60th anniversary book web - amazon s3 · we hope you enjoy the additions and layout changes we have...

DANVILLE COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION60

www.danvillecoop.com

COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

60DANVILLE

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF SERVICE DANVILLE COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION60

www.danvillecoop.com www.danvillecoop.com2

3 Letter from the Board 4 Dave Andra: the Ultimate Caretaker5 A Labor of Love6 History of Danville Cooperative Association7 List of Charter Stockholders8 Active Charter Stockholders, First Board 9 Board of Directors Past and Present

10-11 Financial Results and Wheat Volumes12 Annual Meeting13 Expansion and New Services History

14-17 Charter Documents18-19 Locations

20 An Iconic Image21 Managers

22-23 Employees24-25 60 Years of Progress26-27 Growth and Development28-29 Expo

30 Newport Construction31 Danville’s Fame and Recognition

COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

60DANVILLE

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

Fertilizer being loaded off of tender truck onto Case applicator

3

Th e 2012 Board of Directors is proud to present this 60th Anniversary Book of the Danville Co-operative Association.

Th is book is dedicated to all the producers we serve; both past and present. Th e present day needs of our producers have gone far beyond the original needs of grain handling and storage for which the Coop was founded in 1952. As farming methods change, and available technology evolves, we take pride in knowing we play a part in helping our producers grow and adapt their operation.

We hope you enjoy the additions and layout changes we have made to the previous Anniversary editions to create this 60th Anniversary Book.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your continued support.

Dave Wedman President

The elevator as it looked in 1955. The smaller portion of the 400,000 bushel storage elevator, shown at the left, was

the original structure. The larger portion at the right was completed in 1953. It was begun on March 16 and the first

wheat entered on June 6, 1953.


www.danvillecoop.com www.danvillecoop.com 5

When I was elected in 1982, it was to fi ll the vacancy of Arthur“Bud” Gerber. His term had expired, and he decided not to run again. I knew right then I had some big shoes to fi ll. Bud, along with all the direc-tors before and aft er, have been totally dedicated to make this a successful and profi table organization. Th e Board’s fi rst major deci-sion aft er I was elected came in the fall of 1982. It was whether to build a new annex at the west elevator. Th e decision was made to go ahead with the project, and the annex was com-pleted in time for the 1983 harvest. In 1985 when the Board at-tended the 1985 Farmland Industries Annual Meeting, we were surprised and honored to see the picture of the west elevator along with the church and a Farmland semi on the front cover of the annual report. In September of 1989, the Board along with the whole com-munity was saddened at the sudden death of our Board Secretary, Frankie Olivier. At that time, I was selected as Board Secretary and held that posi-tion for many years. At a Board retreat during the 90s, the Board was trying to fi gure out how to expand our trade terri-tory or customer base, with nothing looking too promising. Shortly aft er that meeting, we were contacted by Garvey Elevators to purchase the Freeport, Bluff City, and Metcalf loca-tions. It didn't take long for the Board to realize an opportunity was knock-

ing. In 2003 when Botkin Grain was up for sale by auction, the Board thought that acquisition would also improve our long term fi nancial posi-tion. We were the fi nal bidders and it became a natural fi t for Danville Coop. In 2007, it looked like a bum-per crop coming on board. We had a chance to purchase a three million bushel terminal elevator in Welling-ton. Th e price was right, so the Board purchased the terminal and decided if we didn't use it that summer, we eventually would. Th at harvest turned out not to be a good produc-tion year, but we did get the elevator in shape and got it full, thanks to Co-Mark. It has been a good invest-ment for your cooperative. Aft er a structural failure in a concrete eleva-tor in Northern Kansas, everyone began looking at their own storage. In 2011, our insurance company advised us not to use the Freeport elevator. Th e Board knew then that something needed to be done. It wasn't long be-fore we decided on new construction

if we could fi nd an adequate location. While we were working on these plans, the Board was approached about the purchase of the Albin eleva-tor south of Bluff City in Oklahoma. Aft er many meetings, calls, and visits, the Board felt those two projects could be done in the same year and still maintain a good fi nancial posi-tion to present to the stockholders. Our area has been blessed with young people that are involved with this coop and farming. I believe with our customer base, and contin-

ued support, the Danville Coop should maintain a strong fi nan-cial position for future gen-erations. I feel that the Coop has grown when the opportunity arises and has a good reputa-tion of fi nan-cial strength throughout the industry.

