GCC HISTORY

R.J. Ackley born

Robert "Bob" Johnson (R.J.) Ackley (GC Coop founder) is born in Winchester, KS (NE of Topeka) on October 10, 1873. Son of Uriah Sanford Ackley and Margaret E. Varner. His mother died when he was six years old and his father was a scout along the Santa Fe trail for the Union Army during the Civil War and wasn't home much of the time so he was watched by his older sisters until family friends, Peter and Margaret (Martin) Noffsinger, Jr. took Bob in and raised him. Pictured: Young Bob - Age 7

R.J. Ackley marriage

R.J. Ackley married Adelia "Delia" Mae Grable, daughter of Thomas Riley Grable and Mary Elizabeth Rousey in Effingham, Atchinson County, Kansas. They had one son, Floyd Elmer Ackley, born December 1, 1898 near Soldier, Kansas. (They later adopted another eight year old orphan, Edgar Milton Anderson in September 1931.)

R.J. Ackley moves to Garden City

R.J. Ackley moves his family to Garden City from Osborne County by covered wagon.

R.J. Ackley meets T.M. Jones

Shortly after moving to Garden City, R.J. met Thomas Martin (T.M.) Jones and the two become involved in the real estate business for two years. Ackley also built up a herd of registered Shorthorn cattle on a tract of land twelve miles Northeast of Garden City.

First Charter Signed

First charter for the "Garden City Farmers Cooperative Equity Exchange" signed on July 13, 1915 by R.J. Ackley, T.M. Jones, A.R. Towles, D.D. Moore, C.P. Hamilton and contained the names of 20 stockholders.

First General Manager

L.A. Dockum – First General Manager

Woodworth Becomes GM

Charles G. Woodworth, G.M.

Meeting Announced To Vote To Disband

Stockholders of GCEE announce a meeting regarding selling their business to Ball Manufacturing.  

Stockholders Vote To Sell Co-op

Stockholders vote to sell the cooperative to the Ball Manufacturing Company of Hutchinson, Kansas.  

Co-op Disbands

Farmers vote to disband after Dr. Samuel E (S.E.) Ball convinces them to invest in a chain store catalogue business venture that turned out to be a scam.

Ball Manufacturing renames facility

Facility is renamed "GARDEN CITY GRAIN & PRODUCE CO" as shown on this notice of office closure for the 4th of July in the Garden City Herald, June 29th 1916. 

R.J. Ackley begins his Secy/Treas role on the board

Crops had not been good during this time but farmers had had luck with black amber cane seed, selling it for dyestuff. After it was discovered that the cane seed was being contracted to farmers through the non-co-op manager @ $1.50/cwt (while being worth $7.00/cwt), farmers approached Ackley again and pleaded for him to start another cooperative. R.J. Ackley was more apprehensive this time around but finally obliged and a new charter was eventually signed in August.

R.J. Ackley becomes Vice President

During the August 12th meeting, R.J. Ackley requested to be removed of Secretary/Treasurer duties and take on the role of Vice President and nominated Charley (C.E.) Adams to the role of Secretary /Treasurer. Motion passed. Other members present: T.M. Jones, L.L. Crabb, Henry Myers (or possibly Meyer).

First Elevator Purchased

First wooden frame elevator in Garden City purchased from J.E. Kirk August 15th with a 10,000 bushel capacity for $10,750.

Re-Chartered

The new charter was signed August 16, 1919.

First General Manager

Howard H. Everly becomes the first General Manager under the new charter

1920 Board Election

GCC Board of Directors were as follows: Frank Reed - President (Chairman) of the Board, R.J. Ackley - Vice President, Charley (C.E.) Adams – Secretary/Treasurer, T.M. Jones & Henry Myers - Directors.

Contracted with U.S. Grain Growers

The Garden City Cooperative Equity Exchange contracts with U.S. Grain Growers.

