dry and liquid, and manufactured tons for Hawaii are seeing a nice increase as well.
“Wholesale volumes out of AFCO are up 15% and we’re budgeting for similar increases in 2025.”
Wholesale volumes out of AFCO are up 15% and we’re budgeting for similar increases in 2025. Production of our proprietary feeds out of the mill in Spokane are up 10% this year. We have a multiyear reinvestment strategy at our mill to add automation. Our plan is nearing completion with the addition of a robotic bagging line to be installed this winter. That line will significantly increase the amount of feed we’ll be able to manufacture with our existing staff. We’ll share more about that investment with you in a future newsletter. Our Country Stores had another solid year with earnings on pace with last year. We won’t hit the records we hit the past two years, but 2024 was another strong year for us and a good reminder of how important it is for us to have diversified business units. We are seeing growth in private equity investments across our economy. Familiar brands have been sold to private equity investors. Some of those are brands we market, and some of those are brands we compete against. Being a locally directed cooperative has never been more relevant as we navigate a changing business environment.
economic cycles and in slower economic cycles, in bear markets and bull markets, despite what is happening in politics, we must focus on our members and customers. Farmers will still fertilize fields, pets will still eat, animals will still be fed, gardens will be planted, and homes will be heated. It’s up to us and our teams to continue to focus on our customers so we can continue to retain their business. It’s still the core of our mission statement. Kelly and I and our oldest son have shared in the nervous excitement of kids getting back to school this fall. Our youngest started high school, and we have a freshman and a sophomore in college. New schedules, teachers and friends can be a challenge for them, yet it’s a great time in our lives. For busy parents, it’s a nice time to reflect on how far they’ve come, and how far we’ve come. It wasn’t too long ago we were there ourselves. It’s a challenge—but a good challenge—to be taken out of your comfort zone every once in a while.
I share with our leadership team that SFS markets services and products that people need. In good
SFS’s float in the 4th of July parade at Oak Harbor. The photo was taken in front of our Oak Harbor Country Store.
2 | FALL 2024
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