It has been a privilege for me to serve on this Board. I have made great friends and have many fond memories of the people I have worked with over the years. I will remain a faithful supporter of the Danville Coop.

First of all, as I refl ect back on the time I have been on the Dan-ville Board of Directors, I want to thank the stockholders for the confi dence they have had in me to serve them. This has defi nitely been a labor of love. I have enjoyed every aspect of it.

The cover of the 1985 Farmland Industries,

Inc. Annual Report featuring Danville Coop.

A LABOR OF LOVERoy Davis

4

in the farm operation. I still hear stories about how quick he was to come help one when they came into the Co-Op because he knew someone was probably waiting for them to get home with whatever was needed. Th e induction into the Cooperative Hall of Fame in 2008 was the best tribute to his life’s work. He would have downplayed the recognition but still would have been proud. At the beginning of the pre-sentation, the speaker said it best: “Dave lived each day to enhance the position of the members of co-operatives. He was referred to as a Co-op manager’s manager. He was greatly respected, and deserved that respect as he was always committed to the things in which he was involved. Dave always found positives in any situation and he is missed by the people he worked with and for. When you look in the diction-ary under the word “coopera-tor” it surely will list Dave Andra’s name. Dave mentored and helped de-velop dozens of people, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in co-operative work. In addition to Dave’s passion for cooperatives, he left a legacy as a faithful husband, loving father, leader in his church, and avid fi sherman.”

ave Andra was dedicated to his work and family and there wasn’t any distinction between his own family or the larger “family” of the Co-Op including both

his employees as well as the farmers. He was happy when things went well for all and could walk the fl oor with them in spirit when times were bad. Th e fi rst thing he listened to each morning was the weather, because most of the time it would aff ect whatever else happened that day. Dave was the ultimate caretaker and this made his illness even more diffi cult for him. Th is caring

was refl ected in his shop-ping as most will remember his bargain-hunting trips so he could share his fi nds with everyone. He was so proud of his employ-ees during his last harvest of 2003 when they carried on the work as he

guided them by telephone. He knew they were a team that would accomplish the job at hand.He respected the farmers and felt that they were indeed the owners of the Coop and knew he worked for all of them. He always wanted to encourage the younger farmers as they were the future and so he created the Associate Board. He respected the wives as he knew they were partners with their husbands

Dave Andra

D

the ultimate caretakerA tribute written by Dave’s wife, Jo Anne AndraGeneral Manager, 1987-2003



History of Danville Cooperative Association

Following several days of preparation early in 1952, the promoters of the Danville Cooperative Association called their fi rst stockholders meeting. Ninety members were present for the fi rst meeting on March 20, 1952. It was proposed to build a 150,000 bushel eleva-tor, which was the original structure, and the scale house. Mem-bers attending the meeting pooled their resources and came up with $58,000 to begin building. Carl Witham of the Farmers Coop Commission Co., Hutchinson, Gilbert Terpening from Wichita Bank for Coopera-tives, and Charley Gordon of the Consumers Co-op of Kansas City were contacted to off er advice in forming the new business. Another meeting was then called to elect seven direc-tors. Th ese were C. C. Zollars, Joe Wedman, George Gleichman, Leo F. Drouhard, Louis Smithhisler, Ed Olivier and W. H. “Walt” Osborne. Th e directors then gathered to elect offi cers, and C. C. Zollars was made the fi rst president, Leo Drouhard was secretary-treasurer, and Joe Wedman was put in the vice-president position. A building committee was appointed, which included Dan Olivier, B. A. Titus, and Vin Drouhard. A stockholders meeting was held on April 8, 1952 to adopt laws and by-laws. Total members at the adoption time were 185. Th ey bought $34,200 in common stock and further loaned an additional $37,900 on Certifi cates of Indebtedness. At fi rst, each member was allocated 600 bushels of storage. Th e fi rm offi cially opened for business on July 18, 1952, although, while in its last stages of construction, the fi rst load was unloaded on July 2. Th is wheat belonged to Danny, Jr. and Rod Olivier, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Olivier. Both boys were in the Service. Rod was given furlough to come home to help harvest. Th is elevator plus a 30 x 84 ft . warehouse, basement with a vault, and the offi ce building located in the southeast corner of the ware-house along with the necessary equipment cost $114,400. As an indication of foresight on July 28, 1952, stockhold-ers met to discuss additional storage space. Forty members were present. Th e group decided to table action until a later date. On February 19 of the next year at a special stockholders meeting, additional storage was again discussed. Th e decision was made to proceed, and $12,000 was raised there. Suffi cient money was raised from other members within a week on Certifi cates of Indebtedness to provide initial capital to begin the 250,000 bushel addition. Th is new portion was begun on March 16, and the fi rst wheat to enter its hold was on June 6, 1953. Th e fi rst elevator manager was Henry Nicoll and fi rst elevator man was William Olivier. Nicoll resigned on January 8, 1953, and Don Minnis was hired. William Olivier resigned in Sep-