R.J. Ackley Elected As President

R.J. Ackley is elected as President / Chairman of the Garden City Co-op Board of Directors during the August 23rd meeting. Henry Myers – V.P., C.E. Adams – Secretary / Treasurer, T.M. Jones & Frank Reed - Directors

Second Elevator Purchased

Garden City Co-op's second wooden elevator at Garden City purchased from Colorado Milling and Elevator Co. with a 60,000 bushel capacity

G.A. Smith Hired as GM

Everly is let go in April, G.A. Smith hired as General Manager.

Frank Beaty Hired as GM

G.A. Smith resigns in June, Frank (L.F.) Beaty hired as General Manager.

The Garden City Co-op begins handling cream

Walter Hopkins becomes GM

Frank Beaty leaves, Walter (W.G.) Hopkins becomes General Manager.

Investment in Union Oil Company

The Garden City Cooperative Equity Exchange becomes one of five cooperatives to invest in the Union Oil Company in Kansas City, Missouri. Union Oil Company was first started as Cowden Oil Company in 1928 by Howard A. Cowden and in 1929 became Union Oil Company. R.J. met Howard who had conceived of this regional wholesale cooperative. Union Oil became Consumers Cooperative Association in 1935 and then Farmland Industries September 1st, 1966.

First Gas Station

The GCC buys and operates its first gas station and feed store station on April 17th for $1,150.

The Farmer’s Cooperative Commission Company

In the early 1930s, the Garden City Co-op takes a leading role in forming a regional co-op involving cooperatives in the Southwest Kansas area called The Farmer’s Cooperative Commission Company.

Pierceville Elevator Built

Pierceville Elevator was built, a wooden frame elevator holding 18,000 bushels, purchased for $12,519.

Peterson Elevator Acquired

Peterson Elevator, belonging to former G.M. H.H. Everly of Everly Grain Co. (1.5 miles East from the current Wolf Elevator) was sold to the Garden City Co-op.

Tennis Elevator Acquired

Tennis elevator acquired for $12,870.58. This wooden elevator had 15,000 bushels of storage and was named after E.A. Tennis - the general manager of the Garden City, Gulf and Northern Railroads, having access to railroad service.

Lowe Elevator Purchased

The Garden City Cooperative Equity Exchange purchased the Lowe elevator - a wood frame elevator with a storage capacity of 15,000 bushels for $7,000.

Eugene (E.E.) Kelley hired as G.M.

Walter (W.G.) Hopkins leaves and Eugene Kelley is hired as the new General Manager of the Garden City Cooperative.

Purchase of Government Bonds

The Garden City Cooperative Equity Exchange begins purchasing government bonds for the war effort (World War II).

Delbert Anderson Hired as GM

Eugene (E.E.) Kelley leaves, Delbert Anderson hired as General Manager.

Garden City "A" - First Concrete Elevator Built

The first concrete elevator just south of the Garden City headquarters Garden City "A" was built. The head house and west storage tanks had a storage capacity of 625,000 bushels.

Herby L. Johnson Hired as G.M.

Elbert Anderson leaves and Herby Johnson is hired as General Manager of the Garden City Cooperative.

GCC supports Cooperative Hospital

The Garden City Cooperative Equity Exchange donates $10,000 to the Cooperative Hospital in Garden City.

Garden City "A" Expansion

An additional 700,000 bushels of storage was built at Garden City "A", bringing the total storage capacity to 1,325,000 bushels and was declared as the world's largest country elevator, receiving grain directly from farmers. It has two 8,000 bushel per hour legs, one 10,0000 bushel per hour leg and a 1,500 bushel per hour dryer.

Original Garden City Elevator Sold

The first wooden elevator bought in 1919 is sold.

Lowe Elevator burns down

In October of 1948, the Lowe Elevator was destroyed by fire.

Clutter elected board chairman

Herb Clutter is elected chairman of the board of the Garden City Cooperative Equity Exchange.

Lowe Elevator Rebuilt

In January of 1949, the Garden City Co-op board voted to rebuild Lowe as a loading point concrete elevator with additional storage later as needed.

