The Peetz Farmers' Cooperative Company
originally began doing business under the name of Farmers' Co-op Elevator and
Supply Company. In 1915 the local Farmers' Union group gathered enough
interested stockholders together to purchase an old elevator east of
Peetz. Later on that year, a new elevator was erected and the old one torn
down. This elevator, as well as an elevator in Sterling were all under one
association. Together they handled grain, coal, binder twine, and other
supplies. In 1916, the Peetz elevator broke away from the Sterling
association and incorporated into the 
present name Peetz Farmers Cooperative
Company. In 1917, the elevator was enlarged to hold 8,000 bushels.
The first telephone was then added in 1919. In 1921 it was decided to
discontinue the coal business. 
The company was in enough financial trouble in 1933 that the board considered closing the doors. After cutting expenses (including manager's wages) it was decided to struggle through. By 1939, the company was able to build a feed mixer and grinder. Things were looking better all the time. In 1945, the company purchased an elevator from W. C. Harris Company (presently part of our feedmill today).
The Fifty's was a big expansion period for
the company. In 1950, a major project of building six storage bins was
under taken. By 1954 a new feed shed was added to 
the facility between the
two elevators and in 1955 the new office building was erected. A flat
storage bin holding 120,000 bushels was built in 1958. in 1959 five more
bins were added east of the original six bringing our total capacity to 672,000
bushels.
During the sixties the company did not have any major building projects, just minor up keeping. It was in the early 70's when the Co-op updated their present feedmill and purchased a new feed grinder and mixer, and also built a new feedmill and purchased a new feed truck for on-farm deliveries.
In 1977 it was decided by all the
stockholders to merge the Consumers' Oil Station with the Peetz
Farmer's
Cooperative Company. The Co-op broadened their service to their patrons
with the new service of bulk fuel deliveries including gasoline, diesel and
propane as well as a service station with a variety or car-care products to
choose from. The elevator added four aeration bins in 1979 so that they
could handle wet wheat and more corn at harvest time. By 1982, the
elevator was receiving enough corn that they felt it was beneficial to purchase
a corn dryer that dried 7,500 bushels a day.
From 1983 to 1988, the Peetz Farmers Cooperative Company didn't have any major problems or additions to speak of, but still kept the company rolling smoothly.
In 1989, the Peetz Farmers Cooperative
Company took part in the building of an Ampride C-Store in Sterling,
Colorado. Also, four new bulk feed tanks were added for the feed mill, and
the office was remodeled. Throughout the 90's the Peetz Farmers Coop made
agreements with other co-ops in the area to provide a better service to the Peetz
customers. Horizon Co-op in Sterling agreed to handle fertilizing in the
Peetz area. The Peetz Farmers Cooperative
Company became involved with Royalean Pork (a market hog consignment co-op) in 1990. 
In 1993, the Co-op purchased a feed bag sewing machine, a new truck, a tire machine for the station, a new copier and computer for the office, and cellular phones for the vehicles. New concrete was laid at the station, and new lighting was installed. Our Elevator Superintendent, Dave Deines, was cited for having the cleanest elevator ever seen by the insurance company. In 1994, Peetz and High-Plains Co-ops purchased an anhydrous applicator. Peetz also purchased 15% of the Foxhoven Tire Center, LLC (limited liability corporation.) The tire line included Goodyear and Michelin tires, along with a tire repair truck. The corporation also purchased an old Goodyear store in Sidney, Nebraska. There were also several equipment upgrades made in 1994. The Peetz Farmers Cooperative Company purchased a new fuel truck, and oil-burning stove, a computer for the office, and air compressor.
In 1998, the Peetz Farmers Coop purchased a
new feed grinder/mixer for the feedmill,a new pickup, graphic
logo's for all vehicles, protein and moisture tester, a new mower, and a much
needed hoist for the station were purchased. Once again, many new
purchases were made in 1999. A new computer system was added, along with a
new feed truck, 150,000 bushel grain bin (bringing our total grain capacity to
1,043,000 bushels), installation of an air quality cyclone,
new copy machine, time clock, spin balancer, replacement of the scale platform,
and a new 2000 compatible scale printer. The Ampride and Foxhoven's
investments were
still looking good.
The year 2000 brought on many new changes just as the years before had. The Peetz Farmers Cooperative Company purchased a credit card accessible gas boy machine for the station, and a new software program. Also, a new feed storage shed was built.
In the summer of 2001, The Peetz Farmers Co-op purchased a new probe, hoping to
have it in time for harvest. The probe came in late, so the staff was
forced to probe trucks the "old fashioned way". The probe
finally arrived, and after some difficulties here and there, it was
installed.
Nearly every year since 1980, the Peetz Farmers Cooperative Company has sponsored two teens to go to the Youth Leadership Conference in Liberty, MO. This is a great program for teens to participate in. Every year the youth are very grateful to the Co-op for giving them a chance to participate in this amazing experience.
The Peetz Farmers Cooperative Company has come a long way since 1915. Even though the buildings have grown old, new buildings and products have been added, employees have changed, but our values have not. We're still the small-town company that cares about each of its individual customers, and strives to serve them through it all.