tember of 1954, and Rodney Olivier was hired as elevator man. On November 17, 1953, a special stockholders meeting was held to discuss the proposal to start bulk gasoline business. Th is was voted down. With 201 members, the third annual meeting was held in the Danville Parish Hall on April 28, 1955. Don Minnis explained the growth of the business over the past years to more than 250 members and guests who attended the meeting. Th e three years savings fi gure of $121,000 was prorated to the coop members. In 1958, a 320,000 bushel Butler Grain Warehouse Build-ing was constructed for thirty cents a bushel. It was paid for in less than one year. In 1959, the head house of the Danville west elevator was constructed, and in 1983, the west annex was built. Storage capac-ity was 800,000 bushel, and elevation capacity was 18,000 bushel per hour. In January 1961, a group of farmers became interested in building a branch elevator in the Argonia area. An acreage of land was purchased from Dan Pearce one-half mile north of town, and construction soon began on a 300,000 bushel grain elevator by the Sampson Construction Company. By harvest of that year, the elevator took wheat even though it was not completely fi nished. Th e Argonia Elevator Annex was constructed by Jarvis Construction, Salina, Kansas adding 600,000 bushel storage. In June 1994, the Garvey Elevators were purchased at Bluff City, Freeport, and Metcalf. Th e liquid fertilizer storage was expanded at Argonia, Bluff City, and Danville. Th e liquid storage facilities were upgrad-ed to comply with state fertilizer storage regulations. In the 1990s, the Liquid and Dry Fertilizer operations were expanded with custom fertilizer application. In 2012, the total acres covered by the applicators was 96,723 acres. General Managers of the Danville Cooperative Associa-tion in addition to Henry Nicoll and Don Minnis have been Leon Blubaugh, Don Ross, David Andra, John Stopper, Ted Sabata, and Mike Morlan, who is presently in charge. Managers of the Argonia Branch from 1961 to the present have been Harlan Strait, Loren Paxon, Don Teter, Dean Taton, Roy Davis, Carl Lewis, Donald Ross, Ken Kohlenberg, Ross Jeff ery, and currently Aaron Hemberger. Managers at Bluff City have been Max Murrow, Steve Inslee, Nathan Kohls, and currently Robin Struble. Our latest location additions include Albin, managed by Doug Boese, and Newport, managed by Darren Good. Th e present directors are: Roy Davis, Scott Greenwood, Mark McCoy, Alan Seifert, Wayne Drouhard, Dave Wedman, and Lee Adams.

7

List of Charter StockholdersFred Podschun

Joe WohlschlegelA. C. Bomholt

J. E. BakerWalt Wacher

Harold BlubaughEarl Clements

Wendell HumbertG. O. Weidenbach

Edith G. Dieff enbacherClayton Weaver

Bill Blanchat Grace McDanielMcDaniel Bros.Kenneth Peden

Rollie NyeStuchal Bros.