Wolf Elevator Constructed

In November, the Wolf elevator finished construction with a 100,000 bushel, four-tank headhouse with a 5,000 bushel/hr elevating leg for $90,300.

Wolf Petroleum Facilities Added

The Garden City Co-op added Petroleum handling facilities to Wolf at the members request. A 12,000 gallon above ground storage tank and 1,000 gallon underground tank were added.

Charleston Elevator Purchased

Charleston elevator was purchased from the Moore Grain Company in February with a 105,000 bushel capacity and an additional wooden frame elevator with a 17,000 bushel capacity at a cost of $166,000.

Lowe Elevator Completed

The Lowe elevator finishes construction at a cost of $59,145. It has a storage capacity of 45,000 bushels.

Charleston Addition

The Garden City Co-op adds an additional 150,000 bushels to Charleston.

Tennis Constructs Concrete elevator

Tennis constructs its concrete elevator with 500,000 bushel capacity at a cost of $248,000.

Clutter Appointed to U.S. Grain Advisory Committee

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Charles F. Brannan appoints Board Chairman Herb Clutter to be a member of the U.S. Grain Advisory Committee.

Clutter Helps Form the National Association of Wheat Growers

Herb Clutter is instrumental in forming legislation that led to the formation of the National Association of Wheat Growers and is elected as the first President of the organization.

Equity Federal Credit Union (Later Golden Plains Federal Credit Union) formed

Equity Federal Credit Union is formed in 1951 as a credit union with an initial investment of $10,000 in assets for members and employees of the Garden City Co-op. Former GM Harley Foulks was office manager as his first position with the Co-op and the credit union had $400,000 in assets (in 1953). By 1972 membership was open to the public and assets were upwards of 3 million. Offices were at the Co-op headquarters before moving to Kansas Avenue in 1973.

Clutter Helps Form the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers

Following the success of the N.A.W.G., Clutter helped to form the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and served as that organization's first President as well.

Lyon hired as G.M.

Kenneth M. Lyon hired as General Manager of the Garden City Co-op

Eisenhower Appoints Clutter to Farm Credit Board

President Eisenhower appoints GCC Board Chairman, Herb Clutter, to his newly established Federal Farm Credit Board, of which he served a four year term, but declined reappointment in 1957.

Pierceville Adds Petroleum Services

Two 3,500 gallon tanks were installed at Pierceville, providing diesel and petroleum services for the first time.

Wolf Adds First Annex

Wolf's first annex of 315,000 bushel storage capacity is completed in December, bringing Wolf's total storage capacity up to 415,000 for a cost of $125,000.

Fertilizer Department and Anhydrous Ammonia Plant Installed at Lowe

GCC members encourage the Board to engage in the distribution and application of fertilizer. A fertilizer department is created and an anhydrous ammonia plant is installed at the Lowe location that August.

Pierceville Erects Concrete Elevator

A concrete elevator is erected in Pierceville, holding 510,000 bushels for $274,000.

George Voth Jr. Hired As G.M.

Peterson Elevator Sold

The Garden City Co-op sold the Peterson Elevator to Albert Goss. Goss later sold it to Roy L. Jones who had planned to move it to his farm at the beginning of 1966, but a fire broke out in the early morning of Tuesday, December 7, 1965 and burnt to the ground. The elevator had sat empty for several years.

Clutter Helps Form Kansas Wheat Commission

Herb Clutter is instrumental in creating legislation that allows for the formation of the Kansas Wheat Commission.

Lowe Builds First Fertilizer Warehouse

The first Dry fertilizer warehouse at Lowe is built for $29,700.

Tennis Adds Annex

Tennis Elevator adds an additional 20 tanks, increasing it's storage capacity by another 500,000 bushels at a cost of $182,500.

Tennis Wooden Elevator is removed

Charleston Addition

Charleston adds another 236,000 more bushel storage capacity for $105,000.

Lowe Addition

Lowe adds an annex to the elevator, increasing its capacity by 312,500 bushels at a cost of $130,000.

