GROWMARK Your Ontario Vision

New essay contest for 4-H Ontario high school students starts now!

2012-02-13T12:51:00.000-08:00

As part of the International Year of Co-operatives, GROWMARK Ontario Region wanted to find a way to help educate more young people about co-operative principles and values.

GROWMARK and the FS Co-operatives have launched a new opportunity for 4-H members attending high school. Students accross Ontario can enter an essay-writing competition that will give them more insight into the unique role of co-operatives, a better understanding of current issues in agriculture and help them develop their writing skills.

The essay topic is "Co-operatives in a Global Environment." Postmarked entry deadline is May 15 and essays must be 500 words in length. The provincial winner will receive $500 and the winner’s 4-H Association will earn a $300 award. Four runners-up in Ontario will win $125 each.

Additional program details can be reviewed at http://www.growmark.com/ (click on Our Commitments/Youth & Young Farmers/Essay Contest) or on 4-H Ontario website under youth opportunities/scholarships.

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

2012-01-17T12:10:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-11T08:18:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-06T12:03:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-06T11:14:00.000-08:00

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.

Co-operative Partners Retreat 2011

2011-10-12T13:43:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Dianne Kennedy, UPI Energy manager, corporate events and public relations

The 4th Annual Co-operative Partners Retreat (“CPR”) was held at the beautiful Blue Mountain Resort near Collingwood, Ontario from September 23 to 25, 2011.

CPR is an annual event sponsored by UPI Energy LP and partners of GROWMARK, Inc. and is hosted by UPI Energy, GROWMARK and the local FS Co-operative. This year’s Co-operative host was Huron Bay Co-operative Inc.

CPR provides the Co-operative general managers and senior management with networking opportunities to share results and successes from the previous year and look towards the coming year. The attendees received updates from UPI Energy president & CEO Robert Sicard. From GROWMARK, particpants heard from vice president of Member Services and Retail Dennis Farmer, vice president Agronomy Jim Spradlin and Claude Gauthier, Ontario region manager. Jeff Hurst, general manager of Huron Bay Co-operative presented an overview of the co-operative’s history and current dealings.

UPI presented the Millennium Joint Venture Audit Award to North Wellington Co-operative Services in recognition of excellence in energy marketing and operations. This was the third consecutive year that North Wellington Co-operative received this award, and the fourth time in five years. The co-operative's general manager Kelly Boyle and Allan Williamson, Energy Division manager were on hand to accept the award from Robert Sicard and Tony Silvestro, UPI director, Member Services.

Other FS Co-operatives participating this year were AGRIS Co-operative Ltd., La Co-opérative Agricole d’Embrun Limitée, Lucknow District Co-operative Inc., Co-opérative Régionale de Nipissing Sudbury Limited, Sunderland Co-operative Inc., Thunder Bay Co-operative Farm Supply and Vineland Growers’ Co-operative, Ltd. Also in attendance were representatives from County Farm Centre and FS PARTNERS.

From L-R- Robert Sicard, president & CEO UPI Energy LP, North Wellington Co-operative's Energy Division manager Allan Williamson, general manager Kelly Boyle and Tony Silvestro, UPI Energy director, Member Services.

AALP Class 14 visits GROWMARK Ontario office and distribution centre

2011-10-12T13:16:00.000-07:00

AALP Class 14 at GROWMARK, Kitchener office

“It is an excellent time to be in agriculture, an innovative, growing and diverse sector offering great opportunities for industry leaders like you,” said Frank Campbell, GROWMARK Ontario marketing director as he welcomed the 30 new Advanced Agriculture Leadership Program students to GROWMARK’s Ontario region office in Kitchener. "It is good to see such diversity in the room," says Campbell. "Whether you are involved in agriculture production or pursuing a career in agribuisness, your leadership will help drive the sector forward."

The main reason for the visit to GROWMARK was to get a better understanding of the co-operative model as well as GROWMARK’s leadership in the industry. After hearing from presenters about the co-operative model and GROWMARK’s initiatives in agronomy, energy, grain marketing, youth development and social media, the AALP Class 14 was given a tour of the GROWMARK distribution center. Pat Gallagher, GROWMARK Ontario logistics manager led the group and spoke about the complexity of crop protection and seed logistics, such as, the many regulatory agency compliance requirements and the state-of-the-art safe-storage practices.

Will Heeman, one of the AALP students present, was recognized as a graduate of the Co-operative Young Leaders Program in which GROWMARK supports. In 2007 Heeman was chosen to be the Ontario youth speaker at the GROWMARK’s Annual Meeting.

Pat Gallagher, GROWMARK Ontario logistics manager

gives tour of GROWMARK Ontario distribution centre.

AALP IS DELIVERED BY THE Rural Ontario Institute (ROI). Established in 1984, the program has graduated over 380 leaders who are now making a positive difference across Ontario and beyond. Graduates use their increased skills and knowledge of the entire agri-food system to work with others to lead, direct and manage change within the industry. For more information visit http://www.aalp.on.ca/

Final yield and crop quality report for 2011 Crop Assesment Tour

2011-10-04T11:27:00.000-07:00

By: Don Kabbes, Great Lakes Grain marketing development manager
Dale Cowan, Southern Co-operative Services senior agronomist

Reporting on 30 corn and 31 soybean sites, the Great Lakes Grain 2011 Crop Assesment Tour covered the trading area from Essex County to Simcoe County. On Sept 6, two smaller tours took place prior to the entire team meeting for the main two day event on September 7 and 8.

The average corn yield in the co-operative trading area came in at 159 bushels per acre. May planted corn was estimated at 169 bushels based on plant populations of 30,807, June planted corn was estimated at 146 bushels per acre based on 28,605 plants per acre on average. As reported in the preliminary issue the two main factors affecting yields the most from observations were plant population and Nitrogen deficiencies.

At approximately 5.3 bushels per 1000 plants the June planted populations have given up 12 bushels of corn yield to May planted corn. Western Bean Cutworm damage was most pronounced in the Bothwell area, however Smartstax and Herculex traited corn limited the damage. The affected cobs however may have been prone to ear mold infection.

All fields showed Nitrogen deficiency to various degrees. We encourage you to check your own fields to obtain plant harvest populations, observe N deficiency, ear molds and to check on stalk quality to determine standability. At the time of the tour stalk quality was quite good. However as grain fill continues and the cob dominates the sugar demand, cooler nights and shortening hours of sunshine, stalks may have weaken significantly from early September. Determining which fields should be prioritized for harvest will help to conserve yield and maintain combine efficiencies.
The main deviation from estimated yield to actual will be due to the extent and the number of areas challenged by drainage.

The two sites of Oakwald are interesting to note from the Ayr location of FS PARTNERS. It is the site of the Max Yield Plots (field scale). The main difference is an aggressive fertilizer build program as soil fertility is very low and the application of a fungicide. Between those two treatments we estimated a 63.2 bushel / acre yield increase over the farmer’s standard practice this is a highly responsive site.

The soybeans are coming in at 44.8 bushel per acre average. With a more diligent effort to count only beans filling the pod cavity we may have underestimated soybean yields slightly. There were a significant number of pods on the upper most nodes that were yet to be filled or aborted. If they fill before harvest there will be many fields in the upper 40 and low to mid 50 bushel per acre range. The final ten bushels will be weather driven.

Most noticeable was the onset of leaf diseases. Septoria Brown spot was higher up on the canopy due to rain splash in August. In August of 2010 the trading areas had less than 10 mm of rain this August we are well in excess of 100 mm. Rain in August makes soybeans! It also brings on plant disease. Bacterial Blight was evident and Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) was easy to find in most fields in the southwest. Soybean Cyst Nematode was also noted. All of these disease point to too high of frequency of soybeans in the rotation.

Soybeans in seven inch rows continue to be the most variable in plant populations and the most difficult to estimate yield. Row spacing of 15 inch offered similar yield and the opportunity to lower plant populations by approximately 30,000 seeds per acre or 14 per cent reduction in seeding costs. Overall it appears the trend in 2011 was to reduce seeding rates.

Again the two sites of Oakwald are interesting to note from the Ayr location of FS PARTNERS. It is the site of their Max Yield Plots (field scale). The main difference is an aggressive fertilizer build program as soil fertility is very low and the application of a fungicide. Between those two treatments we estimated a 9 bushel / acre yield increase over the farmer’s standard practice.

We wish to thank the co-operators who allowed us onto their farms, without them this tour would not be possible. This affords us an opportunity to sharpen our skills as crop specialist in a field classroom. There is no better way to learn than being in the field. We do not do this tour alone, the generous support from DEKALB who were our single sponsor in 2011 and valued supply chain partner allowed us to do this in a first class way.

This tour along with many hours of training throughout the year from GROWMARK and supply chain partners allows us to become better agronomists so we in turn can help you reach your goals and objectives of being better farmers.

Visit http://http://www.agris.coop/ or http://www.greatlakesgrain.com/ or http://www.fspartners.ca/ for more information.

Cochrane area residents made FAST STOP their first stop at succesful grand opening

2011-09-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

Almost 10,000 litres of fuel pumped and 200 donuts consumed during the FAST STOP service centre’s grand opening celebration on Wed. Sept. 21 in beautiful northern Cochrane Ontario.

An official ribbon cutting ceremony kicked off with support from the Mayor of Cochrane Peter Politis, MPP Ramsay’s constituency assistant for the Cochrane District, Paul Latondress and Keven Robin, president of the Cochrane Board of Trade stopped by to say a few words as well as representatives of the station from FS PARTNERS and Co-opérative Régionale de Nipissing Sudbury.

After the ceremony, customers filled up their tanks at reduced prices from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a portion of the sales donated to the local Tim Horton Events Centre.

Mario and Mariel Vachon are the owners of the FAST STOP site and long time residents of Cochrane. They were very pleased with the support they received by the community and thrilled to see the long line ups of people that came out to fill up at the reduced prices. “We are very happy with the new FAST STOP branding and the overall look of the station and look forward to working with the FS team. Also, being open 24 hours non-stop along with our convenient location and many amenities, we feel the station is very handy for both local residents and for truckers travelling long distances in northern Ontario,” says Mario Vachon.

Designed for people on the run, customers can purchase fuel 24 hours a day, seven days a week paying with VISA, MasterCard, Interac, and FS Fuel cards. The FS Fuel card allows consumers to be part of a large network of fueling sites across Ontario offering 24-hour convenience with just one card. The Cochrane FAST STOP station offers clear diesel fuel and environmentally friendlier ethanol blended gasolines. The site also features a full-service restaurant, convenient store, laundry facilities, a comfortable lounge area and personal showers.

This station is part of network of more than 250 FAST STOP branded stations in the United States and now the third in Ontario. Through the Ontario FS Co-operative System, FS PARTNERS and Co-opérative Régionale de Nipissing Sudbury have worked together to provide the newly branded FAST STOP station to the Cochrane area community.

From (L-R) Emile Faddoul, FS PARTNERS energy logistics manager; Paul Lantondress representing MPP Cochrane-Temiskaming (David Ramsey); Keven Robin, president Cochrane Board of Trade, Raymond Savage, general manager Co-operative Regionale de Nipissing Sudbury, Terry Vachon, Cochrane development officer; Mayor of Cochrane, Peter Politis; FAST STOP owners Mariel and Ginette Vachon, Jen and Mario Vachon and their two children, Andrew Troyer, FS PARTNERS sales and marketing manager.

Bigger is better when it comes to grain bins

2011-09-16T08:18:00.001-07:00

Mayor Dennis Travale, thanked the Great Lakes Grain and FS PARTNERS team for making Norfolk County “the home to the largest steel grain bin in Ontario” when he spoke to approximately 200 farmers and guests at an open house event in Delhi on Sept 14.

Construction of the newly enhanced grain facility began in May of this year and was completed in September. It can store up to 735,000 bushels or 20,000 metric tons of grain, making it the largest storage capacity for Ontario.

“The intake improvements and new bin is going to dramatically reduce delivery times in harvest season for our farmers,” says Don Kabbes, marketing development manager for Great Lakes Grain. “The reduced congestion and our faster intake speed will allow them to quickly get back on their combines to continue their harvest.”

During a demonstration of the faster intake system at the open house, Devin Homick, Great Lakes Grain Delhi area grain originator, pointed out how the enhancements will move drivers in and out of the facility in half the time. A simple change in driveway access along with additional staging areas for probing, significantly speeds up traffic flow reducing congestion at peak times. Intake time is twice as fast resulting in approximately 44 tonnes of grain dumped in five minutes or nine tonnes per minute.

“This is all part of a three year expansion project with more storage and drying capabilities planned for Delhi and Straffordville in 2012 and 2013,” says Alex Elliott, Great Lakes Grain general manager. Elliott spoke about the power of working together, being farmer owned and making every dollar count for the betterment of the farmer.

Ribbon cutting ceremony -Sept. 14-Delhi
(L-R) Alex Elliott, Great Lakes Grain general manager; Dennis Travale, mayor of Norfolk County; Kim Fysh, GROWMARK director and AGRIS Co-operative director; Ed Benjamins, FS PARTNERS Board of Directors Chair; Don Kabbes, Great Lakes Grain market development manager and Devin Homick, Geat Lakes Grain Delhi area grain originator.

Local youth attend GROWMARK's Annual Meeting

2011-09-16T07:30:00.001-07:00

Ed Sauve of Woodslee, Ontario, recently attended the 2011 GROWMARK, Inc. Annual Meeting in Chicago as this year’s youth speaker where he spoke in front of more than 1000 attendees about his views on co-operative leadership. Sauve was one of three young people chosen to take part in the travel opportunity sponsored by GROWMARK.

Also travelling to Chicago was Alissa Goodfellow of Napanee, a 2011 4-H Ontario Ambassador and Sarah McLaren of Courtice, representing Junior Farmers Association of Ontario.

Ed Sauve is a graduate and now a volunteer facilitator at the Ontario Co-operative Association’s Co-operative Young Leaders summer camp program. In his closing remarks in Chicago, Sauve commented on the need to promote co-operatives more than ever especially with 2012 being named by the United Nations as the International Year of Co-operatives.

Ed Sauve was sponsored to attend CYL camp by AGRIS Co-operative based out of Chatham. Attending camp gives young people like Sauve the opportunity to learn about co-operatives and build strong leadership skills through their roles as a facilitator or camp participant.

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 (FFA) also known as Future Farmers of America and had the opportunity to visit the Chicago Board of Trade.

Twelve young represenatatives from FFA and Ontario's Co-op Young Leaders Program, 4-H Ontario
and Junior Farmers' Association of Ontario took part in the
Colour of Flags opening ceremony at GROWMARK's 2011 Annual Meeting in Chicago in August.

GROWMARK Board of Directors update

2011-09-16T07:24:00.001-07:00

Kim Fysh, Thamesville, Ont., was elected to the GROWMARK board of directors at the regional cooperative’s annual meeting in Chicago.

Fysh will serve a three-year term and represent Zone F on the board. He and his wife Merry operate an 1,100-acre grain and vegetable farm with his brother. Fysh currently serves on the board of AGRIS Co-operative.

Ed Benjamins, Moorefield, Ont., has retired from the GROWMARK Board of Directors. He was commended for his years of service at the organization’s 2011 annual meeting in Chicago.

He and his wife Gina operate a chicken farm, and farm 1,000 acres with a son-in-law and operate a trucking company. Benjamins was elected to the GROWMARK board in 2005. He is involved with several cooperative organizations and is chair of the FS PARTNERS board of directors.

