Ag Plus & Farmward unification information center
Our member-owners deserve clarity, transparency, and certainty. This page is your home base for everything related to the proposed unification between Ag Plus Cooperative and Farmward Cooperative.
Here you’ll find dates, documents, and answers to common questions—so you can make an informed decision when it comes time to vote.
Why Unification Matters
As an Ag Plus grower, you deserve a cooperative that is financially strong, competitive, and able to return value to you consistently. Over the past several years, Ag Plus has faced rising operating costs, tighter margins, excess inventory, and challenges with purchasing power. As a result, patronage has not been issued since 2022, and equity retirement is not able to occur this year. These realities limit the long-term value Ag Plus can return to its members under the current structure.
A unification with Farmward changes that.
Farmward brings strong financial stability, immediate purchasing power benefits, access to grain logistics, rail transportation advantages, and more resources to support local agronomy and energy services. When combined, these strengths directly benefit you. This unification allows your cooperative to operate from a position of strength again.
The goal is simple:
▶ Deliver more value back to you as a member
▶ Strengthen our local footprint
▶ Preserve—and grow—our ability to serve the next generation
With Farmward’s infrastructure and financial position combined with our local relationships, agronomy expertise, and strong retail presence, this unification gives growers the opportunity to benefit sooner, faster, and more consistently than continuing alone.
This is about ensuring your cooperative works for you, not simply operating year-to-year.
This is about improving returns—patronage, equity redemption, and pricing—so that your dollar goes farther.
And most of all, this is about keeping strong, local cooperative service alive.
That starts with your vote.
Unification Advantages
A Stronger Financial Foundation
Improved Buying Power on Major Inputs
Rail Access for Stronger Cost Positioning
Expanded Services and Programs
AgQuest Financial Services
Join Us At A Grower Unification Roundtable Meeting
You’re invited to a dedicated session designed to answer your questions, clarify what unification could mean for you, and help you feel confident heading into the upcoming member vote.
These roundtable discussions will allow growers to hear directly from leadership at both cooperatives, ask questions openly, and learn exactly how this potential unification impacts local service, value, and long-term member return.
Meet With Leadership
Josh Hilbrands — Ag Plus CEO
John Husk — Farmward CEO
What You Can Expect
✔ A transparent discussion about the unification proposal
✔ Open Q&A with both leadership teams
✔ Real impacts to pricing, service, equity, and patronage
✔ How the vote will work and what happens next
Upcoming Roundtable Sessions
Canby
Tuesday, December 16
Canby Chemical Warehouse
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
West Branch
Thursday, December 18
West Branch Agronomy
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Ghent
Friday, December 19
KB's Bar & Grill; Ghent
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Slayton
Monday, December 22
Slayton Agronomy
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ag Plus exploring a unification with Farmward?
Both Boards see an opportunity to strengthen long-term service, financial stability, and operational efficiency by aligning with a cooperative that already operates very similarly to Ag Plus. Farmward’s systems, processes, and member-focused culture make them a strong match. This potential unification is about positioning Ag Plus members, employees, and communities for long-term success.
Why was Farmward selected for unification?
Farmward Cooperative was selected for unification because it is the strongest operational and cultural fit for Ag Plus. Both cooperatives use the same billing system (Agvance), the same Grower360 customer app, and have similar dispatching workflows, sales approaches, and service philosophies. They share core values around customer service, safety, and community support, and their geography and trade territory align closely. Farmward also brings strong financial performance along with complementary strengths in grain and rail, offering expanded grain marketing options and broader market access. Because the two cooperatives already operate with similar systems and structures, integration would be smoother with minimal disruption to employees and patrons, while immediately enhancing Ag Plus’s capabilities across agronomy, grain, energy, and operations.
How could a unification benefit me as a patron?
A unification with Farmward would strengthen long-term stability and value for Ag Plus members, offering a larger, more secure balance sheet, enhanced agronomy support, and greater operational efficiencies. Patrons would gain access to stronger grain marketing, better purchasing power for inputs and energy, and expanded opportunities to invest in people, facilities, and technology. Overall, the combined cooperative reduces risk and positions the organization to serve producers at a high level for years to come.
What happens to the company name and brand?
If the unification is approved, all Ag Plus locations will become Farmward Cooperative.
Where will the headquarters be located, and who will serve as the CEO?
If the unification moves forward, John Husk, the current Farmward CEO, will remain CEO, and Josh Hilbrands, the current Ag Plus CEO, will continue in a leadership role. Corporate headquarters will be based in Morgan, MN, but you will still be able to access the site offices you do today.
Will patrons get to vote on the unification?
Ag Plus members that are eligible to vote will be able to decide whether Ag Plus should unify into Farmward. Farmward will not be holding a member vote.
What happens to my Ag Plus equity and patronage history?
Your equity in Ag Plus will transfer dollar for dollar to Farmward equity. Both boards are committed to have equity retirement and showing value of the cooperative system through equity. The potential unification with Farmward will allow the current Ag Plus equity holders to have a more stable, and potentially better, equity retirement program.
Will Ag Plus’s local leadership still have a voice?
Yes. Discussions will be held about representation and governance to ensure local input continues to guide decisions. Both Boards are committed to maintaining strong local connections. Designated Ag Plus Board Members will join the Farmward Cooperative Board.
Will there be any change to the employees or locations I work with?
Your day-to-day contacts and the employees you work with will remain. Locations will continue operating as they do now, with the trusted team serving you.
What happens to the Ag Plus Board of Directors?
If the unification is approved, designated Ag Plus Board members will join the Farmward Cooperative Board to ensure member representation moving forward.
Who can I contact with questions?
Members are encouraged to reach out directly to an Ag Plus Board Member or to CEO Josh Hilbrands at any time.
What You Can Expect About Voting
Ballots will be mailed directly to all member-owners. To ensure your vote is counted, completed ballots must be returned by January 6 by 5:00 PM. Ballots can be returned to the Ag Plus Corporate Office in Marshall, or at each of the agronomy locations residing in Canby, Ghent, Hendricks and Slayton.
Absentee ballots will be available at each roundtable meeting, so you can vote in person that day if you wish.
We strongly encourage you to attend one of our Grower Unification Roundtable Meetings. These sessions are designed to help you fully understand what you are voting on, ask questions, and feel confident in your decision.
Unification is most effective when done proactively—before it becomes absolutely necessary. Participating in the vote helps protect your equity and supports the long-term success of the cooperative.
Unification Goals
Who Is Farmward?
Farmward Cooperative was built on the belief that strong communities grow from strong relationships. Formed through the merger of several long-standing local cooperatives, Farmward has always been focused on moving agriculture and the people who make it possible—forward.
ABOUT
Corporate Office
1100 East Main Street
Marshall, MN 56258
(507) 532-9686
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