Tilly RosenbergerF. W. ColemanO. J. Freeman

Paul L. DickinsonAlbert Coslett, Jr.

Ralph Lee OsborneH. L. OsborneTom Hudson

B. E. PoeRobert Park

Ed JonesMrs. W. H. Seiss or Donald FreemanBlanche RhodesMilford Coady

Elmer Th ompsonHelen Weede

Watt Bros.Harold BebermeyerC. A. Bebermeyer

Marie BurkeNorris Weltmer

Maude SeybO. W. BellamyGene OlivierGene Bellamy

Leona M. OlivierRoy CleousIrvin Erker

Jerome Munsch

C. C. Zollars Ernest Detweiler

Joseph M. WedmanA. P. Drouhard

Leo F. DrouhardLucy I. Drouhard

George E. GleichmanAlbert E. Drouhard, Jr

Ed F. or Veronica C. OlivierE. F. DrouhardW. H. Osborne

Arthur DrouhardSmithhisler Bros.Louis Drouhard

C. R. AyresJoe Drouhard

Albion Farm - L. A. MillerL. N. Drouhard

Lyle BauerLloyd Drouhard

N. C. BauerDan DrouhardNorman BauerBill DrouhardMarion Beal

Edward Drouhard, Jr.Orlin J. Bellamy

Raymond DrouhardGene BergmanLeon Drouhard

Marland BergmanMary E. Davis

Vernon BebermeyerWilfred E. Drumright

Lida BrenekeF. H. Easterly

A. F. or Rose BlubaughA. A. Fisher

R. M. BlubaughArthur GerberDr. K. A. BushLeo J. GerberVirginia BushLoren GerberIvan P. BurkeJohn Good

Maude Burke HolidayScott & Douglas Gill

Carl BrownFrank R. Graves

A. F. BeylerGlen Genteman

C. J. BlanchatKimball Gates

Lois BarrettH. H. Herst

Dick CramerVin Drouhard

John J. ChevrauxWm. Hurst

LeRoy ChevrauxChancy H. Hostetler

Mary E. ChevrauxLester HostetlerR. P. ChevrauxHoyt E. HooverTom Clements

Louis L. HolderbyWm. Clements

John or Junia JurgensOrie Cleous

Kenneth KroneFred CoulsonEdwin Latta

R. H. CunninghamRoy S. LoweryJoe L. Clarahan

Frank LottErwin DavisJohn F. LottL. E. Dent

Effi e S. KnowlesGeorge Dent

Harry or E. Lucille MartinDalton Bradshaw

M. C. ZollarsLeonard Bradshaw

Reuben YoderClara Zimmerman

Adelaide Bassett MahlerNelle Mott

Geo. A. Moritz Nora MottJoe Moritz

Charles & Francis OlivierH. J. Olivier

John OlivierJustin OlivierTed Olivier

Walter OlivierDan Olivier

Rodney OlivierDan Olivier, Jr

Lawrence Obery F. J. Pelzl

Otto RuhsertEd Robinson

Pearl RobinsonEd RuhsertCecil Sharp

Harry SchlickauW. H. Shippen

DeWitt SternbergerClint StansburyEverett Schon

A. J. SuterA. E. or Mary F. Smithhisler

Ralph W. SpringerB. A. Titus

F. E. VanValkenburgC. A. Watkins

Roger WedmanLeonard Wedman

Mike WedmanFrancis P. Wedman

Tom WedmanDan Wedman

Raymond WedmanEarl WilliamsE. E. WilliamsA. J. Winters

Carl WohlschlegelPaul Wohlschelegel

Glenn W. WhiteErwin WulfOrlie WhiteR. H. Watt

Maude WeneArthur Wene

W. H. Vornauf Martin KohlerB. B. Vornauf

Clements Bros.D. H. Vornauf



C. C. Zollars Joseph P. Wedman Leo F. Drouhard George E. GleichmanW. H. Osborne Louis SmithhislerEd F. OlivierJohn OlivierHarry SchlichauMarion Beal Leonard Scott Norman Bauer Arthur Gerber Francis Olivier Delbert Hostetler Howard Osborne Milford Coady Dan Wedman Oran Sellers Keith Mortimer Roy Davis Richard Watt Don Drouhard Allen Hemberger Bill Blanchat Leon Blubaugh Gerald Wolff Alan Seifert Mark McCoy Wayne Drouhard David Wedman Lee Adams Scott Greenwood

