Sprucing up for spring

This winter’s unseasonably warm temperatures gave a number of MKC locations a head start on spring cleaning as many have completed minor remodels, removed debris and tore down old buildings.  



The front office at Castleton received a fresh coat of
paint and wood laminate floor.  The counter is
nearing completion.



The office at Castleton now boasts a new look as employees recently replaced the flooring and front counter and added a fresh coat of paint.  Walton has been upgrading several interior offices at the scale office replacing walls, ceiling, floors and light fixtures.  The front counter and floor at Haven are also being replaced.  In McPherson, the old cinderblock petroleum storage shed has been torn down.  Processes are in place to also tear down the old office and warehouse located next to the grain terminal on Main Street in McPherson.  Buhler’s Main Street will also see improvements as the old steel bin has been removed (see video below).

Most of these projects are the direct result of image audits conducted on an annual basis by the MKC Way Committee – a leadership group at MKC.  Costs have been kept to a minimum as employees have performed a large portion of the labor on each of the projects.

When seconds matter

MKC employees practice CPR procedures.

When an adult, child or infant suddenly stops breathing, his or her survival may depend on immediately getting CPR from someone nearby.  According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the use of CPR dates all the way back to 1740, yet even today, most people don’t know how to perform it. 

Each year, MKC offers a first aid and CPR class at no cost to its employees.   This year’s class was taught to more than 50 employees by Robert Hickman, Safety Director for MKC and an AHA certified CPR trainer.  First aid and CPR training are just two of many safety courses offered by MKC each year. 

According to the American Heart Association, effective bystander CPR provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival. 

“We know the time it takes for emergency responders to arrive can be critical,” states  Hickman.  “Training our employees to administer CPR and basic first aid may help save a co-worker, customer or even a loved one.”

Discover the benefits of bulk oil delivery

Nothing beats the proven performance of Cenex® lubricants for your equipment and vehicles.    And when you order bulk oil products from MKC, we’ll deliver them directly to your door.  This provides our customers the peace of mind that they will always have the right oil at the right time.  Best of all – there aren’t any containers to throw away!  For more information about the bulk oil delivery program, contact our petroleum offices at 888-442-0141.

Spotlight on agriculture

MKC Seed & Trait Specialist Fred Seiler speaks about careers
in agriculture before the Inman High School FFA.

In recent months, a number of schools and organizations have contacted MKC to make presentations before their group.  The presentations have included careers in agriculture, agriculture’s impact on the local economy, and developing leaders within our communities.  MKC employees are also available to speak on technology trends in agriculture and where grain “really goes”.    For more information about these presentations, contact Kerry Watson, MKC’s Communications Specialist, at kwatson@mkcoop.com

Third class completes career development program

Twelve MKC employees recently completed the Cloud County Community College Career Development Program – a program designed exclusively for MKC employees.  The program concluded with a graduation ceremony on March 5 in Salina. 



(Back row) Casey Kersten, Matt Henderson, Bret Hartman, Eric Constable,
Jonathan Reazin, Scott Yerges, Daniel Hulse.  (Seated: Cory Elswick, 
 Brandon Schrag, Shannon Hastings, Erin Riley and Austin Greve.)



The career development program is a five-session program that includes public speaking, critical thinking, problem solving, team building, and delegation/supervision.  All sessions were taught by the professional staff from CCCC.  Class members also worked together in teams of three to prepare a presentation on issues they felt affected MKC and offered solutions to the issues.



This is the third year that MKC and CCCC have collaborated together on this career development program.  Thirty-two employees have completed the program.

More storage for crop nutrient products added to Bennington and Lindsborg



Lindsborg



The liquid fertilizer containment facilities at Bennington and Lindsborg recently were upgraded to add more storage.  Lindsborg replaced a small fiberglass tank with a 21,000 gallon tank bringing their total storage capacity to 90,000 gallons.  In Bennington, three steel tanks were replaced with four fiberglass tanks.  The facility increased its storage capacity 43,000 gallons bringing total storage at the site to 75,000 gallons.  Bennington also included new plumbing to allow for higher speed load outs. 

Bennington

All of the work at both locations was completed by MKC employees.  Lindsborg completed their project the first week of March and Bennington is expected to be completed by mid April.





National Ag Day is March 8

By 2050, the global population will reach 9 billion people. Our farmers and ranchers must increase food production, yet be even more efficient with soil, water, seed, fertilizer and all natural resources.

It’s a challenge American agriculture will meet.

Our farmers are proud and responsible stewards of the land. Generation after generation, they work sun up to sun down to provide safe, affordable, abundant food … for our families here at home, and families around the world.

MKC the Ag Council of America and our industry partners invite you to celebrate Ag Day on March 8.  Join us in recognizing hardworking farm families that make American agriculture abundant, affordable and amazing!