Five of the 16 director seats, established by geographic zone, were up for election this year. GROWMARK has six established governance zones which cover all of North America. In addition, one director-at-large represents Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin Farm Bureaus. GROWMARK is affiliated with Farm Bureau in those states.

GROWMARK reports estimated year-end financial results

2011-09-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

On Aug. 26 in Chicago, GROWMARK officials reported unaudited, estimated results for the fiscal year that ended August 31, 2011. Jeff Solberg, chief executive officer, announced estimated sales of $8.4 billion for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. GROWMARK net income is estimated to be $182 million.

“2011 was a great year for the GROWMARK System,” Solberg said. “The company generated the highest level of sales and the second highest level of pretax income in company history.”

“These results are attributed to a very strong group of member companies committed to a highly successful cooperative system, supported and served by a great team of very knowledgeable and dedicated employees,” he said.

An estimated $80 million in patronage refunds will be returned to GROWMARK member cooperatives and farmer-owners.

FS PARTNERS takes QR code technology to the field

2011-08-29T14:12:00.000-07:00

Stefan Dewaele, FS PARTNERS crop specialist at
Pursuit of Maximum Yield site.

“QR” stands for “Quick Response,” and that is exactly what FS PARTNERS is providing customers who are eager to access up-to-date information about this year’s Pursuit of Maximum Yield corn and soybean plots.

This is the second year that FS PARTNERS has run the Pursuit of Maximum Yield project. Last year’s program included on-site presentation at five different fields, attended by more than 160 producers.

This year, FS PARTNERS took the communication and marketing of this event to a new level by using QR codes to keep farmers current with stats and analysis of the fields represented in the program throughout the growing season.

“The Maximum Yield Plots are designed to showcase corn and soybean trials, and farmers like to stay updated about what’s going on all season,” said Andrew Troyer, FS PARTNERS sales and marketing manager.

Posted at each Pursuit of Maximum Yield site is a large QR code that can be easily seen from a distance. Anyone passing by can learn more about FS PARTNERS by simply taking a picture of the code with their smart phone, which will display real-time information on the crop, variety, applications, and conditions, as well as audio tailored to each site. At FS PARTNERS plots in Ayr, Delhi, Drayton and Elmvale, Ont., information is available and regularly updated.

“We know these codes have a great deal of potential, and we are just at the tip of the iceberg,” Troyer said. “Anywhere someone can use a smart phone, whether at our fuel stations or our corn fields, we plan to have QR codes.”

Juli Paladino, FS PARTNERS retail energy administrator, worked with Troyer to implement the QR codes into the Pursuit of Maximum Yield plot program. She created the behind-the-scenes information to be viewer-friendly on a small screen.

“Today, many farmers are technology savvy and are seeking out new ways to communicate through social media,” Paladino said. “Smart phone technology makes it easy for them to use those tools while out in the field, and we wanted to reach out in a way that makes them want to listen.”

Safety at its best at North Wellington Co-op

2011-08-29T13:51:00.000-07:00

Many staff members of North Wellington Co-operative Services walked with a cautious foot on August 18, as they approached the milestone of reaching 1000 days without any lost time from work related accidents.

This achievement comes thanks to the efforts of the members of the co-operative's Joint Health and Safety Committee to ensure that everyone remains focused on the importance of keeping employees safe at work.

Employees enjoy celebratory cake in honour of achieving 1000 days of accident-free success with (L) John Eccles, North Wellington Co-op director and Kelly Boyle, general manager.

4-H Ambassadors tour FS System

2011-08-24T11:11:00.000-07:00

In rain and shine, 4-H Ontario Ambassadors took part in a one-day tour to learn more about their sponsors, GROWMARK, Inc, the FS Co-operatives, and UPI Energy LP.

The one-day tour consisted of a visit to UPI Energy’s bulk fuel plant in Guelph, an FS PARTNERS agronomy and Great Lakes Grain facility in Ayr, North Wellington Co-operative’s unique retail store and lawn and garden centre, a demonstration field plot called Pursuit of Maximum Yield and a 24 hour remotely monitored cardlock FAST STOP® fueling station.

This is the seventh year of the program sponsored each year by GROWMARK, Inc., and UPI Energy LP.

(Right) The group learn about the complex operations of UPI Energy from Bob Hodgson, manager of operations for southwestern Ontario.

(Below) The 2011 Ambassadors admire baby chicks for sale at the North Wellington Co-operative Services retail store and lawn and garden centre. From L-R is Ambassadors Alex Mitchell of Pembroke, Alissa Goodfellow of Napanee, Cassandra Chornoboy of Rockwood, Sylvia Megens of Goodwood and Jennifer Betzner of Lynden.

(Right) At the FS Green Plan Solutions™ Pursuit of Maximum Yield site in Drayton, Don McLean, FS PARTNERS agronomist demonstrates new QR code technology at the plot.

(Below) Kevin Stumpf, FS PARTNERS branch manager gives an overview of the grain and agronomy business at the Ayr site.

Final stop of the day was a quick visit at the FAST STOP remotely monitored self-serve gas station in Alma.

Ambassadors promote 4-H in Ontario provincially, regionally, locally and at some national events. During their reign they have and will continue to receive training in several areas, such as interview skills, public relations, communication, writing reports and press releases, public speaking, using visual aids, agricultural and 4-H awareness and etiquette. They will also be able to take advantage of the many networking opportunities and exposure to new experiences.

The Ambassadors will also attend UPI Energy’s annual meeting next month called Rendezvous and participate as flag bearers during the opening ceremonies.

Syngenta gives crop tour at its Plattsville Research Farm

2011-08-23T13:38:00.000-07:00

Strobe-light demonstrations showing spray-nozzle efficiencies along with information sessions on herbicides, seed science and fungicides was all part of the knowledge shared with FS crop specialists visiting Syngenta’s Research Farm just outside of Plattsville this summer.

Travelling by tractor-pulled bleachers, participants were chauffeured through a one-hundred acre field of test plots including corn, wheat and soybeans. Different speakers along the way provided insight into what had gone into each plot and demonstrated the advantage of incorporating an integrated cropping system using layered technology to improve yields.

Interaction in the fields at FS Forage Launch

2011-07-12T13:44:00.000-07:00

Detecting potato leafhopper at the test plots in Mitchell was just one of the many exercises and topics discussed at this year’s annual FS Green Plan Solutions™ Forage Launch.

Several Ontario FS crop specialists from across the Ontario FS System gathered at the Mitchell Community Center to hear from speakers covering timely topics such as forage fertility, the new WL Alfalfa line up of quality guaranteed seed varieties and hear about the most common pest problems and solutions this year.

Huron Bay Co-operative FS Crop Specialists John Verhoeve (L) and Jim Peeters (R) inspect for Potato Leafhopper at Mitchell test plot at recent FS Ontario Forage Launch.

After the formal sessions of the launch, the group headed to the FS PARTNERS Mitchell test plot where Bill Brown, GROWMARK Ontario field agronomist, Dave Gentry, GROWMARK product manager –forage and turf-grass, Mike Peterson of WL Research and Don McLean agronomist with FS PARTNERS followed up with some hands-on scouting techniques and seed variety identification.
Each crop specialist received a new 140-page, 2012 Forage Seed Guide to take with them as a reference tool.

Joint golf tournament raises more money for Ontario charities

2011-07-11T13:43:00.000-07:00

UPI Energy LP and CASE ‘N DRUM OIL LP held their first Annual Invitational Charity Golf tournament together to make an already big event even better by raising more money for three deserving charities.

Together along with almost 50 proud sponsors and more than 120 dedicated golfers that showed up to support the day, $30,000 was raised providing $10,000 each to Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre, the London Regional Cancer Program and The Children’s Health Foundation.

UPI Energy has held an annual charity golf tournament for the past 11 years and has raised over $190,000 for various charities.

(L-R) Recieving $10,000 for the Children’s Health Foundation is Jill Osborne, Robert Sicard, UPI Energy LP and Suzanne Newington of CASE ’N DRUM OIL LP.

FS crop specialists Dave VanCasteren and Brent Troyer earn CCS credentials

2011-05-31T11:41:00.001-07:00

Brent Troyer, FS Crop Specialist with North Wellington Co-operative Services in Harriston (R) and Dave VanCasteren, FS Crop Specialist with FS PARTNERS in Alliston both successfully completed the requirements necessary to hold credentials as Certified Crop Specialists (CCS) in the FS System. This prestigious achievement is the next level up in their extensive agricultural training. Both gentlemen already hold the designation of a certified crop advisor in Ontario.

The Certified Crop Specialist accreditation recognizes crop advisors for their production expertise, says Frank Campbell, GROWMARK Ontario marketing director. “These credentials prove a CCS’s ability to put his or her training to work in finding solutions that help producers optimize agronomic results, economic return and environmental stewardship.”

To earn the original title of Certified Crop Specialist, candidates are required to successfully complete a series of comprehensive written and verbal exams designed to establish base standards of knowledge on the topics of nutrient management practices, integrated pest management, soil erosion and water quality. Among the skill sets assessed are technical knowledge; the ability to discover, identify and analyze yield-limiting factors from a grower’s field records; identify common pest problems and recommend economic treatment measures; discuss and analyze the economic aspects of crop production; and understand the need-identification process.

The GROWMARK CCS program has been in existence for 25 years as a way to offer exemplary FS sales staff the opportunity to excel and receive recognition for achieving the highest level of excellence in sales ability, technical knowledge and outstanding customer service.

Enviromental Leadership honour for AGRIS Co-op

2011-04-12T12:58:00.000-07:00

On March 31, AGRIS Co-operative was awarded with Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious “Environmental Leadership Award,” which was presented during the Chambers 123rd Annual Business Excellence Awards Banquet. The award was handed out at a gala event held at Club Lentina’s in Chatham. Board president Larry Pajot and general manager Jim Campbell accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

L-R Gail Antaya - President and Chief Executive Officer - Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, Jim Campbell - AGRIS Co-operative General Manager, Larry Pajot - AGRIS Co-operative Board President, Sarah Smith - Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce Administrative Assistant.

Ontario FS directors attend Summit

2011-04-12T12:56:00.000-07:00

For the fifth year in a row, Ontario FS System directors got together to share information and gain more knowledge about the director's role, responsibilities and capabilities within the co-operative organization.

The three-day FS Director Summit was held at Blue Mountain Resort and Conference Centre and was attended by 90 people. The event itself and some of the specific training counted towards director certification credits.

Dan Kelley GROWMARK chairman of the board and president, Dennis Farmer senior vice president, Member Services & Retail, Jim Spradlin vice president Agronomy and Matt Hynes manager, Agronomy Marketing & Agronomic Services spoke on a variety of topics. There was also a youth component with Kerr Smith from the Ontario Co-operative Association and Sylvia Megans, 2011 4-H Ontario Ambassador spoke about the importance of supporting youth leadership programs. Chuck Spencer Director Government Affairs closed the program with an interesting presentation on American politics.

Dan Kelley, GROWMARK Chairman of the Board and President speaks to the group about GROWMARK’s strategic direction. Dennis Farmer, senior vice president Member Services & Retail (far right).

UPI Energy celebrates 20 years of success

2011-04-12T12:55:00.000-07:00

In March UPI Energy LP proudly announced its 20th anniversary. Since 1991, UPI has provided quality petroleum, propane, and lubricant products and services to customers across rural Ontario. On an annual basis, UPI markets more than half a billion litres of petroleum, propane, lubricants and energy related services province-wide.

UPI’s 20 year history and timeline of success:

Early 90’s: UPI was renowned for pioneering province wide-marketing of Ethanol-blended gasolines.

2001: UPI opened its first EnviroStation™, a modern, cost effective, above ground storage and dispensing retail gasoline outlet.

2003: UPI became the first in Ontario to retail biodiesel to the agricultural community with the introduction of DIESEL3000™.

2004: UPI expanded its lubricant operations with the acquisition of CASE ’N DRUM OIL Corporation™. Later that same year, the company grew with the acquisition of Damar Fuels, an independent petroleum business which operated in Elmira.

2007 was the launch of E85, a blend of up to 85% ethanol for use in Flex Fuel vehicles. UPI Energy LP’s petroleum, gas bar and cardlock network experienced further expansion with the addition of Ed Taylor Fuels in Cambridge, in 2007, and most recently in June 2010, with Sylvite Fuels & Lubricants in Putnam and Beselaere Fuels & Lubricants in Delhi.

Most recently, Robert Sicard, UPI Energy President and CEO was elected to the Canadian Propane Association’s board of directors.

“Green Plan Solutions™.....Maximizing Every Acre”-this year’s theme at Ontario PROTRACK Agronomy Conference

2011-04-12T12:53:00.000-07:00

It may be the best conference yet, was a recurring comment seen on participants’ evaluation forms who attended GROWMARK Ontario region’s Agronomy Conference held at Hockley Valley Resort in Orangeville.

“ Let’s plant some seeds!” stated Frank Campbell, GROWMARK Ontario marketing director who opened the three-day program with a challenge to all participants to use the conference as a way to plant new ideas in their minds to take back and apply to their businesses and help customers maximize every acre through achieving bigger yields and improved profitability. The conference opened with the launch and positioning of Green Plan Solutions and the importance for members to promote this shared brand collectively.

The line up of speakers included conference co-ordinator and emcee Bill Brown, GROWMARK Ontario field sales agronomist, Dr. Peter Sikkema Ph. D M.Sc. B.Sc (Agr) from the University of Guelph who covered the topics of Glyphosate resistant Giant Ragweed and weed management in soybeans, Dale Cowan Southern Co-operative Services senior agronomist spoke on agronomic fertility solutions, Don McLean, FS PARTNERS/North Wellington Co-operative agronomist and Sean Dunnett, FS PARTNERS seed specialist reported on the Pursuit of Maximum Yield program and Don Kabbes of Great Lakes Grain talked about grain marketing strategies.

Attending from GROWMARK were Dave Gentry, forage/turf retail product manager, who spoke about seed partners and treatments, Kevin Black, insect & plant disease technical manager covered weed and insect identification, Barry Nash, weed science technical manager talked modes of action with herbicides and Joe Dillier, director plant food gave some insight into what is happening around the world in respect to fertilizers.

The final day focused on communication and social media with a session from Andrew Campbell who is owner of Fresh Air Media. “It is not a question as to whether you should use social media to promote your business, but rather how and what tools you should use in your social media strategies,” was Campbell’s key message to his audience.

Terry Stevenson, Southern Co-operative Services communication manager and Janice Johnson, GROWMARK Ontario marketing and communication specialist followed with a session on communicating with customers and provided examples of various website and electronic communication tools that can be adopted easily.

The closing session was given by, Barry Hannah, GROWMARK senior trainer who tied it all the together with his presentation on utilizing all tools to Maximize Every Acre.

The conference was generously sponsored by BASF, Bayer CropScience, DuPont, Monsanto, PRIDE Seeds and Syngenta. Representatives from each sponsor presented new product information and technical advice.

Certified Crop Advisors received 11 certified education units for attending the conference.

Brian Colville, Sunderland Co-operative crop sales & service specialist asks a question to one of the speakers presenting at the Agronomy Conference. Bill Brown, GROWMARK Ontario field sales agronomist (holding microphone). Kimberly Callaghan, Sunderland Co-op crop sales & services specialist listens.

Meet this year's 4-H Ontario Ambassador team

2011-04-12T11:28:00.001-07:00

Having successfully passed through interviews by a panel of three judges five new ambassadors were selected as to represent 4-H Ontario across the province for the year.