Lee Adams

Roy Davis

Mark McCoy

David Wedman

Wayne Drouhard

Scott Greenwood

Alan Seifert

1952 - 19651952 - 19711952 - 19741952 - 19671952 - 19671952 - 19531952 - 19571953 - 19591957 - 19811959 - 19781965 - 19801967 - 19731967 - 19821971 - 19891973 - 19851974 - 19801978 - 19961980 - 19861980 - 19981981 - 1987

1982 - Present1985 - 19961986 - 20011987 - 20081989 - 20011994 - 19971996 - 2002

1997 - Present1998 - Present2001 - Present2001 - Present2002 - Present2008 - Present

Board ofDIRECTORS

Past & present

8

Active Charter StockerholdersNorman BauerTom WedmanBill Blanchat

Don FreemanRichard Watt

Roger Wedman

Top row, l to r: Joe Wedman, George E.Gleichman, Leo F. Drouhard, C. C. Zollars. Front Row, l to r: W. H. Osborne, Ed F. Olivier and John Olivier, appointed to replace Louis Smith-hisler who resigned.

First Board of Directors



&$ 14,07350,86556,79954,31175,55249,379

107,419132,675130,495157,828120,859148,611158,658154,511131,427109,824150,797199,720213,730193,274193,473487,492892,904959,220600,859672,265643,711

1,040,2871,115,289

FINANCIAL RESULTSWHEAT VOLUME

145,681386,775279,430151,947459,621505,282545,776749,366548,451

1,072,000675,806976,481

1,245,6821,375,507991,904768,296

1,235,4811,677,2091,567,5431,432,9081,541,7821,993,7742,029,0932,112,3742,228,7712,465,4682,301,3262,917,6282,531,067

19531954195519561957195819591960196119621963196419651966196719681969197019711972197319741975197619771978197919801981

YEAR NET SAVINGS WHEAT VOLUME

1953-2012

11

1,111,516986,089715,732843,538490,380609,078548,061263,514609,575318,977398,134417,800448,521679,231395,118356,931897,704350,678704,847466,772771,444

(829,377)500,664769,076486,050561,560500,314

1,152,2841,175,8901,149,8201,712,404

2,750,9273,050,3672,310,9412,605,2952,019,5762,063,0111,870,0822,047,9781,769,7232,758,5411,924,8712,428,7532,809,2053,771,4323,035,9711,850,7345,613,1144,883,1604,036,9943,726,6063,590,3803,758,1945,149,2153,810,2864,400,0793,038,159545,621

3,684,2562,918,0183,804,3732,916,048

1982198319841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012

YEAR NET SAVINGS WHEAT VOLUME

TOTAL 131,854,339 bu$28,578,632


www.danvillecoop.com www.danvillecoop.com

February 1953December 1956

January 1958

January 1959

February 1959

January 1961

July 1965

March 1966

July 1969

February 1970

August 1975May 1976

November 1977November 1982

June 1994

August 1994

May 1998

June 2001

August 2001

May 2007September 2007

October 2011

December 2011

Approved 240,000 Bushel Burton Elevator Annex for $97,000.00 (40.4 cents/bushel)

Hamilton Elevator, Danville, Kansas purchased for $1,510.00.

