The GROWMARK System has deep roots with Farm Bureau, dating back to the 1920s. It remains affiliated with the Farm Bureaus of Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. One Farm Bureau member represents the three Farm Bureaus on the GROWMARK Board.

From those roots, the GROWMARK System has grown into an international business with over $7 billion in sales.

The GROWMARK System is an agricultural retail, farm supply, risk management and grain marketing cooperative. In addition, Farm Bureau members receive patronage refunds from FS member cooperatives. FS member cooperatives in Iowa offer products and services to help farmers improve their profitability.

Iowa is home to two FS member cooperatives, three GROWMARK-affiliated FS farm supply organizations, and more than 30 grain member cooperatives.

Agronomy and energy

FS crop specialists are highly trained to help farmers better understand what might be impacting their farming operations and to provide crop production recommendations that will allow them to maximize their economic return per acre. 

The FS brand of corn and soybeans continues to outpace competitors. 

Fertilizer facilities in Vinton and Stuart, operated by New Century FS and AGRILAND FS, respectively, offer strategic access to crop nutrients, and in Chapin, AgVantage FS maintains a 24,000 ton dry fertilizer facility.

New Century FS opened a new facility in 2016 in Melbourne that increases customer service and safety.

STAR Energy recently received a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture and Iowa Department of Agriculture and installed new equipment to offer higher blended renewable fuels in Yale, Guthrie Center, and Rockwell City giving consumers access to E15, E30, and E85 gasoline.

GROWMARK’s energy division remains committed to investing for the future to maintain the cooperative’s status of being a leading supplier of refined and renewable fuels, propane, lubricants, and greases. Strong supplier relationships, dependable distribution capabilities, and innovative solutions for today’s energy needs make GROWMARK a trusted and respected partner, interested in members and customers long-term goals.

New propane terminals in Canton, South Dakota and Mason City ensure a reliable supply of propane when Iowans need it most.

GROWMARK and its FS member companies remain committed to their communities and charitable causes. In October, 2016, STAR Energy, Three Rivers FS, and New Century FS and their retail fueling stations teamed up with other gas stations across the state to donate money to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Farm safety focus

FS member cooperatives invest time, money, and resources in safety to help prevent accidents, injuries and fatalities among farmers and agricultural workers, and also to be good environmental stewards. FS employees are trained in safety programs and procedures to address specific concerns such as LP-gas and hazardous-material handling and safeguarding resources that might be used in methamphetamine production.

The GROWMARK System is also a partner with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety in Peosta. The center offers ongoing training for operators, farmers, and emergency responders on a wide variety of agriculture-specific topics, including grain systems, anhydrous ammonia, and general farm safety.

Following the devastating event in West, Texas involving a fertilizer plant explosion, GROWMARK became one of the founding members of ResponsibleAg.

GROWMARK and its FS and grain members are partners with Progressive Farmer Foundation and Progressive Farm Safety Day. The educational program provides training and resources for local communities to conduct one-day safety and health programs designed to be age-appropriate, hands-on, fun, and safe for children.  More than 400 farm safety days were conducted in 36 states, 9 Canadian provinces, and American Samoa.

Supporting tomorrow’s leaders

The GROWMARK System is committed to developing young men and women who share cooperative values and vision, and who will be the next leaders in our system and agriculture

Through 4-H, FFA, Agriculture Future of America, educational scholarships and programmatic funding, and other programs, GROWMARK provides financial and in-kind support for youth and young leaders. GROWMARK and Farm Bureau have a long history of working together to conduct conferences, contests, and events that enhance the leadership skills and abilities of young leaders in Iowa, and will continue to do so in the future.