The 2011 Ambassadors are: Jennifer Betzner (Lynden), Cassandra Chornoboy (Rockwood), Alissa Goodfellow (Napanee), Sylvia Megens (Goodwood), and Alex Mitchell (Pembroke).

This is the seventh year of the program and it has been sponsored each year by and GROWMARK, Inc., and UPI Energy LP.

Ambassadors will work to promote 4-H in Ontario provincially, regionally, locally and at some national events. During their reign they have and will continue to receive training in several areas, such as interview skills, public relations and communication.

We encourage FS member co-operatives to invite an ambassador to your local functions to take part in your activities and speak to your audiences about the importance of supporting 4-H. Contact Janice Johnson, at the GROWMARK Ontario office at 519-895-4286 if you want to book an ambassador.

4-H has come up with more innovative ways to promote the program. You can view a testimonial video from Valerie Stone, 2010 Ambassador posted at http://www.youtube.com/user/4HOntario and read more about the program at http://www.4-hontario.ca/youth/opportunities/youth-positions/default.aspx

(L-R) Dianne Kennedy-UPI Energy LP, 4-H Ambassadors Sylvia Megens, Jennifer Betzner, Alex Mitchell, Cassandra Chornoboy and Alissa Goodfellow of Napanee, Barry Hannah-GROWMARK, Inc.

Ninety years of growth celebrated at AGRIS Co-operative AGM

2011-03-25T10:14:00.001-07:00

“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

2011-03-10T11:55:00.000-08:00

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.

Announcing Frank Barron FS PARTNERS Division Manager

2010-11-09T08:52:00.000-08:00

Frank Barron has been named the Division Manager of FS PARTNERS, a division of GROWMARK Inc., effective November 1, 2010.

Frank brings a wealth of experience to his new leadership role with FS PARTNERS. He was employed 11 years by Hudson Bay Company. Through its management development program, he worked his way up to managing all facets of large retail stores. In 1991, he entered the co-operative system as consumer manager for United Co-operatives of Ontario; and the following year, he joined Simcoe District Co-operative Services, serving as chief operating office/director of sales and marketing. In 2005, Frank joined the staff of FS PARTNERS, where he served as area manager. Additionally in 2008, Frank was awarded a master of business administration degree from the University of Guelph.

Frank and his wife Susanne reside in Coldwater, Ont., and are the proud parents of Brittany and Aynsley, both college students.

GROWMARK announces new Chief Executive Officer

2010-11-05T09:36:00.001-07:00

The GROWMARK, Inc. Board of Directors announced this week that Jeff Solberg has been named CEO of GROWMARK effective Jan. 3, 2011. Solberg will follow current CEO Bill Davisson, who has announced his retirement for the same date.

Jeff Solberg is a 1974 business administration graduate of Illinois Wesleyan and received a master's of business administration degree from the University of Illinois in 1976. He has held the positions of financial analyst, cash manager, assistant treasurer, treasurer, vice president of finance, and senior vice president of finance for GROWMARK. Solberg is past president and chairman of the Institute for Cooperative Finance Officers, served on the board of directors for Citizens Savings Bank, and is a 2010 inductee into the Bloomington (Ill.) High School District 87 Hall of Fame.

GROWMARK is a $6 billion organization experiencing a period of significant growth. Selecting a chief executive is among the most important and impactful actions we are charged with taking, says Dan Kelley, chairman of the board and president. “Jeff has the skills, knowledge, experience and support to lead GROWMARK successfully into the future. The Board of Directors has great confidence in him and in the depth of talented employees throughout the GROWMARK System.”

To watch a video of Dan Kelley, GROWMARK Chairman of the Board and President speaking with GROWMARK CEO-Elect Jeff Solberg, click on http://bit.ly/c5BRJl

First FAST STOP gas station opens in Ontario

2010-11-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

Just under 6,000 litres were pumped into the gas tanks of more than 100 vehicles that lined up to take advantage of the opportunity to get gas at a lower price and celebrate the opening of the first FAST STOP® fueling station in Canada in Welland, Ontario on Oct. 29.

An official ribbon cutting ceremony took place at 2:30 p.m. and a $1,500 donation to the Welland Hospital Foundation was made during the opening ceremonies through equal contributions from

FS PARTNERS, UPI Energy LP and Melna’s Service Centre. Local, federal and provincial government leaders showed support by coming out to say a few words and congratulate Nick Melna of Melna’s Service Centre on his new FAST STOP fueling station. After the ribbon was cut, gas prices were reduced for three hours.

“Not only did we have a great deal on gas, but customers also knew that a portion of the day’s sales were being donated to the Welland Hospital Foundation, so there was even more incentive for people to come out and fill up their tanks,” says Andrew Troyer, director of Energy for FS PARTNERS.

Designed for people on the run, the remotely-monitored fueling station was developed and implemented in 2007 by FS PARTNERS, a division of GROWMARK. Consumers can purchase fuel 24 hours a day, seven days a week paying with VISA, MasterCard, Interac, and FS Fuel cards. The FS Fuel card allows consumers to be part of a network of FS branded fueling sites across Ontario offering 24 hour convenience with just one card. The Welland station offers clear diesel fuel and environmentally friendlier ethanol blended fuels.

Local government officials commended Melna on his vision to go with the self-serve remotely monitored system that this FAST STOP offers. Melna said that the self-serve feature gives him more freedom to focus on his service centre customers but also provide a place for local residents to purchase gas easily.

“Being open 24 hours non-stop and convenient location will make life easier for a lot of people who used to drive quite a distance to get gas.” Melna was born and raised in Welland and has owned and operated Melna’s Service Centre since 1999.

In the United States, GROWMARK supports a network of more than 300 FAST STOP branded outlets.

From (L-R): Roman Groch, Board President, Welland Hospital Foundation; Andrew Troyer, Director of Energy, FS PARTNERS; Councillor Jim Larouche, Ward 6 Welland; Malcolm Allen, MP Welland; Nick and Sandy Melna, Melna's Service Centre; Peter Kormos, MPP Welland; Claude Gauthier, Ontario Region Manager, GROWMARK, Inc.; John Canjar, Director, Energy Marketing, Training & Development, UPI Energy LP; Emile Faddoul, Energy Logistics Co-ordinator, FS PARTNERS

Sunderland Co-operative announces new general manager

2010-11-03T13:37:00.000-07:00

The board of directors of Sunderland Co-operative Inc. has named Blain Thompson as the company’s new general manager, effective December 1, 2010. He will succeed Clare Hayes, who has announced his retirement.

Blain has been associated with Sunderland since 1983, working 15 years in the agronomy, feed and fuel businesses. He was hired in 1998 as a full-time petroleum driver. Since 2003, he has served as the company’s petroleum manager.

Blain has been a firefighter for Brock Township since 1993, and has held the rank of Captain since 2007. He is a lifelong resident of Sunderland, active in his church and community. He and his wife Terri-Lynn are parents of two boys, ages 14 and 16.

FS System general manager receives Ontario Co-operative Spirit Award

2010-11-02T11:14:00.000-07:00

During Co-op week in October, the Ontario Co-operative Association Conference and Gala unfolded with an eventful evening banquet revealing this year’s Spirit Award winners.

Among this year’s seven winners was Sunderland Co-operative General Manager Clare Hayes who was honoured with the Distinguished Co-operator Award.

Hayes began his career at Sunderland Co-operative in 1968. In 1980 he was promoted to assistant manager. During this time, Clare’s vision for the future started to unfold. He was instrumental in the building of a bulk fertilizer plant. This was before the days of computers, so it was up to Clare to formulate the blend sheets by hand. A daunting task for most, but Clare persevered until he was able to convince the board of directors to install its first computer system.

Clare Hayes has promoted co-operative values throughout his four decade career with Sunderland Co-operative and through his support of other co-ops and the community. His tenacity and vision propelled his co-operative from a humble existence of producing one million dollars of sales in 1968 to today reporting a significant $46.5 million for fiscal 2009. But most impressive is that this co-operative has managed to pay out patronage dividends to its farmer-members each consecutive year since its beginnings in 1950 and continued to do so under Clare’s direction and management team from 1983 on.

Sunderland Co-operative has achieved tremendous growth and success through Clare’s responsible business practices, such as maintaining a strong balance sheet, using savings for growth and returning surplus revenues to its members in the form of patronage on a consistent basis.

An important facet to Clare is his commitment to supporting youth development. He maintains strong support from his co-op in regards to local youth through sponsoring 4-H clubs, local fairs, sending teens and young couples to conferences and accepting co-op students from local high schools.

Presenting the award to Hayes was 2008 Distinguished Co-operator Award winner Claude Gauthier, Ontario region manager for GROWMARK, Inc.

In his acceptance speech, Clare paid special tribute to his board of directors, loyal member-customers and strong supportive staff that he says truly paved the way to his success. After nearly 42 years of service with Sunderland Co-operative Hayes announced earlier this year that he will retire at the end of 2010.

On Co-op produces the Conference and Gala – one of the largest co-op conferences in Canada. The event, hosted by On Co-op and sponsored by a number of Ontario co-operatives, was held at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario.

Other 2010 On Co-op Conference and Gala highlights

This year’s conference and Gala was themed “2020-Expand your Co-op Vision”. The Conference began with an intensive four-part plenary session, facilitated by Global TV’s Sean Mallen, designed to mobilize the sector in long-term strategic planning. The all-morning session included a taped presentation by Ed Mayo, secretary general of Co-ops UK, a live video link with Rachel Griffiths, creator of the UK’s Co-operatives Fortnight project, and small-group discussions on policy development and the potential for growth and new opportunities in the coming decade. As 2012 has been declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Co-operatives, session participants also began to discuss plans to celebrate! The two videos and many workshop presentations have been posted to the conference pages of the On Co-op website.

Co-op Crocodiles was one of 14 activities presented during the 10th annual Co-op Conference and Gala and for the first time, the conference included a co-op Showcase and Tradeshow, featuring displays by 22 organizations.

Silent and live auctions, featuring items donated by Ontario co-operatives including FS Co-operatives, raised more than $8000 for On Co-op’s Co-operative Young Leaders program. To learn more about the Gala and see videos from the award winners, visit http://www.ontario.coop/

GROWMARK Senior Trainer elected President of On Co-op Board

2010-11-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

The Ontario Co-operative Association Board of Directors elected Barry Hannah as board president at On Co-op's Annual General Meeting in June.

Aside from Barry’s extensive duties as senior trainer for the GROWMARK Ontario System, he has been on the board of directors with the Ontario Co-operative Association for the past three years, elected to vice chair in 2009 and just prior to becoming president was appointed to acting chair this spring.

As well as his board duties, Barry has been a strong advocate to promoting life-long learning and co-op education. He sits on the Ontario Co-operative Association’s Life-long Learning Committee and the Human Resources Committee.

Barry Hannah has worked in the Ontario agriculture co-operative system for 20 years. In his earlier years, he was a buyer and then went on to become a manager for GROWMARK’s consumer division. It is during this time that Barry got to know the people in the field that made up the co-operative spirit of the organization. He gained great exposure and began to develop life-long relationships and a passion for the co-operative way of doing business.

AGRIS Co-operative to purchase Nutreco assets at Oungah, Ontario

2010-09-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

AGRIS Co-operative is pleased to announce that in co-operation with its grain partner Great Lakes Grain, that they have entered into a an agreement which will see AGRIS purchase the assets of Nutreco Canada Inc. at Oungah, Ontario.

The agreement contemplates that the transaction will be completed by September 30, 2010 so that AGRIS Co-operative on behalf of Great Lakes Grain can be prepared to receive soybeans and corn at the site this fall. It is the intent of Great Lakes Grain to receive and then transfer the corn, beans and wheat to other facilities that it operates.

“While not a large site, this transfer elevator provides the co-operative competitive access to the area between Chatham and Wallaceburg for grain origination and crop input sales,” says AGRIS Co-operative general manager Jim Campbell.

AGRIS Co-operative Ltd. is a one hundred percent farmer-owned grain marketing and farm-input supply company and serves more than 1,200 farmer members in 14 locations in Essex, Kent, Elgin, Middlesex and Lambton Counties. It is a leader in precision farming technology, seed, agronomy and petroleum services. The co-operative is majority owner of Wheatley Elevators specializing in identity preserved grain markets and partner of Great Lakes Grain, a grain merchandising company. AGRIS Co-operative is a member-owner of GROWMARK, Inc. and markets products and services under the FS banner.

Great Lakes Grain is a grain marketing partnership between GROWMARK, Inc. and AGRIS Co-operative Ltd. Great Lakes Grain is one of the largest operators of Ontario country elevators. It represents close to 460,000 MT (18 million bushels) of storage capacity with total marketing in excess of 30 million bushels serving farmers at more than 30 AGRIS Co-operative and FS PARTNERS branded locations from Windsor through to Toronto and north to Georgian Bay.

GROWMARK reports estimated Year-End financial results

2010-09-09T12:42:00.001-07:00

GROWMARK officials reported unaudited, estimated results for the fiscal year that ended August 31, 2010 at its Annual General Meeting in Chicago on Aug 27. Senior Vice President of Finance Jeff Solberg announced sales of $6 billion (US) for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. GROWMARK net income is estimated to be $81 million.

“Fiscal 2010 was another good year in a series of good years,” Solberg said. “The result of this strong performance is a very strong balance sheet with a sound equity base built on a substantial layer of retained earnings, which minimizes the stock investment required of members, which is supplemented by a prudent level of long-term debt.”

An estimated $55 million in patronage refunds will be returned to GROWMARK member co-operatives in the co-operative’s Plant Food, Crop Protection, Seed, Energy, and Facility Planning & Supply business units.

“Change has been the strategic theme for this decade,” Solberg said. “More change has occurred in this decade than in any other in our history, and that change has produced record levels of success and profitability for the GROWMARK System.”

For more detail on the estimated year end results for each of the GROWMARK System’s core businesses, visit: http://www.growmark.com/NewsRoom/2010GROWMARKEstimatedFinancials.pdf

GROWMARK hosts Ontario young leaders in Chicago at its 2010 Annual General Meeting

2010-09-09T11:49:00.001-07:00

Nicole Atkins of Delhi was this year’s youth speaker at the GROWMARK Annual Meeting in Chicago last month. She was chosen by GROWMARK for this prestigious role after graduating from the Ontario Co-operative Association's Co-operative Young Leaders Program. Atkins spoke to several hundred people during the evening banquet about her thoughts on what agriculture technology will look like by the year 2020.

"Youth attending the three day trip to Chicago were chosen by their affiliated organizations because they have shown exemplary leadership skills and have a genuine enthusiasm for being the best they can be for the betterment of agriculture, their communities and society in general," says Claude Gauthier, GROWMARK Ontario Region Manager.

Five other youth traveled with Atkins from Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario, 4-H Ontario and the Co-operative Young Leaders Program to participate in the annual meeting’s opening ceremonies. See photo below:

Ontario youth at GROWMARK Annual Meeting preparing for the Grand Entry of Colours Ceremony. ( L-R) 4-H Ontario Ambassador Nicole Charlton of Brantford, Junior Farmers Association of Ontario Shannon Kelly of Millbrook, Co-operative Young Leader representatives’ Gerrit Herrema of Uxbridge and Nicole Atkins of Delhi (youth speaker). 4-H Ambassador Jessie Groniger of Carlsbad Springs and JFAO representative Kurtis Smith of Strathroy.