Wolf Addition

Wolf adds a second annex with 505,000 bushel capacity bringing total storage to 913,000 bushels for $183,000.

R.J. Ackley Retires from the GCC Board of Directors

After serving on the Garden City Co-op Board of Directors for 39 years, R.J. Ackley retires in May.

R.J. Ackley Dies

After a brief illness, R.J. Ackley dies on November 3, 1958, at the age of 85.

Charleston Adds Third Annex

Charleston builds its third annex with an additional 500,000 bushels, bringing the total licensed capacity of Charleston to 1,012,000 at a cost of $240,500

Petroleum Plant Added in Garden City

A bulk petroleum plant is constructed on the western edge of Garden City with a fleet of delivery trucks for $53,500.

Clutter Family Murdered

On November 15, Chairman of the GCC board, Herb Clutter, was tragically murdered along with his wife Bonnie, daughter Nancy, and son, Kenyon, at their home in Holcomb, Kansas by Perry Smith and Dick Hickock. Two grown daughters no longer residing in Holcomb survived. The family's murder shakes the community and makes waves nationally through Truman Capote's book, "In Cold Blood". Clutter was an agricultural pioneer who's vision helped shape the Garden City Co-op into what it is today.

Reeve Assumes Chairman Duties

Following the death of Herb Clutter, November 16th, Vice Chair, Chester "Chet" Lee Reeve assumed the role of Chairman of the GCC Board of Directors.

Feed Mill Constructed

A Feed Mill is constructed at the main headquarters in Garden City at a cost of $435,000 and has a 80 ton/day producing capacity

GCC Changes insurance over to KFSA

General Manager George Voth is instructed to transfer elevator and truck insurance coverage to the Kansas Farmers Service Association in February. KFSA is a cooperative owned insurance company.

GCC negotiates loans with the Wichita Bank for Cooperatives

The GCC board authorized GCC management to negotiate loans with the Wichita Bank for Cooperatives. The loan could not exceed $1.97 million at any one time. (Wichita Bank for Cooperatives would later become CoBank, of which, GCC director of the board, Otis Molz was instrumental in reorganizing and serving as the first chairman under the newly formed "CoBank".)

Contribution made for Rock Springs facility in memory of the Clutter family.

The GCC Board of Directors give $5,000 in April to erect a facility known as the registration shelter at Rock Springs Ranch in memory of the Clutter family.

Chairman Reeve Dies

On September 15, GCC Chairman Chester "Chet" Lee Reeve passed away after a lengthy illness. He was 70 years old.

Vice Chair Ralph Gross made Chairman of the GCC

Vice Chair Ralph Gross was made GCC Chairman September 19th, succeeding Chairman Reeve after his death.

GCC Buys Deerfield Elevator

The Garden City Cooperative Equity Exchange purchased the Deerfield elevator from former GCC manager Eugene (E.E.) Kelley - a 32,000 bushel wooden cribbed elevator for $45,000.

Main Office Constructed

The Garden City Co-op's Main office at 106 N. 6th Street is built at a cost of $352,173.

First Board Meeting Held in New Office

The Board of Directors of the Garden City Cooperative Equity Exchange held their first meeting in the board room of the new office building in May.

GCC Invests in Experiment Station Research Center

The Garden City Co-op gives $2,000 for the development of a research center at the Garden City Experiment Station (NE corner of town - East of Jennie Barker road), now K-State Southwest Research-Extension Center.

Garden City Co-op Rents IBM Machine

The Garden City Co-op decides to install IBM equipment on a rental basis October 24, 1963 - the first cooperative in the area to have computers and is ultimately what led Sherman Baird to leave his previous place of employment and come work for the Garden City Co-op in 1964. Baird held the role of Assistant Manager which later became the V.P. of Grain for GCC. Pictured (l) Dave Babcock, (r) Sherm Baird

Hay Plant Constructed

The Garden City Co-op constructs a Hay Mill near the west side of Garden City in November for $392,741.

