OUR YEAR IN REVIEW...

As we look back on the past year, MKC showcased a journey of growth with impactful milestones that have propelled us forward and solidified our position as a leader in our industry.

Mac N Cheese Donation

We had the pleasure of making a large donation to the Kansas Food Bank this year. Many Kansans face food insecurity. The number of families in need rises as the cost of food rises. We are thrilled that as a member-owner of Land O’Lakes we were able to partner with them to bring a 40,000 lb. donation of Land O’Lakes Macaroni and Cheese to the Kansas Food Bank! In addition, on behalf of you and our member-owners, MKC donated an additional $10,000 monetary

PRODUCER AG, CHS INC. JOINT VENTURE EXPANSION

After 10 years of successful partnership, MKC and CHS are expanding their current grain marketing joint venture, Producer Ag, to maximize the value of an end-toend cooperative supply chain in the Southern Plains.

This development will expand market access and patronage-eligible options to maximize owner value by connecting area farmers and cooperatives with end-use markets and customers. This will provide a link to domestic and international markets for cooperatives and their farmers, including leveraging the Houston TEMCO export facility. TEMCO is a joint venture between CHS and Cargill.

Farmers and local cooperatives will gain access to a wider global market while end-users domestically and internationally gain access to a stronger origination network to source high-quality grains to meet their customers’ demands. This holds true to the Producer Ag mission of providing a grain marketing service that links the producer to the enduser giving the greatest value to both parties.

This expanded partnership will drive long-term growth through a responsive grain network and reinvestment to expand marketing opportunities and modernize rail infrastructure in this vital growing region.

MKC and CHS will continue to independently own and operate assets throughout the region. Expect donation. This contribution will provide an estimated 40,000 meals. MKC began making targeted efforts to tackle hunger starting in 2010. Through the annual food drives, our team, in partnership with our member-owners and customers, donated over 60,000 lbs. of food to local food banks and over $150,000. We are thrilled to be able to continue this tradition of giving and helping to alleviate hunger for our friends and neighbors in our local communities. operations for this expanded 50/50 joint venture to begin this summer.

Rice County Shuttle Loader

MKC, in partnership with CHS broke ground on a new grain shuttle loader near Sterling, Kansas in December of 2022. Located in Rice County, the facility will include a high-speed shuttle loader with access to rail on the K&O Railroad. Upon completion, on-site storage will be approximately 5.2 million bushels. The project is expected to create new jobs during construction and operation. By the end of 2023, the elevator will look complete from the outside but will have internal work to be done. This project is slated to be completed by summer of 2024.

Rural Broadband Connection

MKC collaborated with Land O’Lakes and Verizon to expand broadband internet access to residents of Whitewater, KS and the surrounding community. A wireless communications tower has been built and turned on by Verizon at the MKC Whitewater facility. This effort to improve connectivity has the potential to provide residents in this rural area with additional broadband services in their homes. Not only is broadband increasingly critical to daily life, it also enables precision agriculture, increasing yields, improving productivity, and boosting profits.

Apprenticeship Program

MKC announced the launch of an apprenticeship program in May to hire agricultural equipment operators, CDL drivers and operations specialists through Kansas Farm Bureau’s (KFB) Rural Kansas Apprenticeship Program. This is the first agricultural apprenticeship program in the state of Kansas. The program is designed to provide on-the-job training and technical instruction to employees hired into specific entry-level operations positions, regardless of an agricultural background.

High School Facility Tours

In the fall of 2022, MKC created a multi-location circuit tour focused on showing local high school students career options in agriculture. The tour visits three of our locations: the MKC Agronomy Hub in Groveland, the Shuttle Loader and Grain Terminal in Canton and the MKC Safety Center in Moundridge. While at Groveland, students learn about agronomy and technology, at Canton they learn about food safety and storage and at the Safety Center, agricultural safety is the focus. Currently, over 150 students have experienced this tour, and we look forward to the continuation of this program as it embodies our tagline “Shared growth, Shared success.”

Grain Safety

Safety for our employees, memberowners and community is always our top priority at MKC. Grain safety is critical because everyone deserves to make it home safely at the end of the day. Hundreds of people die or are injured each year due to preventable hazards in grain storage and handling facilities.

Each year, MKC employees participate in Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week. The initiative raises awareness of the life-threatening dangers of grain handling and provides first responders with the necessary equipment and training needed to save lives from grain related accidents. This year, we hosted our own grain entrapment rescue demo and had over 60 attendees with eight fire departments represented. In addition to Grain Safety Week, MKC also provides regular safety training to employees, farmers and emergency personnel including Hands On Training (HOT) at the MKC Training Center.

Scan the QR code to watch our Grain Engulfment Rescue Demo.