Announcements and News
The 2011 Tomorrow’s Agribusiness Leaders class traveled to Topeka for two days and completed Session I. During which, the class enjoyed a policy breakfast with Senator Jerry Moran and received a briefing on the challenges facing the 2011 Congress. This gave the class a taste of things to come when they travel to Washington D.C. in July. They were thrilled to meet the newly elected Senator, and as always, he was gracious and accommodating.
They also met with Kansas Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Chris Wilson, received a colorful critique of the new legislature and administration from Associated Press Reporter John Hanna, and introduced themselves and the TAL program to numerous State Legislators. In addition to the “Rock Star” stuff, they received KGFA/KARA staff briefings on the legislative process and the roles and history of the associations. They also received training on effective lobbying methods and put those practices to good use during Legislative Action Day while wrapping up the second day TAL Session I.
The 2011 class showed astute talent in communicating the association’s message to the Legislature, and we anticipate that they will continue to excel during future TAL Sessions. This class showed they truly are the best and brightest in the industry, and they would not be here if it weren’t for the generous voluntary contributions we solicit from you.
The next TAL session is in July and entails traveling to Washington D.C. and meeting with our Congressmen, industry leaders and other officials. The TAL class will sneak in a little sightseeing as well.
2011 TAL Class: (l-r) Bob Standage, KFSA, Colby; Dan Brubeck, Farmers Coop Elevator, Sabetha; Kelly Farrell, Farrell Growth Group, Liberty, MO; Ryan Elgin, Syngenta Crop Protection, Beloit; Kathryn Taylor, Dow AgroSciences, Manhattan; Donny Huber, WindRiver Grain, Garden City; Janet Bear, Frontier Ag, Brewster; Josh Morrill, East Kansas Agri-Energy, Garnett; Jeremy Seyfert, Cargill Ag Horizons, Overland Park; Brad Scheer, Farmers Coop Elevator, Garden Plain.
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A highlight of the 2008 Annual Meeting in San Antonio, was the presentation of the “Chairman’s Service Award” to Ron Farrell, retiring President & CEO of AgGateway, for his outstanding service to AgGateway and the Agriculture industry.
Ron, who was born in Storm Lake, Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Agronomy, has had a long and illustrious career in agriculture. Always a farmer at heart, Ron worked for several ag-based companies over the years, including Union Carbide Ag Chemicals, Shell Chemicals, Brayton Chemicals, and Wilbur-Ellis. Additionally, Ron has been a farmer and operates his own business, Farrell Growth Group.
In 1998, Ron became Executive Director and President of RAPID, Inc., the predecessor to AgGateway. Under his leadership great strides were made in eBusiness within the agriculture industry from which many AgGateway members have benefited significantly. We count among Ron’s numerous accomplishments:
●Transition of RAPID from a for-profit company to a successful non-profit organization
●Creation of ecommerce standards that are now widely accepted in agriculture
●Establishment of a collaborative partnership with CIDX (the chemical industry standards group) for standards development and maintenance
●Consolidation of three disparate databases into one central industry directory (Ag Industry Identification System) to enable effective electronic trade in the crop protection industry
●Implementation of the AEC (Accelerated Electronic Connectivity) project for the Crop Protection industry
●Formation of AgGateway to expand the use of standards and tools developed by RAPID to the agricultural community at large
For the past two years, Ron has dedicated himself to making AgGateway “work”. Serving as Chief Executive Officer and President, he has guided AgGateway to a successful beginning and has established a firm foundation for AgGateway’s future. Those of us who have worked closely with Ron over the years know that he is a man of quality, integrity, and outstanding character.
We are extremely fortunate to have experienced Ron’s leadership and friendship. We will continue to enjoy that good fortune as Ron has agreed to stay on in a limited advisory role with AgGateway. We are certain that Ron will continue to stay active in the agriculture community. If you should happen to encounter him at a meeting, please take the time to thank him for his service to AgGateway and to agriculture as a whole. Thank you, Ron!
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At the September, 2008 CropLife America Board of Directors meeting, Ron Farrell was recognized for his years of service. Ron will be retiring as President of RAPID in January, and we wish to honor his dedication to the industry. He successfully transitioned RAPID from a for-profit company to a successful non-profit organization, and helped with the creation of e-commerce standards that are now widely accepted in agriculture. Ron’s vast contributions have been equaled only by his dedication, and we thank him for his devotion to CLA and to the industry.
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Albert City, Iowa (March 11, 2008) – Ag Partners, a leading agricultural retailer in Northwest Iowa, today announced that it has acquired the agronomy business of C-S Agrow Service Co.
Established in 1976 by Craig Struve, C-S Agrow has grown into a major retailer and service provider to farming operations in Northwest Iowa. “The marketplace is changing and for us to take C-S Agrow to the next level, we needed to align ourselves with a company that has the necessary resources, shares similar values, and has a high level of commitment to customers and the industry” says Craig Struve, principle owner of C-S Agrow. C-S Agrow will retain ownership of its grain equipment business.
“We are excited to be able to partner with such a successful company and team in Northwest Iowa. The partnering of C-S Agrow with Ag Partners supports Ag Partners’ goal of expanding operations and further helping farmers succeed in a challenging and volatile market place” states Troy Upah, CEO of Ag Partners. Ag Partners will operate the C-S Agrow locations in Calumet and Granville under the Ag Partners’ brand. Upah continues, “Agriculture is changing at a rapid pace. Ag Partners’ board of directors and employees recognize the outstanding success of C-S Agrow. We are excited to build on that success.”
Established in1997, Ag Partners is a joint venture between Cargill and ALCECO, a local cooperative with over 850 members. Ag Partners operates seven facilities located throughout Iowa employing 138 people. These locations include retail agronomy outlets, grain facilities, and feed mills. Total sales for the company exceed $200 million dollars annually. In 2007, Ag Partners was recognized for being one of the top 100 Ag Retailers in the United States.
Farrell Growth Group assisted with the transaction. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.
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Ron Farrell Receiving MACA’s Industry Vision Award
The Mid America CropLife Association (MACA) honored several industry, media and academic leaders at its September 2006 annual meeting in St. Louis, MO.
The Association’s Industry Vision Award was presented to Ron Farrell, Farrell Growth Group, LLC and President & Executive Director of RAPID, Inc. The award is presented annually to industry leaders who provide exemplary vision on the issues affecting Midwestern agriculture.
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Farmers National Company (FNC), Omaha, NE, now offers agribusiness valuation services, as well as agribusiness sales and marketing services, through Farmers National Marketing Group, LLC, in partnership with Farrell Growth Group. Bob Dow of Farrell Growth Group will lead the business valuation service. He is a recognized leader in the service of business valuations for agribusinesses. Mr. Dow can provide the agribusiness owner with a full analysis of their operation to not only suggest a selling price, but the analysis is also an excellent tool for marketing and selling the business. It provides the buyer with an objective analysis of potential values and income. FNC provides the real estate sales and marketing expertise needed when a client decides they may want to move to the next step and sell their business. Bob Dow, through Farmers National Marketing Group, has already completed several agribusiness valuations, including a feed business, an ag chemical dealership, and a warehouse operation. |