Anhydrous Ammonia Substation built at Plymell

An Anhydrous Ammonia Substation is built in the Plymell area at a cost of $17,000.

GCC Assists In Formation of Beef Processing Facility

The Garden City Cooperative Equity Exchange assists in forming a beef processing facility East of Garden City. This facility merged with Farmland Foods a few years later (after Farmland sold it, it was bought by Monfort and finally ConAgra before an electrical fire shut the factory down in 2000.)

Deerfield Adds Anhydrous Ammonia Substation

Deerfield constructs anhydrous ammonia storage for $12,204.

CCA Changes to Farmland Industries

In June a resolution is adopted that authorizes a vote a in favor of changing the name of the regional cooperative (that the Garden City Co-op is a part in) from CCA to Farmland Industries.

GCC Sells Charleston Wooden Elevator

The Garden City Co-op sells the wooden elevator at the Charleston location (This elevator would later be torn down in 1980).

GCC Constructs Feedlot in Deerfield

The Garden City Co-op constructs a 360 acre feedlot in Deerfield with land purchased from the Garden City Company for a total cost of $1,087,000.

GCC Helps Form Regional Cooperative Far-Mar-Co

The Garden City Co-op plays a leading role in uniting four regional grain marketing cooperatives including Farmer's Cooperative Commission Company into Far-Mar-Co - a strong grain marketing regional cooperative that serves farmers in four states, based in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Pierceville Adds Office and Petroleum Service Station

Pierceville adds an office and a petroleum service station for $44,300.

Frank Lightner elected Chairman

Frank Lightner is elected Chairman of the Garden City Co-op Board of Directors.

GCC Adopts Resolution Concerning a Merger Between Far-Mar-Co & Farmland Industries, Inc.

GCC purchases shop and warehouse in Garden City

GCC shop building and McAllister Warehouse purchased for $18,000 ($15,000 for shop, $3,000 for warehouse).

Tennis Adds Anhydrous Ammonia

Tennis adds Ammonia storage for $13,500.

Voth Resigns as G.M.

George Voth Resigns as General Manager in March, effective August 31st, taking an offer from Far-Mar-Co.

Foulks hired as G.M.

Harley Foulks is hired as the new General Manager of the Garden City Co-op, replacing Voth.

New Dry Fertilizer & Bulk Plant at Lowe

Lowe builds a new dry fertilizer and bulk plant that is five times larger than the old building for $191,151.

Pierceville Adds Storage Space

Pierceville adds on an additional 582,000 bushels of storage space - bringing the total capacity to 1,092,000 bushels at a cost of $398,000.

Plymell Adds Liquid Nitrogen

Plymell adds underground liquid storage for 28% liquid nitrogen for $12,489.

Gano Elevator Purchased

GCC purchases the Gano elevator (named for George Gano) from Far-Mar-Co with a storage capacity of 650,000 bushels at a cost of $700,000.

Deerfield Adds Nitrogen and Bulk Fuel

Deerfield gets pit storage tanks, holding 350 tons of 28% Nitrogen for $12,489 and three 10,000 gallon bulk fuel tanks and pumps for $16,000.

Hay Plant Discontinues Pellet Production

The plant stopped producing hay pellets in the fall, citing poor margins.

Southwest Carpet and Tile Building Purchased

The Southwest Carpet and Tile building was purchased for the Co-op Farm and Home Center at 6th and Fulton ($152,000) as well as 5th St. Warehouse ($45,000). Remodeling costs for both structures was $50,000 for a total cost of $247,000.

Far-Mar-Co Merger

In February, GCC votes for Far-Mar-Co to merge with Farmland Industries.

Garden City Co-op Invests in Servi-Tech

The Garden City Co-op becomes one of the first cooperatives in the area to partner with Servi-Tech, a Crop Service Program. Formed in 1975 and the brain child of Chet Fairbanks-Cimarron Co-op, Stan Simpson-Dodge City Co-op and Dale Allen-Montezuma Co-op; these three cooperatives realized the need for technical services for area farmers. By mid 1976, the GCC signed on. The Dodge City office was the flagship laboratory (built 1977), with Rollie Stuckenholtz serving as manager.

