The goal of AgValidity is to vet the products and services that can be beneficial to farmers ’ productivity and profitability .
GROWMARK Controller Brad Drake leads the Winning Innovations Team , which solicits innovative ideas to improve processes , improve relationships , or improve distribution across the GROWMARK System . He acknowledged there is a combination of failures and successes on the innovation continuum ; however , failures are informative in that they show us what doesn ’ t work .
“ For every successful launch of a new product or an improved process , there are four ideas that we invested time and effort into that didn ’ t succeed ,” Drake said .
Successful innovations launched in the GROWMARK System include the Load Check app , which reduces wait times for drivers hauling crop nutrients from GROWMARK terminals . Also , tank monitors installed on bulk fuel storage track fuel levels , alerting local FS cooperatives when to deliver fuel . In addition , the monitors were were tested on bulk anhydrous bullets , alerting customers of the need to refill .
Drake noted one of the biggest successes to date is the implementation of robotic process automation ( RPA ), a software technology which makes it easy to build , deploy , and manage software robots that can do anything a human can do on a computer . “ The robots can understand what ’ s on a screen , complete the right keystrokes , navigate systems , and
identify and interact with data in our systems . We estimate that by the end of this fiscal year we will have deployed RPA to perform more than 5,000 personhours of manual , repetitive work .”
A video introduced attendees to the myFS Solution Center , which gives farmers access to their data when , where , and however they wish to access it . Orr said myFS is more than an e-commerce platform where farmers can order products and services online .
“ With myFS , farmer-customers work with their local FS crop specialist to gather , analyze , and manage data to improve the decision-making process ,” he said . “ myFS enhances the relationship between the farmer and the local FS cooperative .”
Caucuses and Director Elections
The Shareholder meetings also included caucus meetings to nominate directors up for election / re-election in 2021 . Nominees to the GROWMARK Board are :
• A – Jason Lay , Bloomington , Ill ., Evergreen FS and Kevin Malchine , Waterford , Wisc ., Conserv FS
• B – David Uhlman , Tremont , Ill ., Ag-Land FS
• C – Dennis Neuhaus , Hoyleton , Ill ., Gateway FS
• D – Corey Goodhue , Carlisle , Ia ., AGRILAND FS
• F – no directors up for election
Elections will be conducted by mail again this year , with nominees confirmed and elected at the November 30 virtual Annual Meeting . Also during this virtual
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session , participants will learn of audited financial results , updates from the Chairman and CEO and Vice Presidents , and recognition of member awards and retirees . Registration details for the November 30 virtual annual meeting will be communicated beginning in October .
What does 2022 hold ?
The Shareholder Zone meetings and caucuses and the November 30 virtual annual business meeting were designed to be an alternative to a large in-person meeting in Chicago . “ We are optimistic we will be able to execute our plans for an in-person business / symposium meeting in 2022 ,” Reifsteck said , adding there will also be a separate virtual Annual Meeting later in the year .
The 2022 Agribusiness Symposium is scheduled for August 2-5 , at the Hilton Chicago with speakers focusing on the value of solid relationships now and in the future as we continue to work on addressing the needs of the farmers and customers of the future .
Reifsteck noted the message is clear : System leaders want to gather in person .
“ We also know there is value to using virtual technology to conduct some business aspects of our organization ,” he said . “ A virtual program for that provides an opportunity for more to participate .”
More information , including announcements of the speaker line-up , draft agenda , and entertainment will be communicated early in calendar year 2022 .