CHS Inc.

Agronomist Sydney Swanson says the support she gives cooperative farmer-owners in western South Dakota is helping to feed the world, acre by acre. “I’m proud to work for a co-op,” she says. “Everyone at CHS has that same goal: to provide customers with everything they need to have a successful year.”

That's a wrap on our 2024 summer intern program! Interns, their managers and senior leaders came together to celebrate a summer of learning and growth. A few interns shared highlights of their contributions and experience at CHS. We were happy to have nearly 200 interns as part of our team for the summer. Thank you, interns! #CHSIncIntern

We've announced a new joint venture with Brazilian railway operator Rumo to build a terminal at the Port of Santos. Located in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, the terminal is expected to handle 9 million tons of grains and 3.5 million tons of fertilizers annually. “Brazil is a growing producer and shipper of crops that CHS global customers rely on, and this project creates long-term value for our U.S.-based owners by strengthening the position of CHS as a competitive supplier of grains and oilseeds for customers around the world,” says John Griffith, executive vice president, CHS ag business and CHS Hedging. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3WGj8Fw (Photo: DP World)

We're announcing a first-of-its-kind collaboration with AgVend, the leading provider of digital enablement solutions for retail agribusiness. This connection creates a seamless digital experience for our shared U.S. wholesale customers. Beginning in September 2024, our wholesale crop protection customers will have access to place orders, view transaction and invoice history, and to reorder with one easy click within the AgVend platform. While the initial launch is focused on crop protection products, we're planning to expand the experience into other agriculture and energy products, including propane, refined fuels, lubricants and crop nutrients. Additionally, ag retailers using producer financing programs from CHS Capital will soon be able to see loan information, including balances and related details in the AgVend platform. There's excitement about the possibilities that lie ahead. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4cijSq6.

“The average American is five generations removed from the farm, so there’s a lack of understanding about what farmers actually do,” says Nicole Berg, Washington farmer, industry leader and cooperative owner. “We have to prioritize telling agriculture’s story, so we’re not always playing defense. Getting more people involved will help us create a bigger offense.” Berg is a fourth-generation farmer and former president of the National Association of Wheat Growers. She speaks up for agriculture in a big way. Along with her father and two brothers, Berg raises wheat and specialty crops near Paterson, Wash., and is a long-time member of CHS Primeland, based in Lewiston, Idaho. Hear how she balances farming and advocacy.

Our drivers cover a lot of ground each day making deliveries that support the businesses of our farmer-owners and cooperatives. It’s challenging to drive thousands of miles a year without a safety incident, but some of our safest drivers go beyond and earn the CHS Million Safe Mile Award. Only a select few have made it to three million miles since we launched the award in 2019. Lonny Pickerign is one of those select few. "I feel very proud to have reached this milestone,” says Pickerign. “For me, the key to driving all those miles without an incident is to be a conscientious employee and follow the rules set by CHS and the DOT. And, I love driving for CHS, so the miles and the time flew by very fast.“ Based at our Rosemount, Minn., transportation facility, Lonny is our longest-tenured transportation and logistics fleet driver with 36 years of service, starting with a division of Cenex before the company merged with Harvest States to form CHS. More recently, he’s logged about 3,000 miles per week delivering lubricants to several facilities. His manager, Chris Johnson, recently presented him with the award at our headquarters in Inver Grove Heights, Minn., and took him and his family to a Minnesota Twins baseball game. “This is such a rare accomplishment that it took Lonny 36 years to achieve it,” says Johnson. “It takes a lot of self-awareness and skill to remain accident-free for such a long stretch. Lonny’s calm driving demeanor, focus on helping others and commitment to defensive driving techniques are a few key reasons why he was able to achieve this milestone.” Congratulations on three million safe driving miles, Lonny.

Recent shipping disruptions at the Panama and Suez canals increased costs and made U.S. grain less competitive globally.     Neil Johnke, a corn trading expert with CHS, helps us understand the impact of the situation.    Since mid-2023, low water levels have frequently restricted Panama Canal traffic, while geopolitical conflicts have caused ships to avoid the Suez Canal. These issues force ships to take longer, costlier routes.    The Panama Canal's drought has led to restricted ship drafts and higher transit rates, rerouting many grain shipments from the U.S. Gulf to Asia around the Cape of Good Hope, increasing time and fuel costs by 30%. The Suez Canal has seen reduced traffic due to Houthi rebel attacks, further increasing freight rates and rerouting commerce.    “Our logistics experts are working tirelessly to find alternative routes and strategies to keep our supply chain moving despite these challenges,” says Johnke. 

You might ask: What's the potential for career growth at CHS? As a diversified and global company, we offer vast opportunities for your professional growth. You can learn, grow, and advance within the organization. Whether you’re just starting your career or seeking new challenges, our supportive environment empowers you to achieve your goals. Hear from Wendy Wondercheck, one of our recruiters, about how we prioritize employee development and foster career success.

We’re celebrating National Intern Day! Interns are important to CHS as a critical source of talent. Beyond that, “for both audiences – the company and the intern themselves – we have an offering that is valuable," says Jay Debertin, president and CEO, who started with the company as an intern with Cenex. Our internship program allows students to develop in-demand skills while working on real projects, be immersed in our businesses and connect with company leaders. Thank you, interns, for your contributions to CHS. #NationalInternDay #CHSIncIntern

One common area for internships at CHS is engineering. Meet Dawson Blakeslee, an electrical engineering intern at our refinery in Laurel, Mont. Working at a diversified company is something intriguing, he says. "I had seen myself working in a totally different field of electrical engineering, but with the help of this internship, I can see myself working more in energy." #CHSIncIntern