Co-op Car Care Center Built

The GCC Co-op Car Care Center is built at a cost of $940,000. Service stations open at Deerfield and Pierceville locations. Midas Franchise is added in 1987.

Deerfield Builds New Concrete Elevator

A new 1,077,000 bushel concrete elevator was built at Deerfield with two 10,000 bph legs.

Hay Plant Is Shut Down

The Garden City Co-op shuts down the Hay Mill and sells the equipment in February and levels the building in 1979 out of safety concerns.

GCC Closes Farm and Home Center

GCC closes the Co-op Farm and Home Center - leases buildings to Dale's Furniture.

Farmland Beef Processing Plant Closes

Farmland Beef processing plant closes, being bought by Monfort.

Funk Elected GCC Chair

Rodger Funk is elected as the Chairman of the GCC Board of Directors

Garden City Western Railway Purchase

The Garden City Co-op purchases the Garden City Western Railway as a subsidiary of the GCC that includes fourteen miles of track, running from the Western edge of G.C. to the Kearny Co. Line, the land under all the businesses, road bed, roundhouse, two locomotives, two small buildings and office equipment and inventory for $800,000.

Tennis Adds Extra Storage

Tennis adds another 275,000 bushels of storage with the construction of a steel tank, bringing its capacity to 1,275,000 bushels.

Deerfield Feedlot Is Sold

Country Corner Started

Country Corner, a subsidiary of the Garden City Co-op, is started with the conversion of the Econo Station into a Convenience Store & Truck stop.

Molz Elected GCC Chairman

Otis Molz is elected as the Chairman of the GCC Board of Directors

Bulk Oil Facility Installed

A bulk oil facility is installed at the bulk petroleum facility on the West edge of town.

AFS System Added to Country Corner

A fully automated AFS System is introduced to the Country Corner fuel sites.

Feed Warehouse And Store Added

A new feed warehouse and store is built across the street from the main office.

Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 Enacted

President Regan had signed legislation that was in response to the financial crisis of the early to mid 1980s that affected farmers and their lending institutions. GCC board chair Otis Molz's desire was to merge the banks for cooperatives for the benefit of their members. This legislation paved the way for CoBank.

5th St. Warehouse Leased to Dale's Furniture

CoBank Is Formed

The Wichita Bank for Cooperatives merges with ten other banks to form CoBank, giving a lot more financial flexibility, largely thanks to the leadership of Otis Molz. He serves as a director on the board from the very beginning.

GCC Purchases New Locomotive

The Garden City Co-op purchases a new locomotive for the Garden City Western Railway for $165,000.

Foulks Retires, Clubine Hired as G.M.

Harley Foulks retires and Irvin Clubine is hired as the new General Manager of the Garden City Co-op.

Deerfield Tears Down Old Elevator

Deerfield's old wooden frame elevator is removed.

Molz Elected Chairman of CoBank Board

Otis Molz is elected chairman of the CoBank Board of Directors. A position he would retain until 2003.

Farmland Industries and Union Equity Consolidation

In April, GCC passes a motion to support the consolidation of Farmland Industries and Union Equity.

Car Care Center Leased

In the Fall, GCC Board of Directors move to lease all but two bays at the Car Care Center.

Rome Elected Chairman

Mike Rome, Jr is elected as the Chairman of the GCC Board of Directors.

Askren Plant Constructed

The Askren Anhydrous Ammonia Plant was constructed in August.

Garden City Western Railway Liquidated

GCC Board liquidates the GCWR in the Fall, consolidating railway operations into the Co-op as part of a new Transportation Division.

Car Care Center Sold

The Midas Car Care Center is sold to USD #457 in July for $445,000 cash.

