Allied Cooperative has played an integral role in providing farms throughout West Central Wisconsin with everything from fuel for machinery to feed for livestock. They are currently celebrating their centennial and want you to know more about their rich history and influence on the regional agricultural industry. Continue reading to learn more about this agricultural cooperative’s incredible story. 

Allied Cooperative Celebrates 100-Year History

Origins

Although their name only dates back to 2013, Allied Cooperative originally started as a network of co-ops that began doing business  during World War I.  While the world was at war, farmers were seeing prosperity like they had never seen before.  Tractors were revolutionizing the industry and Wisconsin farms were seeing new markets for their goods.

In 1918, farmers in the west central Wisconsin town of West Salem came together to form Farmer’s Co-op Supply & Shipping Association that could enhance their farming operations. The following year, farmers in the neighboring town of Kilbourn formed the Kilbourn Co-op Exchange, and in 1920, the Tomah Farmer’s Co-op Elevator Company was founded, with the Mauston Farmer’s Co-op starting up operations shortly after. 

Development

Over the next 50 years, these co-ops would continue to expand and merge. In 1983, the Tomah Farmer’s Co-op and the Tomah Co-op Oil Association banded together. Just 11 years later, Farmer’s Co-op of West Salem bought out AG Cooperative properties before merging with Farmer’s Central Co-op of Mindoro. In 2001, Farmer’s Union Co-op in Adams and Mauston Farmer’s Co-op (which had previously merged with Kilbourn Co-op Exchange) teamed up to become the Wisconsin River Co-op.

In 2012, Farmer’s Co-op of West Salem and Tomah Co-op Services merged.  Then in 2013 Farmer’s Co-op of West Salem and Wisconsin River Co-op recognized that by joining together they could improve the utilization of their facilities and equipment, add efficiently to their sales and delivery routes and better position themselves for growth.  The co-ops merged and renamed the $200 million co-op Allied Cooperative.  Later that year they purchased grain facilities in Blair and Wisconsin Rapids.  Then in January 2015, Arcadia Co-op joined Allied Cooperative.  

Present Day

Today Allied Cooperative has operations in Adams, Arcadia, Blair, Galesville, Mauston, Mindoro, Plainfield, Plover, Tomah, West Salem, and Wisconsin Rapids.  They provide a wide variety of products and services including agronomy, feed, grain, LP and refined fuels, auto parts, hardware, tires and a convenience store. Give them a call at (800) 247-5679  or visit them online to find out more information about their many products and services.