Heritage is a perfect name for a cooperative whose roots date back nearly 100 years.
See how our support changes lives in our local communities
Meet the dedicated volunteer team working for you and the community
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In September, 2017, Agland Co-op and Heritage Cooperative joined forces, agreeing by a vote of their members to move forward under the Heritage Cooperative name.
Heritage Cooperative, which operated primarily in western Ohio, was known as an agronomy and grain powerhouse. Agland Co-op operated in the central and eastern parts of the state, deriving fully half its revenues from energy and related services. The new cooperative is much more balanced, and is divided into four main operating divisions: grain, agronomy, energy and feed and retail.
The goal was never simply to get bigger; rather, leaders of both cooperatives were looking to diversify their product and service offerings, and in doing so, mitigate owners’ risk.
With headquarters in West Mansfield, Ohio, Heritage Cooperative employs 650-700 people and serves customers in seven states.
It’s important for any business to develop mission and vision statements, to help ensure that management, employees, customers and owners are all on the same page. A mission statement defines the company’s business, its objectives and its approach to reaching those objectives. The Board of Directors at Heritage Cooperative has adopted the following mission statement:
To be an agricultural cooperative providing value to our members and customers through individualized solutions.
A vision statement describes the desired future position of the company, or where the company wants to be. Our vision statement at Heritage is as follows: To be the partner of choice by enabling our people to provide a superior customer experience, efficiencies and strategic alignments. Elements of the mission and vision statements may then be incorporated into a statement of the company’s values. These values reflect the way we expect our more than 650 employees to treat our customers, and to serve our member-owners:
As an agricultural cooperative, we believe we have an ethical responsibility to our member-owners to help them do the right thing on every acre of land they farm. We know, for example, that over-application of crop nutrients is still a problem in some areas. And it’s not simply an environmental issue; it’s an economic issue as well. Applying crop nutrients that won’t actually be taken up by crops due to soil or drainage issues, low plant populations or other factors is simply a waste of money.
Fortunately, there are technologies and programs (including financial assistance) available to every farmer today that simply didn’t exist even 10 years ago. Heritage Cooperative is a proud partner with with two national organizations that are leading the way toward a more sustainable agriculture: The Fertilizer Institute, which promotes 4R Nutrient Stewardship, and Land O’Lakes, which has developed a comprehensive farm-to-table sustainability initiative for the entire industry, called SUSTAIN.
To learn more about these important partnerships, click on the links below.
One of the seven principles which guide all cooperative organizations is giving back to the community. At Heritage Cooperative, our commitment to that principle runs deep. Here are a few of the organizations we support with our time, volunteer efforts and financial support:
In 2009, three Ohio-based cooperatives founded this program to raise money for breast cancer research. The idea was to give $1 for every delivery stop of bulk propane. Tanker trucks were wrapped in pink with bold messaging promoting “Fueling the Cure.” The idea took off, and the original co-ops sponsors were joined by a fourth Ohio cooperative as well as a co-op in Indiana. By the end of 2018, the program was expected to surpass more than a million dollars in lifetime donations for cancer research.
Heritage Cooperative is a Silver Sponsor to the Ohio FFA Foundation. The mission of Ohio FFA is to “make a positive difference in the lives of young people by enhancing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agriculture education.”
Heritage Cooperative continues its support of the Ohio River Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America. The mission of the Ohio River Valley Council is “to develop area youth into responsible leaders by fostering self-esteem and providing fun-filled programs that encourage a healthy and value-based lifestyle.”
Heritage Cooperative continues to be a significant contributor to 4-H and FFA Junior Fairs throughout the state. Our mission is to help as many young people as possible by partnering with others to purchase their 4-H and FFA livestock projects.
George has a grain farming operation in Wyandot, Hardin, Hancock, and Seneca Counties. He and his wife, Deborah, have two sons; Kevin and Eric. Kevin, who is currently transitioning into their grain farming operation, is married to Lindsay and has two children. Eric is married to Brandiann and has one child. George was also a member of the board of directors for Farmers Commission Company before the consolidation which created Heritage Cooperative. George is the former President of Nelson Mfg, Nelson Trailers, and Blanchard Land Co. He graduated from the University of Findlay with a degree in Accounting and Economics.
Lamar and his wife Estell farm with his parents Lee and Mary in Trumbull County, near Lordstown. Crops grown include corn, beans, hay, and small grains. They also milk 65 registered Brown Swiss and Holstein cows, and are active in both the Brown Swiss and Holstein Associations. Lamar and Estell have two children, Louis (21), and Marlena (20), both at Ohio State. Lamar is a Mahoning County Farm Bureau member and has served 18 years on Agland’s Board.
