Children "Adopted" in Angel Tree Program

 By Nichole Gouldie, Communications Specialist

Christmas for more than 200 families was a little merrier thanks to the generous donations to the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program.

It was the second year for the program at MKC, where employees adopted a child - buying them items for the holidays.

"The MKC Angel Tree Program was very successful again this year," said Matt Henderson, Longford location manager. "MKC employees helped to brighten the Christmas of around 200 children."



A group of employees load the gifts
collected in Moundridge.

In addition to employees personally donating items to the program, the Abilene location volunteered to run the Dickinson County Angel Tree program.

"Without their help this program would not have happened," Henderson said.  The Abilene location helped 150 children this year.

Henderson added the families that have received gifts through the MKC Angel Tree have expressed their thanks in many ways and their tears of joy at the sight of the presents they receive is priceless. "It makes me proud to be a part of a company that is so willing to give so much back to their communities," he said. 

Dominique Hill and Brent Floerke load
the gifts collected in Benton.

Farmers Cooperative Association seeks membership approval to merge with MKC

By Kerry Watson, Director of Communications

The board of directors of Farmers Cooperative Association of Manhattan has unanimously approved to take a proposal to their membership to merge with MKC.

Over the past two years, directors for Farmers Cooperative met with five cooperatives to determine which organization could provide the greatest benefits to the co-op and its members.

"We are looking forward to working with MKC," said Hal Mayer, Chairman of Farmers Cooperative Board of Directors. "We share the same core values and MKC's attention to detail in the area of customer service is outstanding. Members from these two cooperatives should greatly benefit from us working together."

Currently, MKC's furthest northeast location is in Abilene and serves customers in Dickinson, Ottawa, Clay and Geary counties. Noting the proximity between the two co-ops' locations and the similar profiles of their producers, CJ Blew, MKC's Board Chairman commented the merger, if approved, would be a natural fit. "This is also an opportunity for members from both organizations to insure the relevance and viability of their ownership in the cooperative system for generations to come."

With four locations in Alta Vista, Manhattan, Onaga and Westmoreland, Farmers Cooperative is a full-service cooperative with annual sales of $50 million. They offer grain, feed, agronomy and energy products and services to 2,000 members in five counties.

MKC and Farmers Cooperative are currently developing the required merger documents to be approved by both boards. A vote by Farmers Cooperative membership will be required to approve the merger and is expected to occur next spring.