Jeff Manderscheid, Chairman of the Board, UFC
At UFC, our focus is simple—doing what’s right for our member-owners, the cooperative system, our employees, and the communities we serve. As we look to the future, the UFC Board of Directors is committed to making strategic decisions that benefit the entire cooperative system, always keeping our member-owners front and center.
Our strategy includes reinvesting in both new and existing assets, upgrading our operational infrastructure, advancing technology, and attracting top talent. Whether we’re building or buying assets or growing our team, each decision is made with careful consideration of how it will strengthen relationships with our partners, employees, and patrons.
A key part of our success lies in our ability to adapt and work together. Partnerships are a vital part of our growth, and we’re always open to exploring new opportunities that benefit both UFC and the larger cooperative network. A great example of this is our partnership with Central Region Cooperative through Agronomy Solution Partners. This collaboration has been a huge win for all member-owners and employees involved. CRC member-owners gain access to the products and services offered at our Brownton location, while UFC enjoys better asset utilization, shared resources, and cost savings that ultimately boost our bottom line — and those benefits get passed right back to our member-owners.
Equity redemption is another priority for us. Over the past five years, UFC has seen a financial turnaround that has allowed us to give back to our member-owners. Recently, we distributed a special retirement for qualified equity allocated in 2004-2005, returning nearly $1 million to the countryside. In today’s economy, that money can make a big difference, whether it’s reinvested into your operation or used to cover expenses. This milestone shows the strength and continued relevance of the cooperative model.
At UFC, we are focus on increasing our influence in the industry to better serve our members. We’re committed to building strong partnerships, exploring possible consolidations if and when the opportunity arises, investing in our people and technology, and making smart choices for the future. As a result, growth naturally follows from informed decisions and strong partnerships. Everything we do is focused on what is best for our member-owners, the cooperative system, our employees and the communities we’re proud to serve