About Premier Cooperative
Premier Cooperative is an agriculture and consumer supply business, dedicated to providing its member/owners with the products and services they desire. As a cooperative, Premier Co-op returns its profits each year to its members based on the amount of business (patronage) each member does with the company. The company is the result of a merger on March 1, 2000, between Mt. Horeb Farmers Cooperative (est. 1945) and Patrons’ Mercantile Cooperative (est. 1893) of Black Earth. In 2004 Quad County Cooperative of Blanchardville joined Premier and in 2007 Lancaster Cooperative Farmers Union merged with Premier. In early 2008, Premier acquired five agronomy locations from the former Agriliance (owned by regional cooperatives Land O’ Lakes and CHS). In 2011 Consumers Cooperative of Richland County, a diverse consumer and farm supply cooperative, merged with Premier. In addition to these cooperative partnerships, Premier has acquired other smaller private businesses throughout its many years of operations. Each company brought with it a rich history of cooperation in their communities. With its history reaching back to the formation of Patrons’ Mercantile Cooperative in 1893, you are now part of the oldest supply cooperative of its kind in the United States.
Premier operates many different businesses within the cooperative and has locations in 14 communities throughout southwest Wisconsin. Its largest division, when grouped together, is agronomy. The agronomy division features highly trained specialists in everything from plant nutrient deficiencies to custom application of plant food and crop protection products. The feed division is the next largest division. In 2009 Premier opened a new state-of-the-art feed manufacturing facility in Mineral Point to complement the many convenient bagged feed locations throughout its territory. Its team of experienced nutritionists provides customers with the exact diet their livestock need to maximize production. The production, delivery and administrative teams work together to deliver the feed in a professional and timely manner. The grain division offers members a convenient solution to their drying, storage, and marketing needs. Premier’s retail divisions consist of three convenience stores, an automated fueling station, a Do it Best Hardware, a full service lumber yard, and a state-of-the art automotive, truck and tire repair center. The auto and truck center help keep our trucking transports fleet of over 300 vehicles on the road serving our members. The energy division services farm, businesses and homeowners alike with quality fuels, lubricants, propane, and service work for their equipment and home heating needs. And finally, the administrative team provides the support functions of each department from payroll to information technology solutions.
So you can see, while you may do business with only one of the many departments or locations of the cooperative, as a member of Premier you will soon become part owner of a very diverse business enterprise. Feel free to visit the other departments, introduce yourself to the employee team, and get to know your new business. The entire staff at Premier is waiting to exceed your expectations in a safe and compliant manner.
