Central Region Cooperative (CRC) in Fairfax is just one of its many sites serving the agricultural community with fertilizer, feed, seed and energy products along with numerous marketing options to assist farmers in running a productive operation.

The newly constructed Fairfax CRC fertilizer plant consists of three buildings that have four Schweiss bifold liftstrap doors that are all 16' x 18,' large enough for a semi to come in one end, load or unload, and drive through the opposite side at the fertilizer receiving and fertilizer load-out bays. The bifold doors are equipped with the new auto strap latch systems and have dustproof motors and electrical in compliance with National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) standards.

The newly constructed Fairfax CRC plant consists of three buildings that have four Schweiss bifold liftstrap doors that are all 16' x 18,' large enough for a semi to come in one end, load or unload, and drive through the opposite side at the fertilizer receiving and fertilizer load-out bays. The bifold doors are equipped with the new auto strap latch systems and have dustproof motors and electrical in compliance with National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) standards.

Fertilizer is trucked in by CRC employees and contract driver semi's to the fertilizer receiving building bay at the southwest corner of the plant and then transferred by towers from the receiving bay building to the fertilizer load-out building where it can be custom blended, impregnated and loaded into farmers or company-owned tenders. A rail spur line and rail bay may also later be connected to the receiving building.

Located on the east side of the campus, apart from these two fertilizer processing and blending buildings, is a larger package and bulk liquid chemical storage building. The north end of this building houses a seed warehouse with another 20' x 50' addition for seed treatment and bulk seed handling. The anhydrous and liquefied petroleum (LP) site, located about a mile west of Fairfax, will eventually be moved to the new site to keep everything at one location.

"This site will handle all facets of agronomy needs - dry fertilizer, micros, macros, liquid fertilizer, chemicals, various brands and varieties of bagged and bulk seed; pretty much everything you can get from an agronomy center. The new plant will mean much improved and faster service with better quality product and an investment into the community," noted Nate Gieseke, General Manager of Central Region Coop.

The Fairfax facility will employ up to 40 people in its office, at the plant and out in the field depending upon the time of the year.

"Our dry fertilizer warehouse is capable of holding 17,015 tons of bulk fertilizer and has a 250-ton tower with a 4-ton HIM Mixer that is five times faster than our standard towers. The chemical and seed warehouse is approximately 36,000 square feet. The two drive-through bays have 16' x 18' doors where customers can get loaded with bulk or packaged chemicals, with ability to mix hot loads or liquid fertilizer and any chemical needs the customer may have," said Gieseke.

The load-out area features two of the 16' x 18' bifold doors that allow tenders to drive through with ease while loading fertilizer.

CRC has an additional branch location in Buffalo Lake that serves about 1,500 patrons or 8,000 customers.

Stueve Construction Company, the general contractor for the Fairfax fertilizer plant, has over the years been a great customer and promoter of Schweiss Doors. During that long time span their company has ordered over 150 bifold doors ranging in size from 14' x. 14' to 45' x 10.' with the bulk of those orders in the 16' width size. Those Schweiss bifold doors have been installed not only throughout the agricultural heartland but nationwide from coast-to-coast.

Stueve Construction has earned a reputation as a trusted partner in building solutions for dry fertilizer storage technology since 1958.

"CRC hired our construction department at CHS, Inc. to manage the project and coordinate all the contractors," said Project Leader Mike Heinen. "We are the largest farmer-owned co-op, similar to CRC, but on a larger scale. CHS, which previously stood for Cenex Harvest States, does so many projects that they formed a construction department to handle new construction projects, expansions and upgrades. We are six people in a construction department among about 10,000 employees," said Heinen.

Nate Gieseke grew up on a family farm northeast of New Ulm and currently resides in New Ulm. He attended college at SDSU in Brookings where he majored and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Ag-Business. He has been employed with CRC for over three years and the cooperative system for 14 years.