GROWMARK Top 20% Award winners announced at FS Ontario Director Forum

2010-09-09T09:49:00.000-07:00

Over 50 Ontario FS member co-operative directors gathered together at the Holiday Inn in Kitchener to attend the Annual FS Ontario Director Forum on Aug. 6 to celebrate this year’s GROWMARK Top 20% Improvement Award winners.

This year, GROWMARK business performance awards went to Sunderland Co-operative Ltd. who received two awards, La Co-operative Agricole d’Embrun Limitee, Lucknow District Co-operative Inc., Huron Bay Co-operative Inc., Thunder Bay Co-operative Farm Supplies and Wanstead Farmers Co-operative Co. Ltd., giving Ontario a total of seven Top 20% Improvement Awards. Ontario received awards in the following areas:

At the FS Director Forum, FS Ontario directors also took the opportunity to pay tribute to Mr. Bill Davisson, GROWMARK’s Chief Executive Officer. Davisson will be retiring from GROWMARK at the end of this calendar year after 40 years of service. To say thank you to Bill for all his contributions to the GROWMARK System, Ontario directors presented him with a parting gift.

Vineland Co-op named one of most improved in FS System

2010-09-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

Vineland Growers Co-operative Ltd. was one of five FS member

co-operatives throughout Ontario and the United States recognized by GROWMARK, Inc. for business performance improvement during the GROWMARK Annual Meeting in Chicago on Aug. 27.

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.

Vineland Growers Co-operative also received GROWMARK’s Top Twenty Percent Award in 2005 and 2007. In 2001, it was honoured with the Ontario Co-operative Association’s Co-operative Innovator Award and last year, the co-operative was the proud recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Business Achievement Award in the town of Lincoln (in the larger business category).

Vineland Growers Co-operative Ltd. was established in 1913, and was founded by four forward-thinking farmers who realized there were benefits to working together. Now the company represents over 300 members in tender fruit and grape production, most of which hail from the Niagara region. Today, Vineland Co-operative has 29 full time employees but grows to an employee base of three times that amount in the peak growing season. The co-operative’s manager is George Mitges and Phil Tregunno is the president.

Other recipients of the GROWMARK Annual Most Improvement Award were: in first place, Ag View FS, Inc., Princeton, Ill., Lincoln Land FS, Inc., Jacksonville, Ill., Conserv FS, Inc., Woodstock, Ill., and Southern FS, Inc., Marion, Ill.

On the left, Dan Kelley, GROWMARK Chairman and President of the Board and Bill Davisson, GROWMARK Chief Executive Officer, present George Mitges, Vineland Growers Co-operative general manager with a GROWMARK Most Improvement Award.

2010 Ontario 4-H Ambassadors tour FS System

2010-09-09T08:15:00.000-07:00

This year marks the fifth year for the 4-H Ontario Ambassador Program and GROWMARK and UPI Energy are again proud supporters. The objective of the program is to spread the word about 4-H through the ambassadors efforts and participation at various community events throughout Ontario. "It is a more hands on approach to supporting the program and it allows us as sponsors to make closer connections to these young leaders,” says Claude Gauthier, Ontario region manager for GROWMARK.

Earlier this spring, 4-H Ambassador Valerie Stone of Paris, attended the FS Ontario Director Summit where she talked to a large group of FS member co-operative directors about the value of supporting 4-H. The young ambassadors recently took part in a tour of the Ontario FS System where they visited several key sites that showcase the GROWMARK System’s core businesses.

The one-day tour consisted of a visit to UPI Energy’s bulk fuel plant in Guelph, an FS PARTNERS grain and agronomy facility in Ayr, North Wellington Co-operative’s unique retail store and lawn and garden centre, a demonstration field plot called Pursuit of Maximum Yield and a 24 hour remotely monitored cardlock system called Swipe & Go. The Ambassadors will also attend UPI Energy’s annual meeting and participate as flag bearers during the opening ceremonies.

Ambassadors are available to speak at special events at your co-operative, so please keep this in mind during the year when planning annual meetings or other prominent events.

4-H Ontario Ambassadors gather for a group photo after touring North Wellington Co-operative Services in Harriston. From L-R: GROWMARK Interns Shuang Li and Erin Dubecki, Kelly Boyle, North Wellington Co-operative Services general manager, Amy Baillie, GROWMARK Ontario administrative assistant, Ontario 4-H Ambassadors Valerie Stone of Paris, Jessie Groniger of Carlsbad Springs, Nicole Charlton of Brantford and Eleri Morris of Elmvale, Janice Johnson, GROWMARK Ontario marketing & communication specialist, Andrew Moore, 4-H Ontario marketing & events co-ordinator. Missing from this photo is 2010 4-H Ambassador Anikka Bolender of Stoufville.

4-H Ambassadors learn about the UPI Energy business from Bob Hodgson, UPI Energy manager, operations, southwestern Ontario.

Sucessful results achieved through Great Lakes Grain first Crop Assessment Tour

2010-09-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

A three day odyssey across southern and mid-western Ontario concluded on Aug. 27 where FS agronomy and grain staff went on a crop scouting blitz capturing new field data to analyse and share with producers.

The Great Lakes Grain Crop Assessment Tour was a team effort that involved 20 two-men teams made up of FS crop specialists, certified crop specialists, customer service managers from FS PARTNERS and AGRIS Co-operative as well as grain originators from Great Lakes Grain.

Don Kabbes, marketing development manager for Great Lakes Grain reports that at each stop there was a soybean and corn field in close proximity. Ten teams scouted soybeans while the other 10 teams scouted corn. “On the first night of the tour we trained for yield estimation protocols for corn and soybeans so that all teams observed and recorded data consistently throughout the tour stops,” added Kabbes.

A total of 17 stops resulted in 2,800 corn and 1,575 soybean yield checks. “This experience provided the opportunity for new and seasoned staff to learn together while raising the bar on cropping knowledge,” says Dale Cowan, senior agronomist for Southern Co-operative Services. Don McLean, agronomist for FS PARTNERS added that “this type of mentoring, sharing, teaching and observing crop conditions in our trading areas provided invaluable opportunities to sharpen our skills.”

The tour’s findings were reported daily through video footage on AGRIS Co-operative's and Great Lakes Grain's web sites giving producers a personal close-up view of the daily activities and findings as they happened.

As a follow up, FS crop specialists will continue to scout an additional five corn and soybean sites together with their growers as a whole field assessment. This will provide an additional 200 yield data points to enhance the tour’s current collection.

More follow up videos will be posted to the Great Lakes Grain, FS PARTNERS and AGRIS Co-operative websites over the next few weeks. “This tour provided us with a wonderful opportunity to learn to become better agronomists who in turn will help us to help our customers become better farmers,” says McLean.

The Crop Assessment tour was generously sponsored by Dekalb Seeds, Syngenta Crop Protection and GROWMARK, Inc.

The preliminary results from the Great Lakes Grain Crop Assessment Tour are estimations only and not final research data, but rather observations. To read about the data results collected from the tour, please visit http://www.greatlakesgrain.com/, or http://www.agris.coop/

(Photo above) Vicky Michinski, zone grain originator with Great Lakes Grain and Bill Dunbar, FS PARTNERS director of operations scout for European Cut Worm at Crop Assesment Tour.

FS PARTNERS and Rothsay Biodiesel announce strategic partnership

2010-09-08T12:57:00.001-07:00

FS PARTNERS and Rothsay Biodiesel, one of Canada’s leading biodiesel producers, have announced a new partnership to deliver blended biodiesel to Maple Leaf Foods fleets in Ontario.

With this alliance, FS PARTNERS further solidifies its reputation as an innovator in the Canadian energy market by developing a solution to deliver blended fuel using Rothsay biodiesel for Maple Leaf fleets. The final blended product will be shipped out of the Port of Hamilton, where both companies store their biodiesel products.

“With each new business venture, it becomes more apparent that biodiesel is the way of the future,” says Tom O’Neill, FS PARTNERS Energy Sales Manager. “Partnering with a company like Rothsay Biodiesel, that is also a leader in driving sustainability in agriculture and the environment, is a positive step forward for both organizations.”

“This is a very positive development for Rothsay Biodiesel and the Canadian biofuels industry,” says Todd Moser, Vice President Alternative Energy for Rothsay. “This partnership advances our biofuels fleet fuelling program by coupling our high quality, sustainable biodiesel with FS PARTNERS’ established petroleum and biofuels distribution and blending capabilities. It gives us the platform to continue expanding the benefits of using cleaner, environmentally friendly renewable commercial fuels in the Canadian market.”

Rothsay, a division of Maple Leaf Foods Inc., is a leader in the Canadian biodiesel industry and one of the largest producers of recycled value-added products including the production of animal feed ingredients, amino acid supplements, and alternative fuel by converting edible and inedible by-products. It operates five rendering facilities nationwide and a commercial-scale biodiesel facility in Montreal.

FS PARTNERS takes the board room to the field in Pursuit of Maximum Yields

2010-09-08T11:40:00.001-07:00

Dressed in bright orange shirts and engulfed in 12 foot high corn stalks, the FS PARTNERS agronomy team in partnership with Syngenta held its Green Plan Solutions road show at a variety of optimum demonstration field plots throughout central and south western Ontario to promote the Pursuit of Maximum Yield Program to its progressive producers.

The show began on Aug. 11 in Ayr and then continued for the next week at four other locations that covered FS PARTNERS trade territories in and surrounding Drayton, Mitchell, Harmony, Delhi, Stayner, Alliston and Elmvale representing corn, wheat and soybeans.

"With an excellent turn out at each field plot and next-to-perfect weather, the event was a huge success," says Dan Clarke, FS PARTNERS sales manager.

More than 160 producers attended in total and participated in an outdoor rotation of information stations. Each station was equipped with expert advisors that spent about 20 minutes on specific topics such as the importance of good information gathering, proper soil fertility or farming by prescription, plant nutrition, managing energy prices and genetics, traits and refuge management.

Each station was equipped with a series of colourful story boards that were used as a presentation tool much like a PowerPoint presentation on a computer. “It was like bringing a high-tech boardroom presentation to the outdoors,” says Don McLean, FS PARTNERS agronomist. Guests were comfortably seated on bales of hay and offered a cooler of refreshments at each station.

Based on Dr. Below of the University of Illinois’s research, the FS PARTNERS team summed up each presentation with an analysis of his findings that showed how much yield is reduced when removing one of the recommended high-tech components of corn production.

(L-R) Don McLean, FS PARTNERS agronomist and Dan Clarke, FS PARTNERS Agromony sales manager provide an overview of the Whole Farm Proposal.

“It is all about being better with the pencil,” says Crop Specialist Tony Balkwill at the information-management station. Producer Brett Schuyler of Schuyler Farms Ltd. commented that he is convinced that soil sampling can be beneficial based on the results he received. “Right along my pig barn, soil sample results showed high levels of fertility that can be easily explained. So obviously the numbers are accurate,” he explains.

In conclusion, Dan Clarke stated that there is not just one silver bullet to help a producer gain maximum yield, but it is more to do with a full approach of utilizing all aspects of farming technology and market planning. Participants finished the morning with a hearty barbecue lunch and social time with friends and colleagues.

The Pursuit of Maximum Yield Demonstration Plot Program is a multi-year project that will provide long-term results for producers to help them make the best decisions for their operations.

Using outdoor story boards Devin Homick, zone originator specialist of Great Lakes Grain (left) and Morley Friesen, FS PARTNERS area manager (right) describe what FS PARTNERS can offer in grain and fuel options.

FS managers presented with results of the 2010 Large Commercial Producer Study

2010-09-08T11:27:00.001-07:00

Earlier this summer, FS Co-operative general managers and agronomy staff attended a meeting with Tom Funk of Agri Studies Inc. who presented the results of the Large Commercial Producer Study (LCPS) that took place in the winter of this year.

GROWMARK was one of 18 Canadian organizations that supported this project. The study was done in partnership with Agri Studies Inc (ASI) and Ipsos Forward Research (IFR) in co-operation with Top Crop Manager (TCM) and the Western Producer (TWP).

With over 500 respondents, the study targeted only those farmers whose main income was generated from farming crops including corn, soy, wheat, barley or canola, livestock and dairy, swine and poultry and included some comparison data on Hutterite colonies versus traditional farming practices.

The LCPS Study is a comprehensive survey of large farms in all parts of Canada. It focused on understanding the behaviours and attitudes of this important group and took a good look at the following key topics:
• Who are commercial producers?
• What do they want?
• How do they make buying decisions?
• How do they sell/market their products?
• How can they be reached?
• What are their management challenges?

Unlike market research that is focused on a specific product or issue, the LCPS took a higher level look at the underlying trends in the Canadian farm market. It not only revealed the data mentioned above but also shared some deeper analysis into what farmers are feeling in regards to their personal and business goals and what they value most.

“It was good to confirm that most of the main values and concerns coming from producers, based on this study, fit well with what the FS System is working to achieve for its customers, such as: increasing farmers’ profits, reducing their risk, becoming more competitive and making their lives easier,” says Frank Campbell, GROWMARK Ontario marketing director.

Campbell has organized an extensive workshop planned for Sept. 28 with the goal of developing key strategies for the FS System customized to specific markets.

Key findings from the study will be posted on GROWMARK eresource/marketing research after October 1st.

Tom Funk, Agri Studies Inc. provides GROWMARK and FS Co-operative managers with new facts about farmer trends.

Introducing new environmentally approved hydraulic fluid

2010-09-08T10:14:00.000-07:00

UPI Energy is pleased to announce that Power Flo Environmentally Approved Hydraulic Fluid is now available through CASE ’N DRUM OIL LP.

Power Flo is a premium high pressure hydraulic fluid that is non-toxic, biodegradable, water soluble and "EcoLogo" approved. It is being successfully used in a wide variety of hydraulic systems operating in sensitive environments. Power Flo is fire resistant and will not burn or flame even when misted under high pressure.

Since Power Flo is a top-of-the-line, synthetic, water soluble hydraulic fluid, it provides a more responsible environmental option over mineral or vegetable based fluids. Power Flo dissolves entirely and its technical performance is equal to or better than premium mineral oil hydraulic fluids in service today.

Whether the concern is environmental stewardship or avoiding the crushing costs of polluting incidents, mobile hydraulic equipment operators and fleet managers are looking harder than ever for a working alternative to mineral oil hydraulic fluids, and Power Flo meets that need. Contact UPI Energy for more information on this product.

Employee appreciation night goes to the movies

2010-07-22T15:40:00.001-07:00

Toy Story III and a barbecue chicken dinner at the Hanover Drive-in theatre was this year’s summer staff appreciation event for North Wellington Co-operative employees. Each year for the past four years, Kelly Boyle, general manager of North Wellington Co-operative Services has planned a mid-summer event that involves good food, entertainment and socializing for all employees and their families.

The co-operative rented out the Drive-in property making it exclusive to just the North Wellington Co-op group. More than 150 employees, their children and spouses came out for the evening. “It is not very often employees from each branch get to mingle and meet each other’s families like this,” says Boyle. “It helps connect the branches as one big team,” he adds.

A beautiful sunset was the entertainment even before the real show started at the Hanover Drive-In for North Wellington Co-op’s staff appreciation night.

Ontario’s advocacy efforts do pay off

2010-07-22T15:35:00.001-07:00

Since November of 2008 The Ontario FS Co-operatives Government Relations Committee with the assistance from the Ontario Co-operative Association has been hard at work raising awareness and addressing several key challenges facing Ontario’s agricultural co-ops, and in particular FS co-ops by communicating directly to members of the provincial parliament and other public policy figures.

