GROWMARK reports a "Successful year"

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.