About Us

More than 80 years old, Farmers Union Trading Company was originally started by a few members in the area as Stillwater County Farmers Union. As a new company in the 1940s, they started with just a few products offered such as bulk fuel and tires. The business model allowed the company to get paid patronage from any funds left after all expenses were paid. That is still our model today at Farmers Union Trading Company.

In early 1941, the company opened a station to offer fuel to customers. That station is still in business where we are located today.

Our co-op maintains a close connection to the communities that we serve. Unlike other businesses, a cooperative is member-owned. Our model ensures that each member has a voice in how the co-op works, guaranteeing that each participating member has a vote regardless of the size of their operation.

Who decides what services the co-op offers and how they operate? The members do. The members elect a board of directors, and those board members set policies and develop both short-term and long-term goals. Working together, the board of directors and the management team ensure the members’ vision for the business is brought to life.

Patronage

Each year that the co-op makes a profit, members receive patronage. An independent audit determines if the company has a net profit for the year that is under review. The auditor and board of directors determine the amount of profit that will be distributed back to the membership. The total purchases made by each member throughout the year determines the dollar amount they receive and that is distributed by check and by stocks in Farmers Union Trading Company. Stocks are available to cash out upon retirement.

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