Each October, cooperatives across the United States celebrate National Cooperative Month, highlighting the power of doing business with your local co-op.

CHS Inc., a diversifi ed global agribusiness cooperative, is proud to be the nation’s largest farmer- owned co-op.

Our 10,000-plus dedicated employees around the globe have a singular purpose: creating connections to empower agriculture.

For Jason Kroener, senior

director of operations for the CHS ag retail location based in Okarche, creating value for local cooperative members and customers is a high priority.

“We continue to focus on investing in areas that create value today and into the future,” said Kroener. “We invest in our local communities and in infrastructure and supply chain capabilities that provide farmers access to markets throughout the world.”

Sharing in a cooperative’s profit through patronage and equity is another key benefit to doing business with your local co-op.

In September, CHS Inc. announced it intends to return $600 million in cash patronage and equity redemptions to its owners in calendar year 2025.

The planned distribution is a tangible demonstration of the cooperative’s commitment to sharing profits with its owners and strengthening rural communities.

National Cooperative Month is a time to reflect on the strong history of local co-ops and look towards the future.

“We are here for our local farmers, developing and delivering innovative solutions to plant, grow, harvest and bring crops to market,” Kroener said.

“We’re working together for shared success and to make a lasting impact on the communities where we live and work.”