Purchased 320,000 Bushel Butler Warehouse Building for $98,157.00 (30.6 cents/bushel)

Approved Construction of 300,000 Bushel Concrete Elevator for $181,000 (60.3 cents/bushel)

Approved Installation of Grain Dryer for $28,475.00

Approved Construction of Offi ce, Scale, Grain Dryer, and 300,000 Bushel Elevator at Argonia, Kansas for $256,600 (85.5 cents/bushel)

Approved Construction of 500 Ton Bulk Fertilizer Plant at Argonia

Approved Construction of Bulk Fertilizer Plant at Danville and Installation for Anhydrous Ammonia Plant

Installed 1,000 Bushel/Hour Wheat Seed Cleaner at Danville

Approved Construction of three 60,000 Bushel Steel Bins for $58,500.00 at Argonia

Purchased Big Wheels Fertilizer Applicators

Approved Entering into Bulk Refi ned Fuels Business

Approved Construction 600,000 Bushel Annex at Argonia for $623,000.00

Approved $785,800.00 for 531,000 Bushel Annex Expansion at Danville ($1.50/bushel)

Purchased Garvey Elevators at Bluff City, Freeport and Metcalf for $500,000.00. Storage capac-ity was 820,000

Completed upgrade of Liquid Fertilizer Storage at Argonia, Bluff City and Danville. Added 925 ton storage. Cost $140,000.00

Added 408,000 Bushel Steel Storage and 5,000 b.p.h. leg at Bluff City for $630,000.00

Became a member of AgrowLand L.L.C. to provide custom Anhydrous Ammonia application

Formed United Fuel, L.L.C. to combine our L.P. operations with Anthony Farmers Cooperative Elevator Co.

Signed a contract to purchase a 3,000,000 bushel elevator in Wellington

Danville Board of Directors decided to join Comark Grain Marketing, LLC

Purchased Albin facility in Oklahoma from WB Johnston Grain Company, Inc

Began construction on Newport facility on Highway 44 to replace Freeport elevator

EXPANSION AND NEW SERVICES HISTORY

1312

AN

NU

AL

MEE

TIN

G

Scenes from May 2011 annual meeting. The annual meeting provides stockholders with an update on the fi nancial condition of the coop and the election of the board of directors.


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www.danvillecoop.com www.danvillecoop.com16 17



LOCATIONS

Argonia NorthArgonia North

AlbinAlbin

Our trade territory covers Harper and Sum-ner Counties in Kansas and Grant County in Oklahoma. In the year 2011, Harper and Sumner Counties were the largest wheat producing counties in the state of Kansas. Located in this high production wheat area, Danville Coop locations strive to provide our producers with the highest level of service possible.

Argonia SouthArgonia South

Bluff City Bluff City 19

MetcalfMetcalf

Danville EastDanville East

Danville WestDanville West WellingtonWellington

NewportNewport

With the addition of several locations since construc-tion of the original Danville elevator, wheat capacity has gone from 7,000 bu/hr in 1952 to 97,000 bu/hr in 2012.

The mission of the Danville Cooperative Association is to profitably provide grain marketing and crop protection inputs to members in our trade territory.



1952-19531953-19581958-19801980-19861987-20032003-20082008-20102011-present

M

A

N

A

G

E

R

S

Harry Nicoll Don MinnisLeon Blubaugh Donald Ross David AndraJohn StopperTed Sabuta Mike Morlan

General Managers

Newport Manager

Bluff City ManagersArgonia ManagersHarlan StraitLoren Paxson

Don TeterCarl LewisDean TatonRoy Davis

Donald RossKen Kohlenberg

Ross JeffreyAaron Hemberger

Max MurrowSteve Inslee

Nathan KohlsRobin Struble

Darren Good

Mik

e M

orla

n

Albin ManagerDoug Boese

20

Pictures of the Danville Elevator and The Immaculate Conception Church have become an iconic image, one recog-

nizable at a glance.



DANVILLE COOPERATIVE

EMPLOYEES

BLUFF CITYL to R: Andrew Kannenberg, Robin Struble, Teryl Hakan-

son, and Jason Paxson

ARGONIAL to R: Ethan Hemberger, Jeannette Koehler, Aaron Hem-

berger

AGRONOMYL to R: Ron Kenney, Darrell Schulle, Gary Wohlschlegel,

Scott Vaughn, Gage Berry

WELLINGTONL to R: Justin Stringer, Nick Campbell, Isaiah Berntsen

23

NEWPORTDarren Good

DANVILLE GRAINL to R: Steve Schrock, Chris Mc Curley, Marvin Spencer

ALBINDoug Boese

MAINTENANCEEd Dresser

DANVILLE L to R: Mike Morlan, Gail Hahn, Kathy Sanford, and Michelle

Bergman



60YEARSof progress

First Load of Wheat at the scales was also used to test the equipment on July 2, 1952. Pictured are A/2C Rod Oliver,

driver of the truck and co-owner of the wheat with his brother PFC Dan Olivier of Germany; Henry Nicholl, manager, C.