In recent months, committee members have met with key Ministries such as Finance and Energy, as well as with MPP Carol Mitchell (the new Minister of Agriculture). Among topics discussed were: the impact of punitive property tax classifications on Ontario’s commercial grain elevators, requesting support for the local food movement through adoption of a “buy-in-Ontario” preference in government food service procurement, the need for government to work with Ontario co-operatives to develop new renewable energy initiatives, and the negative effect of the proposed Consolidated Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste program (CMHSW) on Ontario farmers.

Recently, the Ontario Agri Business Association (OABA) was successful in negotiating an agreement with all fertilizer stewards that would allow packaged fertilizer for agricultural use to be excluded from the requirements of the CMHSW program. While OABA had spent over a year lobbying the government, Claude Gauthier, GROWMARK Ontario region manager notes the committee was “part of what created the momentum to change the tide.” Jim Campbell, general manager of AGRIS Co-operative Ltd. adds, “I think the FS Government Relations Committee can take some credit in keeping this issue on the political forefront to allow OABA and others to negotiate the right arrangement.”

Corporate GROWMARK’s director of government affairs Chuck Spencer, is part of the Ontario committee and provides guidance in regards to tactics and strategies keeping the agenda in sync with corporate GROWMARK’s viewpoints and goals. Spencer says, “This committee is doing great work and is targeting key issues that will help improve the profitability for farmers keeping us in line with our core values.”

The committee, with the help of advocates from various FS co-operatives across the province, will continue its efforts to move forward with the other key issues, in a concerted effort to make the environment for all agricultural co-operatives more favorable.

As part of the Ontario Co-operative Association’s government relations efforts, an annual reception is held at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in Toronto where FS member co-operative representatives attend to meet with MPPs to help educate them on co-ops and discuss how policies affect their future. From L-R Claude Gauthier, GROWMARK Ontario region manager, David Malott, AGRIS Co-operative president, Pat Hoy, Chatham-Kent-Essex MPP, Maria Van Bommel, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP, Denyse Guy, Ontario Co-operative Association executive director and Jim Campbell, AGRIS Co-operative general manager.

FS PARTNERS employees all gather together for one day to learn more about the GROWMARK System

2010-07-05T09:59:00.000-07:00

On June 23, FS PARTNERS held an all-employee meeting as a way to introduce its plans and strategic direction going forward.

Jaye Atkins, FS PARTNERS general manager emceed the one-day event and introduced each of the six GROWMARK executives that flew up from Bloomington for the day.

Dennis Farmer, senior vice president, member services & retail, led the group of speakers by providing an overview of GROWMARK operations. Shelly Kruse, vice president, Midwest retail & acquisitions, gave an update on the new developments in the co-op structure of FS PARTNERS and how it will benefit the farmer-customer.

The 175 FS PARTNERS employees who attended also heard presentations from Jeff Solberg, senior vice president of finance, Bill Erlenbush, executive director of corporate compliance, Linda Witmer, human resource & compliance manager (Ontario), Becky Ropp, manager, Career Development, and Jim Hoyt, vice president, strategic planning & corporate services, who has led the strategic planning process for FS PARTNERS for the past several months.

The last speaker of the day was Jaye Atkins who defined the new strategic plan for FS PARTNERS and unveiled its new mission and vision statements among the many marketing and business initiatives it will tackle in the coming months.

FS PARTNERS Mission:

To serve as your leading resource for innovative solutions.

FS PARTNERS Vision:

To be the trusted long-term leader in our business.

Shelly Kruse of GROWMARK awards Scott McKay of FS PARTNERS Harmony branch with $20 cash when he was the first in the audience to recite the new Mission statement for FS PARTNERS

GROWMARK hosts new website training day for FS Ontario marketing staff

2010-07-04T09:49:00.000-07:00

On June 16, GROWMARK held its first ever Ontario FS System Website Clinic that offered training and tips to 17 FS marketing assistants throughout Ontario.

Jana Kiefer, GROWMARK’s web publisher travelled up from Bloomington, Illinois for the day to lead the group through a hands-on session with participants each equipped with individual lap tops. Through the help of GROWMARK IT staff, the Kitchener office board room was converted into a professional computer lab training center.

Jana covered a variety of topics on how to set up and navigate through the DTN website module. Participants learned about different design templates, how to navigate properly, and overall site maintenance. After lunch, Terry Stevenson, communication manager for AGRIS Co-operative and Jeff McCallum, communication and marketing specialist for North Wellington Co-operative Services provided the group with some other ideas and examples of enhancements that they have incorporated into their websites.

GROWMARK offers its members a website support program that it manages with DTN. Member co-operatives that sign on to this program will have the added peace-of-mind of having a support contact that can provide the expertise required to produce and maintain a professional looking website as well as some extra value provided by DTN because of its relationship with GROWMARK that may not be available independently.

Marketing assistants from Lucknow District Co-operative, Huron Bay Co-operative, Sunderland Co-operative, North Wellington Co-operative Services, AGRIS Co-operative, FS PARTNERS and Co-operative Regionale de Nipissing Sudbury made the trip to Kitchener to learn more about website development. If you would like more information on GROWMARK's website support program, please contact Jana Kiefer at jkiefer@growmark.com or 309-557-6170.

Blain Thompson (L) and Leonard Woodward from Sunderland Co-operative work on some hands-on examples provided to the group during Ontario's first FS Website Clinic.

UPI Energy gives back through its annual charity golf tournament

2010-06-07T10:55:00.000-07:00

UPI Energy LP presented two generous donations of $10,000 each to local charities at its 10th Annual Invitational Charity Golf Tournament held on May 31 at Whistle Bear Golf Club.

Under sunny skies, the tournament raised funds for the Learning Disabilities Association of Kitchener-Waterloo and Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre.

The Learning Disabilities Association of Kitchener-Waterloo, represented by Annette Zegers, thanked UPI for the donation. Ms. Zegers commented on the wonderful feeling that comes when a child with a learning disability, after several weeks in the program is able to read and emphatically states, “reading is fun!”

Vanessa Blurton-Jones, an adult rider and Para-equestrian athlete from Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre, spoke of the confidence and the inspiration she has received from her experience with Sunrise and from watching other Para-equestrian athletes realize their dreams.

Over the past ten years, sponsors and participants have helped UPI raise over $150,000 for the recipient charities.

Robert Sicard, UPI Energy LP President and CEO donates $10,000 each to: Annette Zegers from Learning Disabilities Association of Kitchener Waterloo and Cathy Illerbrun and Vanessa Blurton-Jones from Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre.

Ontario FS System returns $3.2 million in patronage to Ontario farmers

2010-05-20T07:07:00.000-07:00

Claude Gauthier, Ontario region manager
GROWMARK, Inc.

With the busy growing season of 2010 in progress and the last of the FS
Co-operative’s 2009 annual meetings complete, it is a time to take a good look at year-end results. And from all reports, it is safe to say, that even despite the economic unrest in 2009, it proved to be a very good year for Ontario agriculture co-ops.

“It is a good time for agriculture,” says Claude Gauthier, Ontario region manager for GROWMARK. “The success of these co-ops ultimately transcribes into the success of its farmer-customers.”

“Each co-operative shares its success with its members in the form of patronage refunds or by enhancing its operation, therefore, making the local farmer and community the real heart and backbone behind the co-op.”

The history of ag co-ops in Ontario dates back more than 95 years and over those nine decades has evolved and re-identified itself through ownership, acquisitions, mergers and branding, but the one thing that stays constant is the strong network of innovators, experts and loyal co-operators that drive the sector forward. This remains evident with the Ontario FS System reporting record profits for 2009.

“The richness of this culture not only relates to sales numbers, but also in co-operative spirit that involves community support through youth programs, local events and charities,” says Gauthier.

Here are some examples of reported success within the FS System in Ontario:

Kelly Boyle, general manager
North Wellington Co-operative Services Inc.

On sales of just over $24 million and net income coming in comparable to last year of just under half a million dollars, North Wellington Co-operative Services returned $124,000 in cash patronage to members compared to $60,000 in 2008 and returned $135,000 in member loan interest in 2009.

North Wellington Co-operative also reported that its general reserve has reached an all time high of $4.3 million which is a very healthy indicator of core strength and sustainability for the co-operative.

In 2009, North Wellington Co-operative celebrated its 65th anniversary and invested in a new central feed warehouse that is large enough to serve all four branches and customers of the co-operative. Its board of directors led by President Eric Rae of Harriston, remains unchanged.

John Turvey, general manager
Wanstead Farmers Co-operative Co.

A new record for pre-tax profit of $1.018 million derived from $35 million in sales was the positive message given to members of Wanstead Farmers Co-operative. Its farmer-members received $235,000 in cash patronage and the co-op spent $400,000 on equipment upgrades and also reported that its membership is solid with almost 80 per cent of its business conducted through its membership.

Wanstead Farmers Co-op received two GROWMARK Top 20% Improvement Awards recognizing substantial sales increases and credit management success. Tony Straatman of Petrolia was newly elected as president for Wanstead Farmers Co-operative.

George Mitges, general manager
Vineland Growers Co-operative Ltd.

The fresh fruit region of Niagara is home to Vineland Growers Co-operative, the oldest agricultural co-operative in Ontario with its 100th anniversary approaching in three years.

Vineland Growers Co-operative President Phil Tregunno reported that the co-operative returned just under $1.2 million in patronage-rebates and produced $33.5 million in sales and has seen steady growth in returned earnings over the past five years amounting to over $1 million.

This year was especially rewarding when Vineland Growers Co-operative received the Chamber of Commerce (Town of Lincoln) Most Outstanding Business Achievement Award in the large business category.

Jim Campbell, general manager
AGRIS Co-operative Ltd.

AGRIS Co-operative boasted sales of $70 million and $175 million in sales for its grain business partnership with GROWMARK, Great Lakes Grain.

Pre tax income for AGRIS resulted in twice as much as last year of $2.73 million and its members also saw their patronage rebates double from 2008 to half a million dollars in 2009. AGRIS received The GROWMARK Top 20% Improvement Award for increased sales volume. In 2011, AGRIS Co-operative will have reached its 90th year anniversary.

Recently AGRIS Co-operative ventured into the solar energy business and created a new farmer-owned company called AGRIS Solar Co-operative that gives its members the opportunity to invest and participate in the development of renewable energy within their local communities.

David Malott of Muirkirk is president of AGRIS Co-operative as well as AGRIS Solar Co-operative.

Allan Scott, general manager
Lucknow District Co-operative Inc.

Lucknow District Co-operative reported excellent financial results for 2009, and was very focused on its investment strengths.

In 2009, Lucknow Co-operative invested in new equipment and renovations and has budgeted approximately $900,000 for 2010 on capital additions that will provide added value for its farmer-members and their operations.

Lucknow District Co-operative reported sales of $14.2 million. “In spite of the market challenges, we showed great progress this year in combined financial stability and increased capital strength,” says Scott. Dave Gibson of Ripley was newly elected as president of Lucknow District Co-operative.

Clare Hayes, general manager
Sunderland Co-operative Inc.

Sunderland Co-operative is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and is noted for the most consistency with a perfect track record of success in providing patronage to its members since it began in 1950. Sunderland Co-operative President Doug Johnson of Keswick reported 2009 sales results of $46.5 million with member returns of $550,000 in patronage.

Sunderland Co-op received The GROWMARK Top 20% Improvement Award recognizing substantial increases in sales.

Clare Hayes, general manager of Sunderland Co-operative has been nominated by the board of directors for the 2010 Ontario Co-operative Association’s Distinguished Co-operator Award. Hayes announced his plans to retire at the end of this year after nearly 42 years of service to his co-operative.

Ben Postuma, general manager
Thunder Bay Co-operative Farm Supplies

Thunder Bay Co-operative Farm Supplies President Fritz Jasper reported its best year ever in its 57 year history. Members were rewarded with a four per cent dividend this year and for the past four years prior. They reported sales of $3.5 million and returned $52,000 in patronage to members.

Thunder Bay Co-operative has expanded by purchasing a small feed company this year which will add to their product offering and additional growth.

Jeff Hurst, general manager
Huron Bay Co-operative Inc.

Huron Bay Co-operative reported profits of just under $130,000 in 2009 on sales of almost $35 million in sales. The co-operative has served local area farmers since 1951 and now has a membership base of approximately 1,500.

The co-operative recently elected Allan Smith of Tara as president and three new directors: David Kuntz of Walkerton, Sam Luckhardt of Owen Sound and Doug Jeffray of Wroxeter.

Raymond Savage, general manager
Co-opérative Régionale de Nipissing Sudbury Ltd.

Co-opérative Régionale de Nipissing Sudbury showed great strength in acquisitions in 2009 with the purchase of a feed business called Northern Feed Supplies in New Liskeard and the heating, farming and commercial fuels business from Norstar Petroleum located in Azilda. It also operates a fertilizer blender and grain handling facility in the Temiskaming region.

The co-operative’s President Raymond Brouillette of Verner reported sales of $47.6 million and returned $373,000 to its members in patronage.

Nipissing-Sudbury Co-operative was especially flattered to have GROWMARK’s President Dan Kelley attend their annual meeting. “Having Mr. Kelley attend our annual meeting was a very special highlight and an honour for our employees and our members,” says Savage.

Michel Chenier, general manager
La Co-opérative Agricole d’Embrun Ltée

La Co-opérative Agricole d’Embrun showed great success in its sales numbers but also in its investments. At a cost of $1.3 million, two new grain storage bins were erected that hold an additional 5,800 metric tons of grain, two new trucks for petroleum and fertilizer along with some new feed equipment was invested back into the co-operative. The new grain bins were filled to capacity almost immediately maximizing Embrun Co-ops total holding capacity of 15,000 tonnes of corn.

The president of Embrun Co-operative, Robert Gratton of Casselman, reported annual sales of $68.5 million and returns to members in the form of patronage of $125,000 as well as member loan interest of $116,000 was paid out to members.

Embrun Co-operative received a Top 20% Award from GROWMARK recognizing substantial sales increase.

Jaye Atkins, general manager
FS PARTNERS

FS PARTNERS, a retail division of GROWMARK that manages 13 FS locations also was successful in its first year as a GROWMARK division and met its financial targets and objectives set for 2009. FS PARTNERS underwent a large restructuring during the spring of 2009 that resulted in a transfer of ownership of four member co-operatives it managed to become a division of GROWMARK.

Alex Elliott, general manager

Great Lakes Grain

In 2009, the grain sites owned by GROWMARK within the FS PARTNERS retail division joined with AGRIS Co-operative to form a larger Great Lakes Grain that represents close to 18 million bushels of storage capacity with total marketing in excess of 30 million bushels serving more than 30 locations throughout south western and central Ontario.

Together—the FS Co-operative System in Ontario finished 2009 with exceptional year-end results providing patronage refunds to farmers of almost $3.2 million! This is not only good for co-operatives, but most importantly for the farmer-members and for the communities they serve.

Terry Stevenson takes board position with ECFWA

2010-05-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

FS Communication Manager Terry Stevenson was elected to the Eastern Canada Farm Writers Association board of directors for a one-year term at its annual meeting on April 29 held in Holland Landing.

Terry is the communications manager for Southern Co-operative Services which manages the agronomy businesses for Wanstead Farmers Co-operative and AGRIS Co-operative Ltd. Terry has been attending various events through ECFWA for the past three years and last year he graduated from the University of Guelph with a diploma in Ag-communications.