Central Region Cooperative (CRC)

Central Region Cooperative is a member-owned and focused cooperative with roots beginning in several local organizations that, like other cooperatives, found ways to collaborate merging together over the years.

CRC is a full-service cooperative in south central Minnesota locally governed by a board of directors elected from its membership. Their corporate office is located in Sleepy Eye and they operate additional business offices in Fairfax, Gibbon and Buffalo Lake.

Central Region Cooperative has a long history of being known for serving our agricultural producers. CRC provides jobs for 160 employees who manage and operate five business units including Agronomy, BCA Products, Energy, Feed and Grain.

CRC assists farmers in finding new ways to minimize risks and generate profits through grain marketing strategies, contract options and average price contracts. CRC works alongside financial institutions to reduce interest rates through a buy-down program and show cost and pricing options. They assist in maximizing farmers return-per-acre through their premier agronomy services including: VRT, mapping, soil sampling and hybrid recommendations and by providing multiple options on premier products or affordable generic options that fit into profit and loss projections.

Other avenues of assistance include creating feed budgets, feed supplement options, purchasing and marketing of energy products, grain marketing and retail bagged fertilizer and ice melt products.

CRC is committed to offering excellent employment opportunities and benefits to those excited and passionate about working in the agriculture industry. They strive to foster and promote career development and create opportunity for advancement within, offering competitive wages and an outstanding benefit package.

The Fairfax office can be reached by calling 507-426-8263. Visit their informative website at centralregioncoop.com

Stueve Construction Company

Stueve Construction is leading the industry with its innovative fertilizer storage solutions with each facility they build that is matched to its customers unique needs.

Their project delivery systems include: Design/build, turn-key program management and general contracting. Improved technology and new demands of modern agriculture have changed the way North American ag retailers operate.

An agronomy center can house dry fertilizer, liquid plant food, crop protection, and seed. A Stueve dry fertilizer building will be functional, durable, and most importantly, a safe and clean workplace. Liquid storage and blending facilities may require special containment and environmental considerations. Some crop protection or other hazardous materials may require special storage, with heating systems or fire suppression.

Bulk and bagged seed storage facilities also need to be provide the correct environmental conditions and ease of access. Staff offices and mechanical shops are also a part of most centers. Larger facilities may offer grain receiving, drying, and storage.

Stueve approaches every project with the belief that the most critical phase of any project is the pre-construction phase. Those services include: Feasibility studies, site analysis, conceptual design, budget analysis and value engineering.

Stueve also believes project closing is nearly as critical as project startup. Our project success is demonstrated by their long-term client relationships.

With over 1,300 facilities built in the U.S. and Canada since 1958, their exclusive focus on the design and construction of fertilizer storage facilities and port terminals has positioned them as the leader in the industry.

Stueve Constructions corporate office is located at 2201 East Oak St., Algona, Iowa. Phone (515)-295-3110, http://www.stueve.com

CHS, Inc

CHS Inc. (chsinc.com) is a global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States. Diversified in energy, agronomy, grains and foods, they're committed to helping its owners, customers and other stakeholders grow their businesses through domestic and global operations.

CHS supplies energy, crop nutrients, grain marketing services, seed, crop protection products, production and agricultural services, animal feed and food and food ingredients. They also operate petroleum refineries/pipelines and manufacture, market and distribute Cenex® brand refined fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products.

CHS is a farmer-owned cooperative working to help America's farmers be more successful. Today, because of their belief in shared success and farmer-first values. Together, they're making a difference around the world with their depth of energy, grain and food solutions-not to mention a full range of business services and our commitment to stewardship.

The CHS commitment to adding value for farmers, ranchers and local cooperatives began more than eight decades ago in rural America. CHS has grown considerably since its beginnings with operations now spanning the globe in the businesses of agriculture, energy and food.

The company adopted CHS Inc. as its legal name effective August 5. All operating divisions carry the CHS name; although Cenex remains the company's energy brand. CHS corporate headquarters are in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Learn more about CHS by visiting, www.chsinc.com