By Elaine Rassel
In 1989 a ballot was put forth to the members, proposing to merge the Farmers Coop with Cleghorn and Cherokee and also the Larrabee Farmers Coop. This ballot was passed at all the coops.
The next decision was what to name the new cooperative. With Marcus being the oldest continuous cooperative in the nations, they didn’t want to lose their identity, so the new coop was named “First Farmers Cooperative Elevator.” It was then decided to make the general office at Cleghorn because it was in the meddle of the territory. The following year, First Farmers Coop purchased Frederickson Grain Company in Meriden. This brought the total of five locations together to form the First Farmers Cooperative Elevator.
Since the merger, the Marcus and Larrabee feed mills have been upgraded. Marcus installed a new roller grinder, bulk choice white grease and a computer batching system. The roller grinder was moved from Cleghorn to Larrabee. Bulk choice white grease and a storage bin for quick grain pick up was added. A 212,000 bushel bin was put up in Cherokee in August of 1995. A new fertilizer and chemical plant was built in Cleghorn in 1995 and 1996 to accommodate all the locations. A mission statement was adopted which set forth: “First Farmers Cooperative exists to provide services and markets that enhance patrons’ operations and ensure the stability of the cooperative.”
The second period of major construction occurred in 1954-1955. A 250,000 bu. Concrete elevator was completed, with the open house on May 14, 1955. The 146 ft. structure, comprising nine silos, each 18 ft. wide, cost $150,000. Over half of the that amount was obtained from local investors by the sale of building notes; the remainder was borrowed from the Omaha Bank for Cooperatives.
Members of the board in 1955 were: Will Berger, president; D.C. Drefke, vice-president; Jams Brady, secretary-treasurer; Lee Grauer, George Lutkins, Leo Alesch, Elon Kirchoff, Lester Brigs and Roy E. Nelson.
A 24,000 bushel elevator annex was completed in the fall 1968. The six concrete silos, each 22 ft. wide, measured 130 ft in height. The total cost for the annex, with hot spot detectors installed was $150,000. The board of directors in 1968 included: William J. Berger, president; Cecil Irwin, vice-president; John Reimers, secretary-treasurer; David Kerr, James Cave, Lowell Erickson, Milton Delperdang, Harvey Miller, and Glenn Kirchoff. Intermediate directors, who also served during these 13 years of major construction, were Arlie Grage and Lawrence Wurth.
The directors expanded the interests of the firm to the benefit of the elevator, the community and the region: August 9, 1945-decided to buy $1,000 membership in the Sheldon soybean plant (Big-4); 1949 purchased stock in the Marcus Fair Association; bout $500 stock in Greater Marcus, Inc.; January 10, 1953; in 1954 became a member of the Omaha Bank for Cooperatives; October 1957 put $100 in CCA feed plant at Ida Grove; $1000 stock in Marcus Medical Center purchased in 1960; joined Iowa Institute for Cooperation in 1962; bought $1,000 stock in Marcus Golf Club; 1963; gave $100 to 1966 MHS band uniform drive; March 1967, $100 donation to Emergency Truck Fund.
A number of social events have been held in conjunction with the elevator. In August 1919, the members had a basket dinner in Frank Beck’s (Galigan’s) grove, 1/2W and 1/2N of town. The local traveler, H. M. Ferrin, told of his visits in 17 states with a wagon pulled by two mules. A cracker eating contest, fat man’s race, tug ‘o war and baseball were other diversions.
The annual meeting in 1955 was held in the drive of the new concrete elevator; ice cream was distributed, also free tickets to the Marland Theatre featuring “Davy Crockett.” The next year, the annual was observed in one of the new steel buildings. The first banquet for the membership occurred August 6, 1958; ladies of Holy Name Church served an average of 400 people at this event each year.
Employees in 1971 were: Charles Beaton, John Clarkson, Don Drefke, Robert Ruden, Sylvan Schuknecht, Dennis Nelson, Dale Dorr, Chuck Gerringer, Bert Ahrens, Leonard Schnoes, Ray Flanagan, Dick Schroeder, Harold Bolton, manager.
The 1970-1971 board of directors included: Lowell Eriksen,
president; William J. Berger, vice-president; John Reimers, secretary; David Kerr, James Cave, Harvey Miller, Milton Delperdang, James Alesch, Lawrence Wurth.
As of May 31, 1970, the elevator had total assets of $1,082,871. The allocated patronage refunds amounted to $383,609. The Marcus Elevator New, issued monthly since October 1970, keeps the patrons informed as to the operation of their cooperative.