Ken owns and operates a family farm with his wife, Janet and son, Alex, in the Muskingum River Valley of Washington County. They have a cow and calf operation selling Angus crossbred feeder calves and alfalfa hay. Ken has served on the Washington Landmark Board (Chairman) beginning in 1996; then the Green Valley Board (Chairman) beginning in 2002; and Agland Co-op Board (Secretary) since through 2014. He has BS and MS degrees from The Ohio State University in Agriculture Education and Ag Economics. He served as an NCO in the Pershing Missile System, US Army Europe. Along with farming he has professionally worked in management and loan administration for 18 years at Farm Credit Services of Mid-America and retired as the General Manager of Washington Electric Cooperative after 20 years of service. Ken and his wife, Janet have four grown children and two grandchildren. Ken is active in the Washington County Farm Bureau and serves on the Ohio Farm Bureau Energy Committee. He has served on the Marietta City School Board for six years and the Washington State Community College Board for six years. Furthermore, Ken chairs the Washington County Extension Advisory Committee.
Bradley has been married since 1980 to his wife Deb, and together they have four grown children. He resides just north of Ada, where he operates a grain farm with his youngest son, Garrett. Bradley has been involved as a director starting with the Ada Farmers Exchange, then the Farmers Commission, and currently with Heritage Cooperative.
Edward is married, has two adult children and seven grandchildren. Currently, he farms in the Northwest Delaware County, raising corn and soybeans. Edward served on the Champaign Landmark Board and then transitioned to the Heritage Cooperative Board after the merger. He also attends and is a member of the Delaware Bible Church.
Randy lives in Homeworth, Ohio with his wife Karen and children, Dustin (23) and Taylor (21). He is part of the Campbell Bros Inc., a family farm with his two brothers. Their 270-acre farm is mainly grain, with corn, beans, along with wheat and hay. The farm also consists of a 70 cow registered Holstein dairy operation. Karen works as an aide at a local school, Dustin works on the family farm, and Taylor is a senior at Kent State University.
Raymond operates Charles F. Bricker and Son Farms LLC near Salem, Ohio. He has three sons, whom are all grown. His farm consists of 1,800 acres of corn, soybeans, and wheat. Raymond also hauls hay and straw and, in the past, was a director for the National Hay Association
Hardin County may be a small community, but Dennis represents a sixth generation farm and his ties run deep. As time permits, he performs electrical work on the side. He and his wife Brenda have farmed together for over 40 years, with the help of his children Melissa Rall, Andrew Comstock, and Bradley Comstock. He has four grandchildren, Aaliyah Comstock, Trenton Comstock, Ethan Rall, and Evan Rall. Dennis is a member of Amictia Lodge #79, the Blanchard Township Zoning Board and both he and his wife are members of Walnut Grove U.M. Church. In addition, he has volunteered to Clerk the Hardin Co. Jr. Livestock sale for many years.
Michael currently farms in the corners of Coshocton, Muskingum, and Licking counties. He is in a partnership with his brother where they raise corn, beans, wheat, and hay. In addition, he operates a cow and calf herd along with a feedlot. Michael participates in a contract hog-finishing barn as well.
Scott and his wife Tammy own and operate a commercial cow and calf operation in Noble County. Their operation consists of 450 head of crossbred cows and 150 head of club cows. He has 1,500 acres of farmland with an additional 800 acres of rented ground, which consists of corn, hay, and pasture. Scott was born and raised on the family farm. He is the third generation to continue to carry on the family farm operation. Scott has served as a past president of the Guernsey County Farm Bureau, past president of the Guernsey Cattleman’s Association, past member of the Guernsey county 4-H Extension Advisory Committee, past director of the Eastern Ohio Angus Association, and a past director on the Green Valley Co-op and Agland Boards. Scott currently serves as director on the board of Heritage Cooperative and serves on the Eastern Ohio Angus association Sale Committee. Scott is also a member of the American Angus Association, Eastern Ohio Angus Association, and Guernsey County Farm Bureau.
Joseph lives in the Northeastern corner of Logan County. He farms 850 acres of corn, beans, wheat, and has a contract feed finisher hogs operation. Joseph has been married to his wife Rebeca for 39 years and they have six grandkids. He serves on the Logan County Soil and Water District as a supervisor and serves in many aspects at his church.
Dale began his board service in 1995 with one of Heritage’s Cooperative’s parent companies, Champaign Landmark. His operation consists of approximately 530 acres of corn, soybeans, and wheat on the south edge of Marysville in Union County. He received his B.S. in Agricultural Education from The Ohio State University, and is a former State FFA Officer. He and his wife, Carol, a retired registered nurse, have three grown children and five grandchildren. He has also served as a trustee with Union Rural Electric Cooperative since 2008, and has been a member of the Paris Township Zoning Commission since 1993. He is an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Marysville, where he currently serves as an organist and teaches a High School Bible class.
Ralph, also known as Brent, has been farming with his wife Angie, in Northern Madison County since 1988. He is the fourth generation on the farm, which was founded in 1914. Brent has been a director with Heritage Cooperative since 1999.