C. Zollars, George Geichman, Louis Smithhisler, Ed Olivier, Joe Wedman—all directors of the Association, Vin Drouhard, Bill

Olivier, Dan Olivier and Bud Gerber.

25

(left) Hot Spot Detector—Leon Blubaugh, manager of the

Danville Coop Elevator holds a metal plate which is part

of a hot spot detector system being installed in the new

grain storage facility at Danville. Detectors will be placed

every five feet up and down and every 20 feet across in

the 390,000 bushel storage building. Men were at work

this week on scaffolding in back of Blubaugh installing the

spout system from the upright elevator immediately aside

the flat building. The photo was taken inside the 70 by

282 foot Butler Building. (1957 newspaper clipping.)

(right) The First Load of Wheat being unloaded by Dan

Oliver, Sr., Ed Olivier, Vin Drouhard, and a construction

worker.

(left) Don Minnis, Manager, at the Third Annual Stockhold-

ers meeting on April 18, 1955, explaining the growth of the

business in those early years.

(below) Scenes from an Early Stockholder’s meeting.



Newspaper Clipping of new construction in 1983.

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

Above: Construction on Newport

facility in 2012 Right: Liquid Fertil-

izer Plant shortly after construction in

1994

27

Newspaper photo clippings (top and center) showing two old pre-WWII grain elevators in Bluff City being removed to be

replaced with two steel bins with a total of 408,000 bushels capacity. Bottom photo is showing the replacement bins in

progress.

“The Coop has grown when the opportunity arises and has a good reputation of financial strength

throughout the industry.” Roy Davis


www.danvillecoop.com www.danvillecoop.com

First annual expo hosted by Danville Coop in 2011 proved to be a success.

28

EX

29

PO



NEWPORT CONSTRUCTION

Sixty years after the founding members of the Danville Coop built its first elevator to handle and store grain, the

Coop is holding true to its original purpose by constructing its newest facility, Newport, located on Highway 44.

31

Danville Coop was featured In an article on Kansas in National Geographic in 1985. The magazine stated, “The cathe-

drals of commerce and faith rise above the plains.”

The old 1930s and 1940s

“Greetings” linen picture

postcards that featured

the name of a state, city

or tourist attraction in

large block lettering, with

pictures representing

the featured place inside

each letter became the

inspiration for a collection

of US postage stamps in

2001. The Danville eleva-

tor was featured on the

commemorative Kansas

stamp.The stamp includ-

ed a wheat field in the

foreground, a combine,

and some sunflowers

with the elevator in the

background.

A Farmer’s CreedI believe a man’s greatest possession is his dignity and that no calling bestows this more abundantly than farming.

I believe hard work and honest sweat are the building blocks of a person’s character.

I believe that farming, despite its hardships and disappointments, is the most honest and honorable way a man can spend his days on this earth.

I believe farming nurtures the close family ties that make life rich in ways money can’t buy.

I believe my children are learning values that will last a lifetime and can be learned in no other way.

I believer farming provides education for life and that no other occupation teaches so much about birth, growth and maturity in such a variety of ways.

I believe many of the best things in life are indeed free: the splendor of a sunrise, the rapture of wide open spaces, the exhilarating sight of your land greening each spring.

I believe true happiness comes from watching your crops ripen in the fi eld, your children grow tall in the sun, your whole family feel the pride that springs from their shared experience.

I believe that by my toil I am giving more to the world than I am taking from it, an honor that does not come to all men.

I believe my life will be measured ultimately by what I have done for my fellow man, and by this standard I fear no judgment.

I believe when a man grows old and sums up his days, he should be able to stand tall and feel pride in the life he’s lived.

I believe in farming because it makes all this possible.