The Eastern Canada Farm Writers’ Association (ECFWA) serves the common interests of agricultural journalists, reporters, editors and broadcasters. The organization represents more than 175 members in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. It joins with other regional farm writer organizations in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to form the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation. ECFWA members also belong to the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists.

From L-R: Clare Illingworth, communication specialist with Syngenta is now the ECFWA president; Karen Dallimore, freelance writer now elected as second vice chair; Kathie MacDonald of the Rural Ontario Institute; Andrew Campbell from Farms.com is the secretary treasurer; Claire Cowan, Editor of the Ontario Grain Farmer; Terry Stevenson, communication manager for Southern Co-operative Services; Sarah Andrewes of Hill & Knowlton is now first vice-chair and Kelly Daynard manager with the Ontario Farm Animal Council is stepping down as president after her three-year term. Christina Franc of Qu’anglo Communications, Quebec was not present for the photo.

Hanover FS is named Company of the Year

2010-05-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

We are happy to announce that North Wellington Co-operative Services-Hanover branch has been awarded with the 2010 Saugeen Community Business of Excellence Award (S.Co.B.E) and named Company of the Year in the small business category of fewer than 15 employees.

The S.Co.B.E. Awards recognize excellence in business and entrepreneurship in the Saugeen Community. These prestigious awards are given to encourage community economic growth, promote local and regional community and nurture the region as a resource of diverse business opportunities and strengths.

The Hanover FS branch was measured on a number of its contributions towards environmental consciousness, product research and development, marketing innovation, sales growth, business development, employee and customer relations, product and services, and community support.

FS PARTNERS, Kevin Stumpf among the group of first cohort graduates from the co-operative management certificate program

2010-05-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

Twenty-one students of the Ontario co-op sector’s first Co-operative Management Certificate Program graduated April 17 and

FS PARTNERS Location Manager Kevin Stumpf was one of them.

The students, most of who are currently involved with the co-op sector, celebrated the end of their nine-month course with a ceremony held at the Executive Learning Centre of the Schulich School of Business at York University.

Stumpf says this course gave him the opportunity to learn more about the diversity of the co-op sector. "I know that the knowledge I gained and the network of other co-operators that I met will help me in my position with FS PARTNERS and I plan to further promote and share the successes of the co-op sector with others.”

The Co-operative Management Certificate Program was designed to be an affordable, practical and accessible learning solution for those in Ontario’s diverse co-operative sectors. The Program was developed by the Ontario Co-operative Association in partnership with the Schulich School of Business. Students in the first cohort represented co-op sectors including renewable energy, housing, financial services, agriculture, organics, transportation and worker co-ops. A number of students came from outside the co-op sector, and took the program to learn more about applying the co-op enterprise model to a future business.

The second cohort of the Co-operative Management Certificate Program begins October 22, 2010, with graduation scheduled for May 14, 2011.

To learn more about the Co-operative Management Program, visit www.tinyurl.com/CMCProgram or call On Co-op at 1.888.745.5521.

Vineland Co-op recognized for excellence in business!

2010-04-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

We are proud to announce that Vineland Growers Co-operative Ltd. was recently recognized as this year’s recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Business Achievement Award in the town of Lincoln (in the larger business category).

When George Mitges, general manager of Vineland Growers Co-operative learned that they had been nominated for the award, he commented that this was a huge honour for his staff, but also very much for the more than 300 members in the farming community that they serve. “It reflects the positive relationship we have with our customer base and our own employees and it is truly an honour to be recognized in this way,” says Mitges.

In the nomination, it stated that Vineland Growers Co-operative was a prime candidate to receive this honour because of its longevity of 97 years in business as an integral part of the fabric of the Niagara Peninsula that continually focuses on improving its member-customers' profit margins. Over the years, Vineland Co-op has developed a strong team of employees who are passionate about seeing their customers succeed and show strength in employing local area people and support for many local charities.

Vineland Growers Co-operative Ltd. was established in 1913, and was founded by four forward-thinking farmers who realized there were benefits to working together. Now the company represents more than 300 tender fruit growers, most of which hail from the Niagara region. Today Vineland Co-operative has 29 full time employees but grows to an employee base of three times that amount in the peak growing season.

This unique thing about Vineland Growers Co-op is that is fully owned by the producers it serves. It provides the sales and marketing support to its farmer-owners by effectively selling their fruit to major grocery store chains across Canada and in some locations in the United States filling their shelves with high quality cherries, yellow and blue plums, peaches, nectarines, table grapes, pears and most recently vineyard grapes. The supply side of the business provides farmers with the tools and products they need to maximize production such as fertilizers, sprays and other agricultural inputs. Vineland Growers Co-operative also manufactures and sells a large quantity of fruit baskets, shipment trays and other container styles that resulted in almost nine million units sold last year!

In 2001, Vineland Growers Co-operative received the Ontario Co-operative Association’s Co-operative Innovator Award and in 2005 and 2007 was honoured with the Top Twenty Percent Award from GROWMARK, Inc.

The Outstanding Business Achievement Awards (OBAA) were established in 2003, and the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce awards are presented annually to celebrate the success and excellence of local area businesses who work towards supporting a vibrant local economy and demonstrate commitment to nurturing community wellness.

Several of Vineland Growers Co-operative’s staff attended the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Awards night that took place on March 30 at the Inn on the 20 to receive this prestigious award. Holding up the award are from ( L-R) Scott Wright Purchasing manager, Ed Pogoda IT and Retail services manager, Dave Lepp Operations Manager, Mike Ryan Director of Finance, George Mitges General Manager, Dave Prudhomme manufacturing manager.

New ownership and new life for St. Charles grocery store

2010-04-27T12:27:00.000-07:00

After a long search to sustain grocery store services for local residents of St. Charles, the board of directors and management team of Co-opérative Régionale de Nipissing Sudbury is proud to announce that they have put in place an agreement to sell the assets of its St. Charles Foodland grocery store to a local area grocer. The deal is expected to close on May 2.

Under this agreement, Edmund Jianyong will be the new owner of the St. Charles store. He is an experienced retailer and has owned and operated a Quick Way store in Bonfield for the past three years. He plans to bring fresh ideas that have been successful at his Bonfield location and also wants to expand the hardware product line as well as some of the existing services already offered. The new store will be operating under the name St-Charles Food Town.

“This transaction is not only a win-win for the community but also for our employees,” says Savage. Most employees will be able to keep their jobs under the new management or through their seniority rights. The remaining few were compensated fairly through an offer of retirement.

“A new owner with new ideas is probably exactly what this store needs to succeed,” says Raymond Brouillette, president of the board of directors of the co-operative. “It has been a long process that could not have been achieved without the support of the community.”

GROWMARK and UPI Energy bring in new 2010 crop of 4-H Ontario Ambassadors

2010-03-16T13:22:00.000-07:00

This year marks the fifth year for the 4-H Ontario Ambassador Program. Each year the FS System has been proud supporters of the program where five or six senior 4-H members are selected to represent 4-H. Ambassadors travel throughout the province to spread the word and educate people in various communities about the benefits of getting involved in 4-H.

This year's ambassadors were selected on Jan. 31. Finalists were asked to deliver a short presentation and then answer a series of questions before a panel of judges.

Congratulations to Anikka Bolender of Stouffville, Nicole Charlton of Brantford, Jessie Groniger of Carlsbad Springs, Eleri Morris of Elmvale and Valerie Stone of Paris, on being selected as the new 2010 4-H Ontario Ambassadors.

These leading 4-H members were sworn in by "pledging their heart" at the 2010 4-H Ontario Ambassador Reception and Training event over Valentine's Day weekend. Representatives from the program's sponsors GROWMARK and UPI Energy attended this event to give ambassadors a brief overview of their organizations.

New to the ambassadors this year, was the initiation of a mentorship program. Marketing and Communication Specialist for North Wellington Co-operative and past Ontario 4-H Ambassador Jeff McCallum has taken the role of mentor for one of the new ambassadors this year and was also in attendance at the orientation weekend in February.

Outgoing 4-H Ontario Ambassadors are Bruce Betzner, Olivia Groniger, Morgan Kluka, Ashley Pulver, Cory Ward and Stephanie Warner.

If you have an upcoming event that you would like an ambassador to attend to say a few words, please contact Janice Johnson at jajohnson@growmark.com or 519-895-4286.

2010 4-H Ambassador Valerie Stone and 2009 Ambassador Bruce Betzner will be saying a few words at the upcoming FS Director Summit on March 23 in Niagara Falls.

For this, and more information, please visit 4-H Ontario.

Cutting the cake at the 2010 Ontario 4-H Ambassador orientation weekend.

(From L-R) Eleri Morris of North Simcoe County, Nicole Charlton and Valerie Stone of Brant County, Stephanie Dwyer of UPI Energy LP, Barry Hannah of GROWMARK, Inc., Jessie Groniger of Carleton region and Anikka Bolender of York.

AGRIS Co-operative crop specialists receive CCS status recognition

2010-03-16T08:17:00.000-07:00

From AGRIS Co-operative based in the southwestern Ontario, two more crop advisors received their CCS (Certified Crop Specialist) designation certificate from GROWMARK, Inc. They are Chris Snip of Cottam and Mark McKerrall of Tupperville.

This prestigious achievement is the next level up in their extensive agricultural training. Mckerral and Snip already hold their CCA (Certified Crop Advisor) designation in Ontario. To earn accreditation as a certified crop specialist, they successfully completed a series of comprehensive written and verbal exams designed to establish base standards of knowledge for individuals who advise growers on crop management and production inputs. These two gentlemen join their peers Mike Parker of Wanstead Farmers Co-operative in Alvinston, Kent Wolfe of AGRIS Co-operative in Dutton and Nick Zwambag of AGRIS Co-operative in Thamesville who achieved their certified crop specialist awards in 2008.

Chris Snip of AGRIS Co-operative, Cottam receives his GROWMARK Certified Crop Specialist award from Frank Campbell, GROWMARK Ontario Marketing Director (L) and Dale Cowan, AGRIS Co-operative Senior Agronomist

Mark McKerrall, AGRIS Co-operative, Tupperville also recieves CCS certificate. (Far right).

Currently the FS System has 51 full time crop specialists, 46 CCA’s in Ontario.
Please contact Frank Campbell, Bill Brown or Barry Hannah if you want more information on this topic.

Update: Changes to the Co-operative Corportations Act

2010-03-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

In December 2009, Bill 218 – formally called the Ontario Tax Plan for More Jobs and Growth Act and informally referred to as the HST Bill – was tabled and passed in the Ontario Legislature. In addition to introducing the HST, the bill made a number of other changes to other pieces of legislation, including the Co-operative Corporations Act. The changes that were made provide more options to co-ops in how they run their meetings, and options in the composition of their boards of directors and the election process.

The changes to the Act include:

1. Co-ops (with the exception of non-profit housing co-ops) now have the option of holding members’ meetings using electronic means – such as teleconferencing, web conferencing or email. Co-ops can also accept votes by mail if they choose.

2. Co-ops (again with the exception of non-profit housing co-ops) can now have up to 1/5 of the board of directors be non-members. Previous to this change, the boards of co-operatives could only be made up of co-op members.

3. Co-ops can now provide for directors to be acclaimed to seats on the board, if there is a situation where there are the same number of candidates (or less) as there are open seats on the board. This keeps the co-op from having to run through a full election process in a case like this.

4. The board president in a co-op can designate a non-member to act as the chair of a members’ meeting. Previous to the change, co-ops could only appoint an alternate chair from within the membership and only if both the President and Vice-President were absent from the meeting.

5. The board of a co-op can now specify a meeting place for members’ meetings to be anywhere in Ontario when they call the meeting, unless the bylaws of the co-op specifically mandate that members’ meetings are to be held in a certain location.

6. The requirement for multi-stakeholder co-ops to have one director present from each stakeholder group at board meetings has been removed.

Two things to note:

• Co-ops don’t have to make use of these new provisions in the Act if they don’t wish to. It is entirely up to the board and membership of the co-op to decide if they wish to use any or all of the new provisions.

• In order to make use of some of the changes (the first three mentioned above), a co-op has to change its bylaws to specifically allow certain actions. This means that a special provision is needed, which is where the board approves changes to the bylaws, and then they go to the membership for approval at a members’ meeting. In order for bylaw changes to become effective, 2/3 of those members present at a meeting must vote to approve the changes.

The Ontario Co-operative Association (On Co-op) is in the process of developing a series of guides that explain the more significant changes in more detail and these will be available for download from the website in the next several weeks. Contact Jen Heneberry, Co-op Development Manager, for more details about these changes or to obtain copies of these guides. (519.763.8271 x23, jheneberry@ontario.coop).

Nipissing-Sudbury Co-op director receives Ontario Master Forage title

2010-01-21T10:11:00.000-08:00

James Parsons, dairy farmer from Cache Bay and long time customer and director with Co-operative Regionale de Nipissing Sudbury Ltd. has been named 2009 Ontario Forage Master at the 22nd Annual Ontario Forage Masters Competition at the Royal Agriculture Winter Fair in November.

Over 165 participants from 24 counties and districts across Ontario were involved where Parsons had the opportunity to present innovative ideas and forage management techniques to peers and guests.

After receiving this honour, Parsons said he was honoured to have been given this title and looks forward to representing Ontario in Missouri in June when he competes in the American Forage and Grassland Council’s Spokesperson Contest.

AGRIS Co-operative returns $500,000 in patronage to its farmer owners

2010-01-21T08:22:00.001-08:00

An income before tax profit of $2.3 million for 2009 was reported by AGRIS Co-operative Ltd. board president, David Malott to the co-operative’s members at its annual meeting held at Club Lentinas, in Chatham.

AGRIS Co-operative recorded agronomy sales of more than $57 million for fiscal 2009. Based on these results, Malott announced that the board of directors declared a cash patronage of $250,000 and will issue new shares in the amount of $250,000 to their owners. In addition more than $405,000 in interest on investments with the co-operative will be returned to the member-owners of AGRIS and the local communities it serves. Patronage will be calculated based upon members’ purchases and grain sold.

In his year-end report, David Malott told members that previously, the co-op’s shareholders were referred to as members but in reality they are really owners of the co-operative. “Therefore, starting this fiscal year we will be using the term owners when referring to our member-shareholders,” said Malott.

The election of directors for the co-operative was held and re-elected to a three year term from the Cottam area were John Sauvé, from Chatham, Scott McGeachy, from Maidstone, Ray Simard and newly elected from the Thamesville area were Jim Anderson and David Sherman. The board of directors met immediately after the meeting and conducted the election of officers. David Malott was re-elected as president, Larry Pajot as vice-president and Pat Vanjeule as secretary.

Retiring board directors Dennis Jack (L) and Krin Dieleman ( R) are presented with appreciation awards by fellow director John Sauve.

Announcing 2009 GROWMARK University of Guelph scholarship award winners

2010-01-04T11:58:00.000-08:00

Each year in Ontario, GROWMARK awards $4,000 in scholarship funds to several exemplary students attending the University of Guelph.

The award winners must have completed six credits of the B.Sc. Ag program or B.Comm. Agri Business or four credits of the Associate Diploma Programs at any campus of the Ontario Agriculture College. Students must have an average of 70%, demonstrated leadership abilities and have been involved in extracurricular activities, community service or agricultural employment. The University is responsible for the selection process.

This year’s recent Ontario scholarship winners are:

University of Guelph, Ontario Agriculture College, Guelph Campus:

Matthew Setzkorn of Franklin, PA, USA—B.Sc. Ag-Agroecosystems
Shuang Li, of Guangxi, China ---B.Sc. Ag Economics

Presenting GROWMARK OAC scholarship awards to Shuang Li and Matthew Setzkorn at Guelph Campus is Janice Johnson, marketing and communication specialist, GROWMARK Ontario Region.

