Jim Gibson began his career with the co-op, May 17, 1973, over 49 years ago. After graduating High School, he began working part time at the Sterling Station. After fall harvest the grain department offered Jim a fulltime position, which lead to him running the east elevator, which he did for the next 13 years. On and off during his elevator days, Jim would help the Agronomy department, when the grain department was slow, by driving a nurse truck for them. Eventually Jim was offered a fulltime position within the Agronomy Department. This led him to becoming a spray rig operator, which to date is probably one of his favorite jobs he has done for the co-op. Jim remained with the Agronomy Department for 17 years.

Several people were retiring at the Sterling Farm Store and the opportunity arose that would lead Jim back to the farm store. Jim oversaw the NH3 plant, billing, and the dry shed west of the farm store. During this time, he began helping in the Farm Store, waiting on customers, and learning how to make tickets, to help fill in when people were gone to lunch and on vacation. Jim also began running the scale during harvest and when shipping grain out of the elevator.

Eventually the fertilizer was moved to the Sterling Hub for better efficiencies, and Jim became the full-time scale master, yard man and Farm Store clerk. So now we know the rest of the story. Over the years Jim has witnessed many changes in the industry and our co-op. The growth of the company, when he started there were only two locations, Sterling and Alden. Grain trucks held 300 bushels and the technology changes in spray rigs are a few that came to mind.

We wish Jim the best in all his future endeavors and thank him for his hard work and dedication over the years.

There will be a Retirement Party for Jim at the Sterling Farm Store on Tuesday, August 30th from 1-4pm.

Central Prairie Co-op would like to welcome Owen Macfarlane to the team. Owen will be working in the grain department as the Grain Department Advisor.

Owen grew up on a large purebred cattle operation where his passion for the agriculture industry began to flourish at a young age. Not only did he exhibit his own cattle at shows across the country, but eventually he began to sell calves to junior exhibitors to show as 4H and FFA projects at their local level. While in High School, Owen was heavily involved in his local FFA chapter as Chapter President and Star Farmer. Additionally, he had the honor of being elected as a two-time regional officer. Throughout FFA, fueled by his background in the cattle business Owen developed a passion for Livestock Judging and eventually, Owen received a scholarship to Redlands College in El Reno, Oklahoma to compete on the Livestock Judging Team. While At Redlands, Owen had a tremendous amount of success including multiple high individual awards, and his team was named the 2013 Team of the Year.

After careful consideration, Owen then decided to transfer to Texas A&M University to compete on the livestock judging team as well. While at A&M, Owen was on a very competitive team and had a massive amount of success as an individual including being named the High Individual at the 2015 Houston Livestock Show. After competing on the team, Owen was asked to stay on as the Graduate Assistant Coach of the Livestock Judging Team, where he coached very competitive teams that won such contests as the American Royal, National Western Stock Show, State Fair of Texas, and the Houston Livestock Show.

After his time in graduate school, Owen branched out and started his own business assisting in marketing livestock for producers. After years of working all over the nation with his business, he decided it was time to settle down and cut back on traveling so much. The opportunity opened up at Central Prairie Co-op with Grain Marketing Advisor position which Owen feels honored to have received. As Central Prairie Co-op continues to offer the same level of customer service members have come to expect, Owen intends to demonstrate a level of determination and knowledge while serving the Co-op’s patrons that is second to none! When it comes to marketing, risk management and representing the Co-op’s integrity to the highest degree, Owen plans to do that and more! Be sure to contact Owen to find out more about the services he can provide!