By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Just like all businesses across the state, the Great Bend Coop is making adjustments to the way they operate in order to provide needed services and products to their customers. That is not an easy task with a stay-at-home order from the Kansas Governor.
With 137 employees, the Coop has been deemed an essential service, meaning employees may still travel to and from work during a time when things on the farm are starting to get really busy.
Coop COO Jeff Mauler says protecting employees right now is very important.
"Our main goal is not to have any disruption in our service," Mauler said. "We are at about 31,000 acres to spray down in agronomy. We cannot afford any hiccups there."
CEO Duane Anderson echoed Mauler's comments and says despite the restrictions that have been put in place nationwide, agriculture must go on.
"We have corn and beans to plant, and that needs to happen," said Anderson. "We are really trying to focus on keeping agronomy running."
This week, all Great Bend Coop locations, with the exception of the Great Bend Ampride and C-Store in Russell, are offering curbside service only. Anderson says employees will be on the lookout for customers pulling in and will come to your vehicle to assist you. If you know that you are going to pick up certain items, call ahead and staff will have the items ready to load into your vehicle.
The Coop announced that the 61st Annual meeting scheduled this week has been postponed. Patronage checks were mailed out Monday.