grandfather to learn more about his life as a veterinarian. In doing so, she achieved first place honours in GROWMARK's annual essay contest. At the same time, she discovered her own desire to follow in her grandpa's footsteps and pursue a career as a veterinarian.

This year's contest was themed: "Exploring Careers in Agriculture.” Students were asked specifically to conduct an interview with someone in an agriculture career that is of interest to them.

The contest is offered to high school students who are members of a 4-H Association in Ontario. As contest winner, Emily McKay of Atwood, received a $500 award from GROWMARK and her 4-H Association in Perth County received an additional $300 to help support future programs in her local community.

Two provincial runners-up each received a $125 prize. The runners-up and their 4-H Associations are: Mikayla Ringelberg of Troy (Hamilton-Wentworth County), and Charlene Elliott of Kitchener (Wellington County). 

To learn more about this and other opportunities for youth, visit GROWMARK's youth commitments and 4-H Ontario's scholarships and grants. 

Click here to read the full version of Emily’s essay.

UPI Energy gives generously!

UPI Energy LP’s Invitational Charity Golf Tournament was held earlier this month at Rebel Creek Golf Club in Petersburg, Ontario. 

"We are extremely thankful that the rain held off, which provided great weather for all the golfers and participants. This year we continued to see the enormous support of our employees and fellow associates which resulted in an impressive $36,000 raised. The funds were dispersed with $31,000 donated to Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre and the remaining $5,000 donated to the Bernie Daly Memorial Fund which provides financial assistance so that all youth are able to participate in CYL (Co-operative Young Leaders Program run by the Ontario Co-operative Association).

We would like to thank everyone for their generosity in supporting both of these great causes. Your generosity has gone a long way and you should feel proud in knowing that your donations have significantly changed the lives of many youth in positive ways.

Congratulations to all winners, in particular Craig Kane, Tim Cant, Jack Nunno and Ryan McIntyre who claimed the first place title and trophy.

UPI sincerely thanks each and every one who participated in this tournament. Without your contributions none of this would have been possible. We look forward to seeing all of you at next year's tournament."

Robert McIntosh, UPI Energy president and CEO

(L-R) Robert McIntosh, UPI Energy president and CEO presents a cheque for $5,000 to the Bernie Daly Memorial Fund to Claude Gauthier GROWMARK executive director, Ontario operations.