We're excited to have you as a producer in our Non-GMO Food Grade Soybean Program! As a producer for Ag Partners Cooperative, Inc; the following management practices must be followed:

• Planting: Provide proof of non-GMO seed purchase, store seed separately in sealed containers, and ensure all planting equipment is thoroughly cleaned and inspected to prevent contamination.
• Growing Season: Report final planted acres to Ag Partners by due date and submit records of all pesticide or treatment applications; all products must be used according to label guidelines.
• Harvest: Combines must be cleaned to remove other grains, pokeweed should be avoided during harvest to prevent stained beans, and all soybean varieties and hilum colors must be stored separately.
• Storage: Clean and inspect all bins and transportation equipment before use, apply chemicals only as part of pre-fill sanitization, clearly inform drivers of the identity-preserved nature of the crop, and notify Ag Partners within one month of binning for testing and bushel recording.
• Delivery: Each load must pass a non-GMO strip test and visual inspection, will be evaluated against Ag Partners’ quality standards, and delivery will occur on a buyer’s call basis from harvest through August 31st of the following year.
• Pricing: Contracts are priced during CME hours using nearby futures; storage fees begin after set deadlines if delivery or pricing hasn't occurred. All bushels must be stored on-farm or at approved facilities, and harvest delivery must be pre-approved—standard contracting options and potential discounts or premiums are available.

Failure to follow these practices may result in rejection of product. 

What is a Cooperative?

A cooperative operates on three key principles: it's user-owned, meaning members own their share of equity; user-controlled, with a "one-person, one-vote" system and a member-elected board guiding long-term strategy; and it offers user-benefits, including access to services, expert advice, local profits, and a strong sense of ownership. 

As a co-op member-owner, you're more than just a customer -- YOU have a voice and share in the success. Each year, cooperative profits are divided into three parts: Cash Patronage, Retained Patronage, and Retained Earnings. The Board of Directors determines the annual patronage distribution.

The seven core principles for cooperatives were adopted by the Rochdale, England in 1844, and have become the basis for how cooperatives operate. The pioneers set a mission to work together to succeed and drive value back to their communities, which is the foundation for cooperatives today.