ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, U.S. — Voting members of Farmers Cooperative Association (FCA), a full-service ag cooperative based out of Brule, Nebraska, U.S. on Nov. 26 approved a merger with CHS Inc. The proposal passed with an 85% approval and will become effective in February 2015, pending appropriate due diligence by both organizations.

The CHS board of directors also must vote on the measure. Upon completion, the business will join with the current CHS Country Operations division, CHS Grainland, headquartered in Holyoke, Colorado, U.S.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for our members,” said Farmers Cooperative Association Board Chairman Lon Stretesky. “We maintained a strong balance sheet which allowed us to join the largest co-op in the U.S. With the CHS commitment to put additional investments into our infrastructure, this is a win-win situation for our members.”

“We are excited to have the producer-owners of FCA become a part of CHS Grainland,” said Casey Gerk, board chairman, CHS Grainland. “One of our goals at CHS is to be an extension of our owners’ farming operations and we look forward to exploring the many possibilities FCA and its employees bring to help us achieve that.”

“CHS continually looks for strategic opportunities that will strengthen our ability to help our farmer-owners grow their businesses,” said Lynden Johnson, executive vice-president, CHS. “We’re very pleased to enhance our local expertise in this trade territory.”

Patrons should expect a smooth transition, including continuity of staffing at its current locations, CHS said. Tim Jimenez will serve as location manager under the new business, reporting to CHS Grainland General Manager Rick Unrein.

In business since 1914, Farmers Cooperative Association serves farmers and ranchers from five locations in southwest Nebraska with a full complement of energy, feed and grain programs and products.