Mid Kansas Cooperative Association provides access to training and educational programs that assists their employees in their career development. Laurie Thiesen, Accounts Payable Manager for MKC, recently completed one such program and earned a Leadership Certificate from Wichita State University, Center for Management Development (CMD).

Laurie Thiesen is shown receiving
her Leadership Certificate from
Pat McLeod, Director for the
Center for Management Development.

According to Brett Myers, MKC's Director of Development and Training, CMD is just one of a number of vendors in which MKC is partnered.  "We are always looking or new and innovative ways in which to develop and train our team members," stated Myers.

Porter participates in first T.A.L. session

MKC Location Manager, Matt Porter,
(shown on right) is pictured with
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

MKC Location Manager, Matt Porter, and nine other members of the 2012 Tomorrow’s Agribusiness Leaders (T.A.L.) class traveled to Topeka for two days to complete their first session in late January. During which, the class enjoyed a detailed policy briefing from Governor Sam Brownback and a private breakfast with Attorney General Derek Schmidt. During these meetings they learned of many challenges facing the state, our top leaders’ plans to move Kansas forward, and what they hoped to accomplish this legislative session. They received staff briefings on the legislative process, the roles and history of KARA and KGFA. They also met with Associated Press Bureau Chief John Hanna on how to accurately communicate a message to the press and with Department of Agriculture Secretary Chris Wilson on the many functions the agency plays. T.A.L. members also received training on effective lobbying methods and put those practices to use during Legislative Action Day.  The next T.A.L. session is in July and entails traveling to Washington DC and meeting with our Congressman, industry leaders, and other officals.

The Tomorrow's Agribusiness Leaders Program - a jointly sponsored initiative of the Kansas Grain and Feed Associaton and the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association is an intensive leadership development program designed to teach members of the association about the state and federal legislative and regulatory process and how to be a better leader within the industry.

Porter is the tenth MKC employee to be selected to participate in this prestigious program since its inception in 1998.

Scholarship application deadline draws near

High school seniors are reminded that the deadline to sumbit an application for one of MKC's nine scholarships is March 15.   The scholarships, valued at $500 each, are available to high school seniors graduating in the spring of 2012 within MKC's territory.  Scholarships will be awarded based on academic achievement, activities and an essay about the value of the cooperative system.

Seniors who plan to attend an accredited university or college including junior, community,vocational or technical schools are eligible to apply.  Applications are available at http://www.mkcoop.com/ and are aslo available through area high school counselor offices. 

Eck earns 10 year certification

Nathan Eck, MKC location manager for Groveland, was recently recognized for ten years of service as a board certified CCA (Certified Crop Advisor). The CCA certification program was established in 1992 to provide a benchmark for practicing agronomy professionals in the United States and Canada. Eck joined MKC in June, 2004 and managed the Marquette location.  He now oversees the grain and agronomy operations at Groveland.

Improving upon our recycling processes

Recycling has always been a matter of helping the environment and the process of recycling has been around for thousands of years.  In ancient times it was a common occurrence to melt down swords, pots and other metal items that had served their purpose.  After the melting process, new items such as coins, statues and other household items were made. 

Products were not nearly as abundant in ancient times as they are now, so resources were hardly ever wasted. Folks from those times would likely cringe if they saw the amount of recycled materials the general public wastes today.

Recognizing a need to improve upon the existing recycling program at MKC, members of the MKC Way Committee, a leadership program at MKC, have taken the initiative to do just that.  Tires, scrap iron, paper, cans and bottles are just some of the processes that will be improved upon or put into place.

“We recognized that we didn’t have a coordinated effort when it came to recycling,” stated Tara Struber, a member of the committee. “Some of our locations have processes in place and we wanted to take their programs and implement them throughout the entire company. Our goal is to make recycling a habit and join other leaders in our communities who recycle.”

Women in agriculture

Fall crops had been delivered to the Mid Kansas Coop at Castleton when Tina Collins started cleaning machinery and building fence in preparation for the cattle she would be bringing home for winter on her Reno County farm.



Dixie Mattas and her husband, Gary,
farm near Lindsborg.

At Dixie Mattas’ farm the routine is about the same, down to the waxing of the combine. While Mattas farms with her husband Gary, just north of Lindsborg, in McPherson County, Collins works solo, having taken over her family farm four miles south of Pretty Prairie.

Collins and Mattas make up about 26,800 female farmers out of Kansas’ nearly 70,000 farm operators according to the recent Census of Agriculture. Meanwhile Collins is part of an even smaller group of 7,943 women who are considered the principal operator of the farm.

Despite different farming operations, the two women share a passion for their work and an appreciation for MKC and how the cooperative has enhanced their lives in several ways.

Both women were raised on farms, and helping out was just always a part of their childhood.

“I loved it,” Mattas said of growing up on her parent’s farm near Bridgeport. The granddaughter of Swedish immigrants who lived in a dugout near Bridgeport, she says her roots run deep in central Kansas.

MKC to award scholarships

MKC will once again award nine scholarships valued at $500 each.  The scholarships, available to high school seniors graduating in the spring of 2012 within MKC's territory, will be awarded based on academic achievement, activities and an essay about the value of the cooperative system.

"This is our opportunity to recognize outstanding students in our communities," states Kerry Watson, Communications/Administrative Specialist for MKC. 

Seniors who plan to attend an accredited university or college including junior, community,vocational or technical schools are eligible to apply.  Applications are available at http://www.mkcoop.com/ and are aslo available through area high school counselor offices. 

Application deadline is March 15.