University of Guelph, Ontario Agriculture College, Ridgetown Campus:

Matthew Finch of Belmont, ON – Associate diploma in Agriculture
Lorraine Kroes of Clinton, ON-Associate diploma in Horticulture

Presenting GROWMARK OAC scholarship awards to Lorraine Kroes and Matthew Finch at Ridgetown College Campus is Clark Aitken, crop sales specialist with AGRIS Co-operative Ltd.

University of Guelph, OAC- Kemptville College:

Jacob Droogh of North Gower ON (Associate Diploma in Agriculture)

University of Guelph, OAC- Campus d'Alfred (received May 2009):

Jean-Michel Provost of Chrysler, ON (Association Diploma in Horticulture)
Daniel Poirier of Lefaivre, ON (Associate Diploma in Agriculture)

Congratulations to all 2009 GROWMARK FS Co-operative Scholarship winners!

Health and Safety Day gets excellent reviews

2009-12-23T08:09:00.000-08:00

Earlier this month more than 30 FS Ontario System employees attended a full day of interacting and learning about a variety of health and safety topics held at the Holiday Inn in Kitchener.

Erin Aldred, GROWMARK Ontario Health and Safety Specialist introduced the group to a number of internal and external speakers that covered topics such as transportation updates, emergency response planning and how to conduct an effective accident investigation.

GROWMARK Senior Trainer Barry Hannah presented the final session that focused on the subject of diversity in the workplace. With the changing work force in the province this program gives staff a better understanding of how to prevent workplace inequities and create a more harmonious work environment. The program is called Drop by Drop and is now available to Ontario members who are interested.

The overall event was rated very positively by participants and Aldred plans to host this event on an annual basis. If you have suggestions on topics that you would like to see on the next agenda, please contact Erin at 519-895-5358 or email her at ealdred@growmark.com

Erin Aldred GROWMARK Health and Safety specialist (L) rewards participants that answer questions at recent Health and Safety Day. Robert Sauder senior operator and safety representative for FS PARTNERS Drayton branch receives candy for knowing general health and safety knowledge.

Cowan, Campbell and Hale elected to leadership roles with OABA

2009-12-08T05:59:00.000-08:00

At last week’s Ontario Agri-Business Association’s Annual Convention, three representatives from the Ontario FS System were elected to prominent positions within the association.

The two day convention began Tues. Dec. 1, and was attended by approximately 400 OABA members and supporters in Toronto at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

Dale Cowan, senior agronomist with Southern Co-operative Services was elected president of the Board for a one-year term after serving as vice president for the OABA board last year.

Cowan has been actively involved with OABA and its predecessors

The Fertilizer Institute of Ontario and The Ontario Grain and Feed Dealers since 1985 and has served in several leadership roles and on various ad hoc committees tackling everything from nutrient management to source water protection. He was also chair of OABA’s Crop Input Committee, a director on the board for the past five years and on the executive for the last two years as treasurer and vice-president.

Frank Campbell, GROWMARK Ontario marketing director was elected for the first time as director to the OABA board after his name was submitted by the nomination committee and then approved by the membership on Dec. 1st. Campbell will serve a three-year term.

Larry Hale, area manager for FS PARTNERS, a division of GROWMARK Inc. served as vice chair of OABA’s Crops Input Section last year, and has now been elected to chair the Section for a one-year term. As chair, Hale will also have a seat on the OABA board along with two other chairpersons that will represent grain and feed.

The Crops Input Committee deals with issues that impact crop input retailers and the members of the association. The committee also acts as liaison between OABA and key industry organizations such as the Canadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI), Canadian Association of Agri Retailers (CAAR), Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) and Crop Life.

This year marks the 10th anniversary for the Ontario Agri Business Association (OABA). It is a voluntary, non-profit organization that serves to represent the interests of country grain elevators, feed manufacturing facilities and crop input supply business, operating out of 406 business locations throughout Ontario. The Association also represents approximately 200 associated businesses that provide products and services to the crop input, grain and feed industry.

A Daly Tribute

2009-11-17T10:15:00.000-08:00

By Claude Gauthier, GROWMARK Ontario Region manager

Bernie Daly
GROWMARK Ontario Region Manager
2004-2009

The opening article in this newsletter used to be called Daly Notes and was filled with the late Bernie Daly’s personal accounts on special events and important topics that he wanted to share with you. He took pride in sending you the Your Ontario Vision newsletter and saw this as a very important tool to keep us all up to speed with what is going on with the GROWMARK Ontario Region, its FS member co-ops, partners and subsidiaries, our youth programs and the co-operative sector. Since the passing of Bernie Daly this spring, so much has happened in the way of keeping his presence alive and honouring all that he stood for in our organizations and communities.
I was honoured to be a part of the recent Ontario Co-operative Association Gala and Spirit Awards and felt especially privileged to have the opportunity to present the Ontario Co-operative Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing Bernie for his 30 years of commitment to the co-operative agriculture sector.
Accepting the Ontario Co-operative Lifetime Achievement Award for the late Bernie Daly are Bernie’s sons and wife, Matt (L), Sandy and Ryan. Claude Gauthier presented the award to the Daly family.

At the On Co-op Gala we were pleased to announce that so far more than $37,000 has been raised towards the development of the Co-operative Young Leaders program through the Bernie Daly Memorial Fund. Youth development was very important to Bernie and one of his goals before he passed was to find a way to help support CYL in a bigger way. The monies collected for the fund will first ensure that every young person that wants to attend camp will have the opportunity to do so. Secondly, funds will be used to enhance the program with new equipment or innovative programs. Thank you to all who contributed and please note that the fund will be ongoing and is always open for donations going forward. Organizations or individuals in all co-op sectors are invited to participate in the Bernie Daly Memorial Fund. Through an arrangement with the Ontario Credit Charitable Foundation, all donations are tax deductible. To download a contribution form, visit http://www.ontario.coop/. For more information, contact Sonja Carriere at On Co-op at 519-763-8271 x29.

This spring we also finished what Bernie had begun by finalizing the transistion of FS PARTNERS and its 22 locations to becoming a division of GROWMARK after the majority of farmer-members of Waterloo-Oxford Co-operative and Inland Co-operative voted to sell substantially all their assets to GROWMARK.

At the same time, GROWMARK saw an opportunity to build on an existing partnership and increased its financial commitment and level of partnership in Great Lakes Grain, including the addition of its FS PARTNERS’ branded grain sites throughout southwestern and central Ontario.

Under this partnership between GROWMARK and AGRIS Co-operative, Great Lakes Grain is now one of the largest grain merchandising companies in Ontario. The new organization has a 60-per-cent increase in capacity and a trade area stretching from Windsor through Toronto and to north of Georgian Bay, offering grain marketing services on a wide range of commodities to area farmers.

These recent moves underline GROWMARK’s commitment and Bernie Daly's dedication to the Ontario co-op system for the long term.

GROWMARK reports a "Successful year"

2009-11-16T10:19:00.000-08:00

GROWMARK officials have reported results for the fiscal year that ended August 31. Senior Vice President of Finance Jeff Solberg announced sales of $6.1 billion for the 2008-09 fiscal year, GROWMARK net income is $96.9 million.

“The 2009 fiscal year has been challenging for many farmers as they attempted to plant a crop with extremely volatile pricing for fuel, fertilizer, and grain,” said Bill Davisson, GROWMARK chief executive officer. “Overall, I believe this has been a successful year on many fronts, and when looked at historically, this is still the third-highest income in our history.”

More than $82 million in patronage refunds will be returned to GROWMARK member co-operatives. Ontario member co-ops will receive 1.4 million of the total patronage issued in the form of stocks and cash.

Denyse Guy, executive director of the Ontario Co-operative Association, was honored with the Friend of GROWMARK Award at annual meeting. “Denyse has a history of supporting GROWMARK and its programs and activities by positioning GROWMARK as a very credible co-operative enterprise in the Ontario community,” said Jim Hoyt, GROWMARK vice president of strategic planning and corporate services. In her role as executive director, Guy serves as a resource and voice for credit unions and co-operatives in Ontario, Canada. On Co-op partners with GROWMARK to enhance awareness about co-operatives and provide programs and services that strengthen, support, and promote the co-operative sector throughout the province.

The Friend of GROWMARK award was established in 1989 to recognize outstanding leadership and commitment to agriculture, and friendship to the GROWMARK System. Since its inception, more than 25 individuals and organizations have been honored.

Denyse Guy, On Co-op executive director receives Friend of GROWMARK Award. On her left is Barry Hannah of GROWMARK Ontario Region and Bruce Betzner, Co-op Young Leader representative on her right.

The youth segment of the annual meeting was changed slightly this year with our young leaders presenting their views to the evening banquet audience the night before the official annual meeting. Bruce Betzner from the Lynden area represented Ontario with pride. He spoke on his involvement with the Co-operative Young Leaders Program and on his approach to fostering new young leaders. Bruce graduated from CYL two years ago and now facilitates at camp. He is also one of six 4-H Ambassadors chosen this year to promote 4-H throughout the province. Each year, six Ontario youth representing Junior Farmers Association of Ontario, CYL and 4-H Ontario travel to Chicago to take part in the three-day event.

Ontario youth representatives at 2009 GROWMARK, Inc. Annual Meeting:
(L-R) Lea-Anne Budge of Bolton and Sarah Hohnstein of Mildmay representing Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario, 4-H Ontario Ambassador Olivia Groniger of Carlsbad Springs, Barry Hannah GROWMARK Ontario Region senior trainer and this year’s youth chaperone, 4-H Ontario Ambassador, Co-operative Young Leader (CYL) representative and annual meeting youth speaker Bruce Betzner of Lynden, 4-H Ontario Ambassador Stephanie Warner of Hastings and Ed Sauve of Woodslee representing CYL.

Top 20% Improvement Award recipients for fiscal 2008 (granted in 2009)

2009-11-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

GROWMARK Business Performance Awards went to Madoc Co-operative Association, Peterborough District Co-operative Services, AGRIS Co-operative Ltd., La Co-operative Agricole d’Embrun Ltd., Sunderland Co-operative Ltd. and Wanstead Farmers Co-operative Co. Ltd. with two awards, giving Ontario a total of seven Top 20% Improvement Awards.

Award categories are listed below:

Ontario school buses are running cleaner thanks to FS PARTNERS

2009-11-15T12:21:00.000-08:00

After 14 months of negotiation, FS PARTNERS Energy Division closed a deal with Student Transportation of Canada that provides more than 1,200 school buses with cleaner-burning biodiesel fuel.

Student Transportation of Canada began its transition to biodiesel with FS PARTNERS in 2008 with Simcoe Coach Lines in Sutton and Parkview Transit in Caledon. “Since then, we have been supplying the school bus fleets with high quality biodiesel blends through GROWMARK's distribution channels and expertise,” said Andrew Troyer, FS PARTNERS director of energy. “Biodiesel is a fairly new product to most, but to GROWMARK, biofuels have been a major component of the Energy Division for more than ten years. I guess you could say we are veterans of a new product!”

Over the past two years, STC has continued to expand its cleaner fuel program throughout Ontario. Tom O’Neill, FS PARTNERS energy sales manager says that being involved with STC at the beginning of its push to convert to bio blended fuels gave them the opportunity to get in from the ground up. “What put us ahead of the competition is that we not only provide a quality product, but we also offer flexible services and are available to fuel up anytime of the day or night,” says O’Neill.

Established in 1997, Student Transportation of Canada is the fourth largest provider of school bus transportation services in North America and currently operates 6,300 school vehicles in North America.

This new account with FS PARTNERS will amount to sales of approximately 5.8 million litres delivered each year, resulting in countless reduced emissions and represents a changing mindset and commitment to renewable fuels.

FS PARTNERS Energy division works with Student Transportation of Canada in supplying bio fuels to its school bus fleets in Ontario. From L-R Ken Gill, Student Transportation of Canada Inc. regional maintenance manager, Chris Harwood, STC senior vice president – Canadian Operations, Andrew Troyer, FS PARTNERS director of energy, Tom O'Neill, FS PARTNERS energy sales manager.

In 2008, GROWMARK was recognized by the National Biodiesel Board for its impact on the biodiesel industry with “The Eye on Biodiesel – Impact Award”.

Lookin' Good tour shows postive results

2009-11-15T11:31:00.000-08:00

For more than ten years now, a good number of Ontario member co-op facilities have been assessed under the FS Lookin’ Good program. This year, 82 per cent of the locations assessed, received a passing score of more than 75 per cent or higher.

North Wellington Co-operative Services received the overall top mark of 88 per cent for all locations combined.

If you would like to get a copy of this record of achievement for your co-operative, please contact Amy Baillie at 519-895-4259.

New training modules and updates

2009-11-15T09:36:00.000-08:00

Submitted by Barry Hannah, GROWMARK senior trainer

Earlier this fall, 23 Ontario FS Co-operative and GROWMARK employees attended a new program offered through GROWMARK’s Career Development called Operations Management Clinic”. This program offers solutions to help branch managers make good, sound business decisions in regards to people, facilities, equipment, inventories and other resources.

The two day program was facilitated by Jim Hoffman, Western Region field trainer and Barry Hannah, Ontario Region senior trainer and is one of many ongoing training opportunities for FS System employees in Ontario.

AGRIS Co-operative and Wanstead Farmers Co-operative are the first in the province to schedule Career Developments newest program for sales personnel PT205-Creating Value Added Proposals. This one-day program supports the two-day session called Successful Selling Clinic. You may book this program directly or it will also be offered to you on a needs basis scheduled for the province.

Other training interests:
Vineland Growers Co-operative Ltd. requested a program for all staff on the subject of diversity in the workplace. The program is called Drop by Drop and is now available to other Ontario members that are interested. With the changing work force in the province this program gives staff a better understanding of how to prevent workplace inequities and create a more harmonious work environment.

PS II Empowering Your People will be facilitated on Dec. 9 and 10 at the Kitchener Holiday Inn. Larry Hoyt, GROWMARK corporate leadership development manager will be one of the facilitators for this session. Staff that attended PSI will be automatically enrolled for this program to continue their series of training including PSIII-Improving Employee Job Performance and PSIV-Building Work Groups. Staff are not required to take the programs in sequence and can parachute into any and all of the PS Series at any time. If you wish to enroll in PSII or any of the programs mentioned above, please contact Barry Hannah at 519-895-4231 or inquire on GROWMARK's Eresource site at http://lifelonglearning.growmark.com/index.asphumanresources

FS Crop Specialists training commitments show positive growth

2009-11-15T08:43:00.000-08:00

As part of GROWMARK’s agronomic plans, FS sales staff throughout Ontario and the U.S. are on an ongoing training path to obtaining their CCA (Certified Crop Advisers) and eventually CCS (Certified Crop Specialists) designations.

“In the last couple of years there has been a steady increase in the number of FS Crop Specialists obtaining their CCS status. There is a commitment and focus to have the best agronomy sales force in Ontario,” says Frank Campbell, GROWMARK Ontario Region marketing director.

Currently the FS System has 51 full time crop specialists, 46 CCA’s in Ontario with 25 people scheduled to write their CCA exam in February 2010. Individuals will need to sign up by Dec. 1 to be eligible to write the exam.

Please contact Frank Campbell, Bill Brown or Barry Hannah if you want more information on this topic.

