Learning the cooperative structure involves more than just agriculture

By Kerry Watson, Communications Specialist

Lane Allison, Seed Logistics Coordinator for MKC, was selected to join other students from across the nation to learn how cooperative businesses operate for the benefit of their customers. Students participated in the NFU College Conference on Cooperatives, sponsored by the CHS Foundation, CoBank, Farmers Union Industries Foundation, National Farmers Union (NFU) Foundation and others.  The event focused on how and why cooperatives succeed in America's competitive business environment.

Making a difference

MKC employees take great pride in donating their time to communities and charitable organizations. MKC encourages their employes to help keep their communtiies strong by supporting organizations of their choosing.  Lane Allison, Seed Logistics Coordinator, is one more employee who volunteers to make a difference.

Lane is very involved within his community through several groups including Personal Energy Transportation (PET), a local nonprofit group in Moundridge. The organiztion manufactures and delivers all-terrain, self-powered wheel chairs to people in developing countries.  He has helped deliver 11 PET chairs to children and adults during two separate trips to Ethiopia.

"I would much rather donate my time and energy in a way that I can meet the people I am supporting and develop an actual relationship with them and know exactly to who or what my contribution is going toward.  These trips have allowed me to see the true happiness and joy from these people simply by receiving the gift of mobility.  I am extremely grateful to have witnessed that firsthand." - Lane Allison