Hands elected as GCC Board Chair

Greg Hands is elected as the Chairman of the GCC Board of Directors

GCC Creates Windriver Grain

The Garden City Co-op forms Windriver Grain LLC with Cargill, Inc. and constructs a train shuttle loader in Garden City. Later, Sublette Cooperative Inc., Irsik and Doll, and Scott Cooperative Association are added as additional owners.

Investment in East Kansas Chemical L.L.C

The Garden City Co-op bought 10% of East Kansas Chemical L.L.C. for $180,000 in February of 1998. General Manager Irv Clubine served on the Board of Managers for Garden City.

Friend Elevator Purchased

The Friend Elevator was purchased from Cargill, Inc in April. It holds 240,000 bushels in the concrete portion and 84,000 bushel capacity in the steel tanks with another 190,000 bushels in the flat storage building for a total storage capacity of 514,000 bushels.

Garden "Elevator B" Purchased

GCC purchases Garden City "Elevator B" from Cargill, Inc. in April.

Garden City Co-op Goes Online

The Garden City Co-op The Garden City Co-op creates its first website. It is hosted by Hubris Communications.

Pierceville Adds Storage

Pierceville adds on an additional 450,000 bushels of storage space, bringing the grand total to 1,621,000 bushels.

Lowe Adds Storage

An additional 930,000 bushels of storage was added to Lowe, bringing it's total licensed storage capacity up to 1,342,000 bushels and a new 12,000 bph leg.

Friend Adds Storage

An additional 520,000 bushels of storage were added to the Friend elevator along with a new 12,000 bph leg, bringing total storage capacity up to 1,034,000 bushels.

GCC Becomes Ruby Fieldmaster Dealer for Cenex in April

GCC Exits Feed Mill Business

The Garden City Co-op exits out of the feed mill business

Drees Elected Chairman of The GCC Board

Duane Drees Is elected as chairman of the GCC Board of Directors.

GCC Purchases Applehans Oil

The Garden City Co-op purchases Applehans Oil in April - a bulk fuel and lubricants business in Garden City from Pete & Kathie (Applehans) Maestas.

McClelland Becomes G.M.

John McClelland replaces Irvin Clubine as G.M.

Petroleum Offices Move Location

The Petroleum offices move from the bulk plant on the west edge of town to the old feed mill and store across the street from the main office in August.

Lear Elected Chair of the GCC Board of Directors

Boyd Lear is elected Chairman of the Garden City Co-op Board of Directors.

Merger with Farmer's Cooperative Elevator and Mercantile Association of Dighton

The Garden City Co-op merged with the Farmer's Cooperative Elevator and Mercantile Association of Dighton in April. GCC gains Dighton Elevator (1,751,000 bushels), DIghton Air Dome (1,300,000 bushels), Amy (1,611,000 bushels), Alamota (1,050,000 bushels), Shields (668,000 bushels) and Utica (1,359,000 bushels).

Acquisition of Sullivan Grain, Inc. In Ulysses

The Garden City Co-op acquired Ulysses (3,004,000 bushels), Milepost (722,000 bushels), Hickok (946,000 bushels) and Lakin (150,000 bushels) elevators from Sullivan Grain, Inc. in Ulysses in June.

Acquired Arnold Elevator (736,000 bushels) from Right Co-op

Dighton's Air Dome Destroyed

Dighton's Air Dome was destroyed from the weight of the ice during the January 2007 Ice Storm that affected Kansas as well as much of the Midwest, New England and Canada.

Merger With Ransom Co-op

GCC gains Ransom Elevator (1,133,000 bushels) through merger with Ransom Co-op.

Utica, Ransom and Arnold Elevators Sold

GCC sells Utica, Ransom and Arnold Elevators to Frontier Ag in December.

Fuel Tank Installed At Lowe

One million gallon fuel tank (left) installed at the Lowe location in February.

Purchase of JM Terminal

The Garden City Co-op purchases the JM petroleum terminal North of Scott City at the Magellan Midstream Terminal in August.

Second Fuel Tank Installed At Lowe

Two million gallon fuel tank (right) installed at the Lowe location in November.

