Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company is marking its 100th anniversary this year. The business started in Halstead, KS, in 1918 as Farmers Grain, Stock and Mercantile, taking over the Halstead Milling and Elevator Company.
The Kansan reports that in 1920, Farmers Grain, Stock and Mercantile Company was incorporated. Soon after, the board of directors voted to take over the elevator in Halstead at a cost of $12,500. At that time, wheat was 55 cents/bushel, corn was 50 cents/bushel and oats were 32 cents/bushel.
Farmers Cooperative Elevator, Mt. Hope merged with Farmers Grain Stock and Mercantile, Halstead in 1991, with all locations becoming Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company.
In honor of FCE’s 100th anniversary, the co-op will start awarding four $1,000 scholarships annually — three to children or grandchildren of stockholders and one to a child of an employee.
Read the company's full history here.