See chart below that lists current CCS status FS Crop Specialists:

FS Agronomy Conference coming soon

2009-11-15T08:39:00.000-08:00

FS System Agronomy Conference will be held again in Grand Bend on Feb.17-19 with a somewhat different agenda than in previous years. The theme for this year’s conference will be "The Three W's" (Who are we? What do we do? and Why does it matter?). The agenda is currently being developed and more information will be available closer to the conference.

GROWMARK/FS Government Relations Strategy moving full speed ahead

2009-11-14T12:36:00.000-08:00

Submitted by Audrey Aczel, Ontario Co-operative Association public affairs manager
In October 2008, GROWMARK and the FS Co-operatives, with the guidance of the Ontario Co-operative Association, formed its first ever government relations committee, out of a recognized need to raise the profile of Ontario’s agricultural co-operative sector to the province. Chaired by Claude Gauthier, GROWMARK Ontario Region manager, and four other FS representatives from AGRIS Co-operative Ltd., Vineland Growers Co-operative Ltd., Co-operative Regionale de Nipissing Sudbury and Madoc Co-operative Association. Denyse Guy, executive director and Audrey Aczel, public affairs manager, from the Ontario Co-operative Association, round out the committee.
What have we done to date?
Over the past year, the committee has been hard at work getting organized and meeting a number of its deliverables that include:

• Holding four committee meetings, and attending two FS System General Manager meetings and the FS Summit.

• Developing an operational plan as both a guideline and a way to track the progress of the government relations strategy.

• Identifying and mapping out the GROWMARK/FS presence across provincial electoral ridings.

• Creating a statistical and historical overview of the GROWMARK System, to be used as an educational piece when meeting with government officials.

• Identifying and developing briefs on three key issues affecting FS Co-ops, to be used as an advocacy tool when meeting with MPPs and key ministries.

• Developing a government relations toolkit to equip future co-op advocates with the necessary guidance and resources.

• Attending 2009 Queen’s Park reception with 24 MPPs present, and several FS representatives having the opportunity to speak directly with the Minister of Agriculture, Leona Dombrowsky.

• Attending three government meetings to lobby for changes to the Municipal Tax Act and to promote the local food movement, including: Lou Rinaldi (Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture), Wayne Arthurs (Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance) and Peter Hargreave (former Senior Policy Advisor to Minister of Government Services).

• Drafting and distributing a motion and brief on the 50% Rule, in an effort to achieve a consensus on its removal from the Ontario Co-operative Corporations Act. To date, nine FS co-ops have passed and one co-op has defeated the motion.

• Establishing a SharePoint site where the committee members can easily and efficiently share and access information relevant to the government relations strategy.

What’s planned for the New Year?
In the first quarter of the New Year, the committee is aiming to meet with officials from the Ministries of Agriculture, Finance, Economic Development and Trade, as well as the Premier’s office, and hoping to participate in a Liberal rural caucus meeting. In addition to building these crucial relationships, they will begin identifying and building up a base of “co-op advocates” in each of the 25 plus electoral ridings where FS co-operatives are located. Their primary role would be to assist the committee members in meeting with and educating their local MPPs on a number of key issues affecting the sector, and to help raise awareness for a provincial Co-operative Secretariat.

What is the ultimate goal?
It is the committee’s hope that through a co-ordinated government relations strategy and implementation of an advocacy campaign specific to the needs of FS co-ops, that they will gain the awareness and support they rightfully deserve from our provincial public policy movers and shakers.

For more information, please contact Audrey Aczel at 519.763.8271 x.24

Nipissing Sudbury Co-op acquires retail bulk fuel business

2009-11-14T12:11:00.000-08:00

New growth for Co-opérative Régionale de Nipissing Sudbury Ltd.’s operation took place in mid August with the acquisition of a heating, farming and commercial fuels business, Norstar Petroleum Ltd.

In the greater Sudbury area, Norstar Petroleum provides local customers with much of the same products already offered to Co-opérative Régionale de Nipissing Sudbury customers from its eight branches located throughout the Nipissing, Temiskaming and Algoma regions.

Norstar Petroleum will continue to operate its long haul bulk fuel trucking business under the same name and will manage the heating, farming and commercial business for Co-opérative Régionale.

NWC turns 65, CCA turns 100

2009-11-13T13:53:00.000-08:00

NWC is 65 years old

Earlier this summer North Wellington Co-operative Services celebrated it 65th anniversary and simultaneously held a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony introducing customers to a new larger and efficient warehouse in Harriston.

Kelly Boyle, general manager of North Wellington Co-op and staff generously cooked up a feast of more than 1,300 barbeque hamburgers served to local residents who dropped by to celebrate the anniversary.

Co-op Advantage Magazine now 10 years old

Co-op Advantage magazine is distributed each year around Co-op Week, to the co-operative sector and features the successes and diversity of co-ops throughout Ontario. There are several stories in this year’s magazine that highlight or reference GROWMARK and the FS Co-operatives and would be of interest to your staff, directors or customers. Contact Mark Ventry at On Co-op to place your order.

CCA turns 100
The Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. To mark 100 years of an organized Anglophones co-operative movement in Canada, CCA’S 100th Anniversary National Congress took place this summer in Ottawa.

To commemorate this event Canada's prominent co-operative historian, Dr. Ian MacPherson, and the Canadian Co-operative Association proudly presented a fascinating limited edition commemorative account of Canada's first 100 years of co-operative history.

The book, named A Century of Co-operation captures the depth and diversity of co-operation in Canada, reliving its evolution and celebrating its legacy. Woven throughout the book is a rich collection of images from across Canada, illustrating co-operative history from the early days of the 20th century to the present time. The book can be purchased through CCA for $50 or email Tanya Gracie at the Canadian Co-operative Association.

Greatest Canadian Co-operator
Alphonse Desjardins, the father of Canada's caisse populaire movement and founder of Canada's sixth largest financial institution, has been named history's "Greatest Canadian Co-operator" following an online vote by more than 8,000 people across the country.

GROWMARK, Inc. is proud to be a primary sponsor of the Co-operative Development Foundation On-Line Auction. Visit http://www.realauction.ca/cdfc/en/ to shop for great Christmas ideas and at the same time support local and global communities through the help of CDF.

AGRIS Co-operative sails aboard a Canadian Navy frigate

2009-11-13T12:32:00.000-08:00

On Sept. 11, a group of 21 AGRIS Co-operative sales representatives and guests boarded the HMCS Ville de Quebec Canadian Navy frigate that has served in the Canadian Forces since 1993.

The experience was made possible by AGRIS Co-operative agronomy specialist Chuck Belanger who has been with AGRIS for six years but also boasts an extraordinary past career as a Petty Officer (2nd Class) with the Canadian Forces.

It was through Belanger’s reconnection with an old navy buddy, Mario Couture, the ship’s underwater warfare director that allowed him to construct his idea of introducing the AGRIS Co-operative sales team to this unique experience.

“This is not your ordinary venue for a team-building exercise,” says Belanger. “But what better place to observe and learn first hand about exceptional leadership, teamwork and communication skills than on board the pride of the Canadian Navy.”

Camaraderie, team work and a sense of family is how Chuck Belanger describes his experience with the Canadian Navy. He was raised on a cash crop farm near Pain Court, Ontario and at the young age of 17, decided to explore a bigger world by joining the Canadian Navy. He spent the next ten years of his life devoted to his ships and his country.

During his navy career, he was on board HMCS Skeena, HMCS Algonquin, CFS Shelburne and was involved in missions that involved NATO task forces, coastal and Cold War deployments. After 9 years, Belanger was promoted to Petty Officer (2nd Class) and led an 11-man team of seamen. Being a family man, he later decided to leave the navy and devote more time to his other family at home.

“Through generous contacts Belanger has with his former shipmates serving aboard the HMCS Ville de Quebec, we were able to be a part of a very special journey that allowed AGRIS staff to observe the skills demonstrated by the crew and take these lessons back to the co-operative enhancing our ability to work with our farm-customers,” says David Malott, president of AGRIS Co-op.

“The captain and crew on board the Ville de Quebec were outstanding,” says Belanger. They spoke about the day-to-day operations with an open and honest approach. Their sense of pride and fulfillment was apparent throughout the day making me feel like I was right back at sea and it gave the group an intimate perspective of what navy life is like.”

Travelling from Sarnia to Windsor, Ontario, the day consisted of many informative tours throughout the ship, networking with the crew and a bbq lunch on deck.

Just after 11 am, a tribute was performed with a commemorative 11 round gun-fire salute to honour those who have suffered or lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

The ceremonial blasts were heard for miles as the HMCS Ville de Quebec travelled down the St. Clair River and approached the monumental Bluewater Bridge that links Michigan and Ontario. Hundreds of supporters gathered along the shores of the riverbank to cheer and share a moment of silence. Transport trucks lined the bridge above, sounding their horns in a way that seemed to harmonize with the voices of the enthusiastic crowds on shore. One crewman commented as he looked out at a crowd of young primary school children cheering on shore that this public relations mission has been a very heartwarming and gratifying journey.

The Ville de Quebec departed from Halifax on August 26 on the 2009 Great Lakes Deployment for a month-long, 11-city tour along Quebec and Ontario shorelines to raise the Canadian Force’s profile and highlight the ship’s national and international contributions, with a focus on bolstering Navy recruitment. “Even from a distance on shore, six miles out in Lake Huron, the HMCS Ville de Quebec-FFH 332 looks intimidating and impressive,” says Terry Stevenson, AGRIS Co-operative communication manager. A Halifax-class frigate, the Ville de Quebec, measuring 134.2 metres in length, a range of 9,500 nautical miles and a regular crew of 228, she is heavily-armed with sophisticated radar controlled weapon systems, equipment and technology. Her most recent mission involved protecting food supply ships from pirates off the coast of Somalia.

Just before docking in Windsor, AGRIS Co-operative showed their gratitude for the day by presenting the Captain and Coxswain of the ship with a plaque. During this brief presentation, Belanger commented half jokingly by saying, I am thinking of re-enlisting!

From R-L
Chuck Belanger, AGRIS Co-operative agronomy specialist, presents a gift to the Ville de Quebec Captain Luc Cassava and Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Keith Davidson along with David Malott, AGRIS Co-operative president and Larry Pajot, vice-president.

GROWMARK and UPI Energy proud sponsors 4-H Ontario Ambassadors

2009-11-13T08:48:00.000-08:00

This year marks the fourth year for the 4-H Ontario Ambassador Program. Each year the FS System has been proud supporters of the program where five or six senior 4-H members are selected to represent 4-H at a variety of events throughout the province.

In the summer, the Ambassadors participated in on one-day tour of the FS System in Ontario to learn more about their sponsors. On the tour, Ambassadors visited a Swipe & Go fueling station in Alma, North Wellington Co-operative Services in Harriston, a grain facility in Ayr and UPI Energy's bulk plant in Guelph.

Ambassadors are available to speak at special events at your co-operative, so please keep this in mind during the year when planning annual meetings or other prominent events.

From L-R

2009 4-H Ontario Ambassadors:

Olivia Groniger of Carlsbad Springs, Morgan Kluka of Chatham, Cory Ward of Woodstock, Barry Hannah of GROWMARK, Bruce Betzner of Lynden, Asley Pulver of Carrying Place and Stephanie Warner of Hastings.

FS System in Ontario takes part in province wide CleanFARMS collection program

2009-11-12T13:14:00.000-08:00

For three days in late October, farmers were able to bring their obsolete pesticides, unused animal health products and used sharps (needles, syringes and scalpel blades) to a series of 16 collection sites across Ontario for a safe and environmentally responsible disposal system. There was no cost for this service to farmers and all organizations volunteered their time and labour to the success of the program.

FS hosted five drop off locations at GROWMARK’s Ontario Distribution Centre in Kitchener, North Wellington Co-operative Services in Harriston, Huron Bay Co-operative in Dundalk, Vineland Growers Co-operative in Jordon Station, Thunder Bay Co-operative Farm Supplies and Co-operative Regional de Nipissing Sudbury in Thornloe.

From all accounts, the program at the FS locations was an overall success:

Dave Rogers, Dundalk branch manager for Huron Bay Co-operative reported an overwhelming response with the allocated canisters overflowing to almost filling a full trailer load. “There was a much larger number of farmers in with obsolete crop protection products than ever projected,” says Rogers.

Scott Wright, Vineland Growers Co-operative purchasing manager and health and safety management co-chair says that they didn’t expect a big response, but he was proven wrong. “During the three days we received product from 101 farms, three other dealers and one government agency. In total we filled 16 totes, six barrels, 13 skids and five boxes of animal health. This could not have been accomplished without the help from several volunteers,” says Wright.

Jeff McCallum, communications and marketing specialist for North Wellington Co-operative Services in Harriston said that farmers were very positive about the program and that almost half of the participants traveled more than 40 kilometers to get there with the furthest coming from about 80 kilometers away.

Ben Postuma, general manager of Thunder Bay Co-operative was impacted greatly. “I commend the chemical companies for their efforts in this program and am totally impressed with the amount of clean up this created in the local area." he says.

Pesticide collection programs have been run in Canada by CropLife Canada since 1998 under the CleanFARMS banner. More than 270,000 kilograms of obsolete product have been collected in Ontario during previous collection campaigns in 2001 and 2005.

This program is co-ordinated by AGCare with financial support from CropLife Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Other project partners include Ontario Farm Animal Council, Canadian Animal Health Institute, Ontario Veterinary Medical Association and Ontario Agri Business Association. For more information, visit www.agcare.org or www.ofac.org .

Frank Galfusz, GROWMARK Ontario Distribution Centre shift supervisor proudly displays the mass of collected obsolete products that he helped compile. The accumulation consisted of three boxes of animal health medication, a box of sharps and 20 skids and three drums of obsolete pesticides. “The oldest product collected was lead arsenic that had a Pesticide Control Products registration number of 19, which suggests that it was the 19th product registered with the Act in Canada,” says Galfusz.

Rolling out the new 2009/10 fall and winter FS Ontario Uniform Program

2009-11-11T12:25:00.000-08:00

The current fall and winter FS Ontario Uniform program has been recently sent to you via email. You can also access it on GROWMARK’s eresource under communications and marketing/ID and Apparel tab.

If you need help in locating a specific item for you or your employees, please don’t hesitate to contact Janice Johnson.

Claude Gautier featured in ICA newsletter

2009-11-10T13:05:00.000-08:00

Claude Gauthier, president of the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) and Ontario Region manager of GROWMARK, Inc. was the subject of a feature interview in the International Co-operative Alliance's Americas newsletter.

Gauthier, who was elected CCA president last June, deals with a wide range of issues in the interview, including unity between anglophone and francophone co-operators, member participation in co-ops and the impact of the economic crisis on the co-op sector.

Click here to download the newsletter in PDF format.

Cool new logo from the Grain Farmers of Ontario

2009-11-10T12:50:00.000-08:00

Taken from Owen Roberts article September 3rd, 2009

The Grain Farmers of Ontario unveiled a new logo, and I find it really impressive. Kim Ratz, production coordinator for the organization’s magazine (and official logo keeper) tells me “the circular shape represents a round table, farmers-helping-farmers approach, encompassing a big-picture view of Ontario’s grains and oilseeds crops. And the patchwork quilt design pays homage to the proud heritage upon which the grain farmers are building.” The logo was developed through the organization’s internal communications committee and its branding firm.

Send us your stories! Your comments and ideas are always welcome!

2009-11-09T06:35:00.000-08:00