Deerfield Expands Storage

Deerfield elevator expands its storage by another 800,000 bushels in the Fall, bringing it's total capacity to 1,800,000 bushels.

GCC Moves Dighton NH3 Plant

The Garden City Co-op moves the Dighton NH3 plant out of city limits to two miles North of town in April.

Shields Expands Storage

GCC expands Shields storage capacity with an additional 809,000 bushels with the construction of four new McPherson (McPherson Concrete) bins, bringing the combined storage capacity to 1,477,000 bushels.

Wolf Expands Storage

Wolf expands its storage capacity in the Fall, with the addition of 800,000 bushels, making the total licensed storage capacity of Wolf elevator 1,600,000 bushels.

Compton NH3 Plant Built

The Compton NH3 Plant was built in December.

Plymell Elevator Built

The Plymell Elevator is built in the Fall. It is the first autonomous elevator GCC owns. It has a licensed storage capacity of 1,061,000 bushels.

Mulville Elected Chair

Tom Mulville elected chairman of the board of directors.

Plymell Adds Anhydrous Plant

An Anhydrous Ammonia Plant is added to the Plymell location in January.

GCC Logo Gets A Facelift

The Garden City Co-op gets an updated look, dropping "Garden City Co-op" from the logo to just "GCC".

Lowe Expansion

Six more McPherson bins were added at Lowe for a total of 836,253 bushels for a gran total licensed storage capacity of 2,261,000 bushels and a 20,000 bph leg.

Sale of East Kansas Chemical (EKC)

The GCC board approves the sale of EKC. The sale happened in April and proceeds were split between increasing working capital, equity retirement to members and several building projects.

Rock Island Elevator Built

In the Fall of 2014, The Rock Island Elevator was built. It is the second autonomous elevator, holding a total storage capacity of 1,061,000 bushels.

Chemical Warehouse Constructed at Lowe

A new chemical warehouse was constructed at our Lowe location, finished in February. It is 100 feet wide by 450 feet long.

GCC Partners With South Dakota Wheat Growers

The Garden City Co-op partners with South Dakota Wheat Grower's Ag Technology Platform "MZB", using zone mapping and other precision ag technology to use resources more efficiently in 2016, becoming a mapping center in 2017.

GCC Constructs Rock Island's NH3 Plant

An Anhydrous Ammonia facility is constructed at the Rock Island location in June.

Hands elected Chairman of the Board

Tyler Hands is elected Chairman of the Board of Directors.

MZB Changes It's Name

South Dakota Wheat Grower's Ag Technology Platform "MZB" rebrands as "FieldReveal".

Lowe Moves Anhydrous Operation

The Lowe location moves their Anhydrous Ammonia facility and constructs a larger one to the North end of their location, completing it in April.

GCC Partners with Winfield United On New Website

The Garden City Co-op partnered with Winfield United on a new website design and structure. The first phase of the process and the switchover happened June 22, 2018.

McClelland Retires, Boyd Selected as New G.M.

John McClelland announced his retirement and the board selected C.F.O. Jeff Boyd as the next G.M. and CEO of the Garden City Co-op.

GCC Changes Logo

The Garden City Co-op commemorated it's centennial year with a special logo.

GCC Changes Logo

After it's centennial year, the GCC changed it's logo to be a more web and social media friendly, horizontal design.

Construction Begins on River Valley Terminal

Work begins on GCC's 1.1-million-bushel transloading grain facility with rail access to the BNSF line.  

Read more about the project here:  https://www.gccoop.com/new-elevator-terminal-project-information

 

Hooker Equity Exchange Merges with GCC

Members of the Hooker Equity Exchange held a special meeting September 22, 2022 to vote on a merger with GCC.  The vote passed 52-4.  

The merger officially took place December 15, 2022.

Combined grain storage of the elevator and flats equal a federally licensed grain capacity of 5,821,000 bushels with the main Hooker Elevator holding 96,652 bushels of that total.  

GCC now handles over a total of over 37 million federally licensed bushels with the addition of our Hooker location location.