A very positive Farmer’s Union Annual Meeting

For those that haven’t heard by now, as of Monday, April 1st, 2019, Randy McMillin is our new grocery store owner. He has purchased the Grygla Coop Store and was invited to speak at last week’s Farmer’s Union Annual Meeting. After FUO announced they’d be closing the Grygla Coop, many Grygla (and surrounding) residents voiced their concerns. It was anticipated that those concerns and opinions would be brought to the open meeting last week, but nothing of the sort happened. The meeting overall was very positive, which was possibly because a solution had already been reached in regards to the grocery store. A meeting recap is included for all of those who were not able to attend, including an update from Randy, which concluded the meeting and has been left in his own words. Farmer’s Union Oil 79th Annual Meeting, Grygla Community Center, March 25th, 2019 Lunch was served by David Lee Catering prior to the meeting, which was called to order at 1:03pm. Sitting at the head table was Dallas Diesen (President), Gary Satre (VP), Mike Hanson (Secretary), Darwin Klamar (Director), Gary Polansky (Director), Brenda Mosher (FUO General Manager), Bob Thompson (Ag Manager). Mike Hanson stated that there will be an election of two officers who are up for re-election. Last year’s minutes were read and accepted. Dallas Diesen then called on the reading of the annual audit report. Everyone in attendance received an annual statement upon arrival. The Statement of Operations were read, comparing 2019 to 2018. No questions from attendees followed. The Balance Sheets were read, along with the remaining pages of the Annual Statement Booklet. No questions followed. Brenda Mosher was called on to give a Manager Report. Mosher thanked everyone for coming to hear the financial position of the Cooperative. She gave an update about the new pumps and tanks that will be put in at the station. They were put in back in 1991. 30 years is the length of those tanks, so we have reached the point. The tanks will be dug out in April sometime. There is an issue with putting them back in the current location so they will be moved over by the sign. New pumps are dispenser vs. push, which will help with all the grinding; they will also pump faster and give a whole new look. The canopy will also be added on to about 10 or so feet. Pumps will be moved east to accommodate campers, boats, etc. One side shop door has now been closed off, which should eliminate crowding outside. That area inside will now be hardware that’s coming over from the Coop Store. New siding is going up on the building starting now. The south/west side will be resided. Mosher then reviewed front staff, office staff, bulk fuel’s propane and Ag staff duties. Dividend checks were handed out. $28,914.47 is the cash portion at 30%; 70% paid out later. Mosher concluded by saying they will try to diligently maintain those figures every year, while keeping everything going and up to date. Bob Thompson was up next to discuss Ag updates. He began by saying last year and this year were record setting years. However, there are logistics issues with less trucking available and getting product in a timely fashion. The Ag has added a bigger floater and more anhydrous tanks. For this spring, Bob said they’ll have a lot of the same people, but a couple of new faces. He asked for patience, along with giving plenty of advance notice for deliveries. Thompson also reminded everyone of their credit policy, which is the same as previous years. Everyone either has their fertilizer and chemical prepaid or cash on delivery. This will be enforced in order to keep the Coop as strong as it is. Thompson concluded by thanking employees for long hours and hard work, along with the customers for their business. Dallas Diesen then asked for nominations for the board. None were received. Gary Satre and Dallas Diesen were up for re-election. Diesen asked for a motion to cast a unanimous ballot for the two. A motion was made, seconded and carried. Diesen then asked for any unfinished old businesses at this point. After a few moments of silence, he continued on to discuss new business. Randy McMillin was invited to come forward and was announced as the new buyer of the grocery store. In Randy’s own words: “It’s been overwhelming to see the response by the community. We’ve been putting in time with learning some of the ropes right now. Everyone seems really happy and positive about this change. It’s what got me really looking at keeping the store open. I was on the Board when Farmer’s Union first took the store over. Knowing the numbers and stuff, and wanting to see those again, it’s still doing the same kind of stuff except the overhead has been tough. It happens. That’s one thing that we are going to change. We are going to cut some jobs; three full-timers, the rest part-time. We are going to completely change the layout. Cenex will take some of the hardware. They’ve left the paint, plumbing and electrical. We’ll keep that over at the Coop. We’ll figure out some things down the road as we go forward. Cenex will do a lot of the ordering and we’ll work together with them to get a better rate and create some efficiencies. In regards to buying the store - everyone has thanked me, but I’m not deserving of the thanks. It goes to all the people who have put time in. It’s been a hell of an eye-opening learning experience to learn what management has to do. I have a new height of admiration for all involved over the years. This community has supported its store throughout the years. I’m hoping we can gain some percentages and I’m hoping we can tweak them to gain some more of your business back here. I’m guilty, too, of buying in TRF or wherever, but I’m willing to put in the effort and I believe this can work. My wife and I have looked at the numbers over and over; I think it can work with the support. I’ve visited with a few different store owners around, including some knowledgeable people in local/rural groceries. Funding, replacing coolers, facelifts, whatever it be, there’s a lot of overhead in a store. In comparison to maybe, farming, it doesn’t look bad, but in proportion, you have to keep everything as tight as you can. There’s so many people in our community who reacted to the announcement of the store closing. It told me that this town still really wants a grocery store. It’s something we want to thrive. Thanks to the Farmer’s Union Board – everyone has had their stamp in trying to keep this surviving. In the 40 years that I’ve been here, the store looks as good as it’s ever been. We’re looking at putting in an off sale to take the place of the hardware that’s going across the street. We’ll put a vestibule where you walk into a store and there will be a door going into the grocery side and another going into the off sale side. (I’m getting ahead of myself as I haven’t even gotten an off sale license yet! We’ll get that to happen! I’ve already put money down on coolers, so I hope it happens!) There will be two ladies in there working all the time. They’ll be able to manage the tills from both sides. We’ll put a hole in the wall further down from the current opening to the off-sale so they can walk to both sides and run the tills. Yes, the hardware will be a little more limited. We won’t have someone there to tell you how to put the pipes together or all that, but if you need some help, people are around to help. Richard Mosher, Rocky Hagen - they are just a couple who have offered to help. I’ll be there, too. The challenge has been exciting. I like to clean. I’ve been waiting to get in there and do that and see what there is, move stuff around. I am purchasing a floor scrubber; that’ll help make the appearance better. Jelle’s have offered their advice/help. Numerous people have said they’d help and I appreciate it so much. I may call on them yet! I think the store is still meant to be in Grygla and that’s why I’ve gotten behind it. I don’t need to make a living from a grocery store - I farm. Hunter’s going to soon pay my way! I don’t have to make a living – that’s the advantage I’ve got. The community has been so supportive - all of the businesses in town. It’s going to go just fine. I just ask for continued support. You live by the percentages in the grocery business so we’ll just continue to go by those. I’m open to suggestions on what to expand, what items to shelf, etc. I’m only a farmer and going to try to be a grocer! Ardeen Hagen is coming back; she went to Machinewell for a bit. Jann is going to stay. Tami Irlbeck is staying. Sam Englund is doing part-time. And Juanita Watne, along with some other kids, will be utilized as much as they can in spots part-time. Let’s make this work!” Dallas Diesen took to the floor again and drew for door prizes before the meeting was then adjourned. Door Prizes: Eight $25 Cenex gift cards went to Bruce Kiesow, Steve Sparby, Eddie Moe, Lynn Anderson, Carol Klamar, Clifford Klamar, Evelyn Castle and Kari Sundberg. Four Outdoor Clock/Weather Stations went to Linda Engelstad, Holly Rychlock, Elaine Rychlock and Carol Steuck. Three to-go cups went to David Jones, Grant Satre and Darwin Klamar.