Randy Stubblefield, CEO, United Farm & Home Cooperative, comes on the podcast to talk about a recent merger and how that’s changed his business as well as the opportunities in working with the up-and-coming generation of team members. The new co-op went live February 2, 2021 with 260 employees, 10 retail locations, and two crop centers.
What have been the biggest changes to the business?
“It takes size and scale for the ability to really have any kind of negotiating. At the co-op, we represent our farmers and trying to get them the services and the products they need in the most cost effective way. So it’s changed a lot because a lot of our farmers are getting larger, with less of them. We have to grow as they get larger– we have to get larger otherwise we become irrelevant. And so that’s why it’s really important for us to continue to grow for our long-term sustainability.”
What are new services you are offering?
“On the cattle side, we put a vet on staff last year. It’s been really successful. We’ve been able to have a good working relationship and having a face at the farm gate working with farmers on a daily basis. Five to 6 days a week the vet has been on one of our members’ farms so that’s been a huge advantage.
Also, by combining our assets, we’re able to provide services in certain counties that were not provided earlier and pre-merger. Whether it’s row crop spraying or custom application of high crop fertilizer spreaders, those are all different assets that some of the locations had. Now all of them have access to. That bigger equipment really is what it takes to keep up with these farmers.”
How do you balance serving your diversified farmer customer base?
“The biggest challenge for us is having the right people in the right place. A lot of some of our large growers need a lot of help, some of them just need the services. So the biggest challenge is trying to get either the right equipment or right personnel in place to assist that farmer. That’s what we’re really striving to achieve–to have good high customer service and retain that business long-term.”
What do you want farmers to know about your co-op?
“We’re serving for their best interest. That’s what we were created for: good service, knowledge base. We were built for us to know about our products we’re selling. It sets us apart from our competition. We strive to excel in every day.”
How will you define success in the coming year?
“We’re doing everything in our power to manage our risk because we’re operating on the farmers money, obviously being a co-op. And at the same time, we feel like we’re helping them balance their risk out as well. So that’s been a huge challenge. But you know, our success this year is based on our farmers getting their products put in the field and getting planted and being able to have a good harvest a good crop. So that’s our keys to success is getting the crop in and get the crop out which is the same way every year but just a lot more challenging with the tightness of supply that we’re facing this year.”
You’re a 40 Under 40 Awardee. What would you share with those starting their career in ag retail?
“Put in hard work and earn the respect of the farmers and your fellow employees is lesson number one and treating people right.
Those are all aspects that have gotten me to where I am now. I’ve tried to treat all my customers, employees, everyone with the respect that they deserve.
There’s tough days, there’s better days, but keeping in mind that number one, the customers are the ones that are keeping us in business. And our employees and our support staff are the ones keeping them happy. So it’s all a big puzzle. And it’s been it’s been a lot of fun putting it all together.”
