Published

CHS Foundation supports university precision agriculture and diversity initiatives at Northeast Community College and University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The CHS Foundation recently awarded $1 million to support student learning and success at seven colleges and universities. The funding supported five precision agriculture and two diversity and inclusion projects, including two in Nebraska.   

The CHS Foundation awarded Northeast Community College, Norfolk, Neb., a $250,000 grant to outfit an existing mobile learning lab with more equipment and provide support for taking the simulator into even more high school and college ag classrooms.  The trailer includes activities like soil moisture probes, a two-row precision planter and a variable rate sprayer.  

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln received $80,000 to continue an inclusive student mentor program.  The program will build relationships between minority high school and undergraduate students and agricultural professionals with diverse backgrounds. The goal is to increase women and minority participation in STEM-related agricultural careers.  

“We believe precision agriculture and diversity and inclusion are two of the most pressing issues facing the future of agriculture,” says Nanci Lilja, president, CHS Foundation. “The ag industry needs to be innovative in the way we attract talent and how we evolve our agronomic practices for the future. These seven colleges and universities are delivering on those innovations and have unique approaches to reaching the next generation of ag leaders.”  

The CHS Foundation is funded by gifts from CHS Inc., and develops the next generation of ag leaders through support of cooperative education, ag leadership programs, and university initiatives. For more on the CHS Foundation and funding initiatives, visit chsfoundation.org.  

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Les Klukas named Energy Manager for CHS based out of Brandon, SD

Les Klukas has been with CHS for the past 21 years and the cooperative system for 30 years. He started his career with Farmers Coop of Balaton, which is now part of CHS based out of Brandon, SD. Les grew up in Balaton where he graduated high school and went on to attend St. Cloud State University, obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.

Les began his career as a Certified Energy Specialist in 1998 in Western IA, where he later managed the energy department.  In 2002, Les started with CHS Propane as a Wholesale Account Manager and later transitioned to CHS Hedging as an Energy Market analyst in 2008.  He returned to CHS Propane in 2013 as a Sr. Account Manager before moving to the CHS Energy Equipment group in 2017. 

Les will learn and develop the knowledge for the CHS trade territory based out of Brandon, SD in the coming months and lead the group upon Chuck Springman’s retirement on September 1, 2020. Having Les on staff for the next few months will allow Chuck to mentor, train and transition the remarkable energy business that has been built over the years under Chuck’s direction.  With Les’ wealth of experience in the energy industry, we look forward to a smooth transition and continuing the high-quality products and service you’ve come to know and trust.

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Good Friday Hours

We wish you and your family a very blessed Easter weekend.

All locations will be running normal hours except for those with adjusted hours below.

Adjusted hours:

  • Marshall Office – Closing at Noon
  • Kanaranzi location – Closed
  • Canton Grain – Closing at Noon
  • Ruthton Office – Closing at Noon (Grain and agronomy open normal hours.)
Published

General Manager Update On COVID-19

March 19, 2020

As you are aware, the impact of the global pandemic caused by COVID-19 continues to rapidly evolve. Safety is a core value for CHS and includes a focus on the health and wellbeing of our employees, families, customers and owners, and the communities in which we live and work.

We understand that spring is here, and I want to emphasize; we are open for business. We are simply adjusting some protocols. CHS based out of Brandon, S.D. has implemented the following changes effective Thursday, March 19th, until further notice: 

  • We are limiting access at all locations. We respectfully ask you to contact us through phone or email whenever possible. Some of our locations have enacted split shift schedules; staff that can work remotely, have been asked to do so and will be available via phone or e-mail.
  • If you need a grain check, please contact us and we will mail it promptly, deliver it to local bank for deposit or setup a pickup location outside of the office. 
  • All visitors to our office will be required to complete a questionnaire before entering our facilities. We are also asking all staff and visitors to adhere to the 6-foot distance recommended by the CDC to reduce virus spread.
  • For in-home propane leak checks, inspections or service; customers will be asked to complete a simple screening questionnaire prior to any CHS employee providing in-home service work.    
  • We have restricted face-to-face meetings. Our sales staff will conduct business via phone, text or email. As a company that prides itself on the relationships we have built, this will be a difficult change. However, face-to-face meetings pose a greater risk for everyone involved. If you need to conduct critical business that requires an in-person meeting, please call for an appointment to confirm access to the facility and availability of staff.
  • We ask you to call ahead for product pickup whenever possible, our team will ensure that everything is ready to load upon your arrival.
  •  For those customers or vendors delivering grain or picking up products, we ask that you limit your time in the office to essential business. At some locations, we are asking drivers to remain in their cab. Please check our location policies or watch for information and direction upon arrival.

We will adjust our practices as necessary in the coming days, weeks or months. Rest assured, it is our commitment that we will continue to provide excellent service and support throughout this unprecedented time, even if we must do it differently. We value your business, your trust in CHS and appreciate your understanding during this time. We look forward to resuming normal interactions as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.

Kent Mulder
General Manager
CHS based out of Brandon, S.D.

CHS_Brandon_KentLetter_COVID19_FINAL_3.19.20Download a printable copy.

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