Connection Summer 2013 | Page 7

FROM THE MANAGER You own the cooperative, and the only way you can benefit from this great asset is to use it. continued to grow, and we’ve stacked supplies about as high as we can and still need more space. The new store will allow us to have a wider variety of supplies for our members. The plans are for the new store to be built where our fenced-in gate and post yard are now, with warehouse space behind it. As you can see, we’ve been very busy with all the things going on around your co-op. We have just finished another record year in profits and are waiting on our auditors to finish auditing so we can have our annual membership meeting. Look for your notice of annual meeting, which will be June 26. It is very important for you to attend and vote for the director of your choice to lead your co-op into the future. Also, if you or any member you know wants to run for the Board of Directors, please contact Gary Wendel, chairman of the nominating committee, as soon as possible. Board members have to be members in good standing with the co-op and must support the co-op through loyal patronage. Gary Wendel can be reached at 979-332-2137. If you can’t reach Gary, call our office and we will contact the nominating committee for you. This is a very important right that you have as a member — to vote for the best leaders in the area to guide your co-op. Most crops have gotten off to a rough start, especially the cotton. The warm weather and rains have helped this a little, but the continued high winds have wreaked havoc on this year’s cotton. Hopefully the wind will die down and more rains will help this crop turn around. Most all the corn, grain sorghum and soybeans look good at this point. Hopefully we will continue to get rain for our crops and pasture. Remember, you own the cooperative and the only way you can benefit from this great asset is to use it. Members should advertise the good that your co-op does for agriculture in the area, and ask for more participation from other members and patrons. Between dividends, rebates and different programs, your co-op has paid more than $50,000,000 back to members over the years. Independents put that and more in their pockets. Sincerely, the 31st annual meeting of united agricultural cooperative, inc. for members and stockholders only Wednesday, June 26, 2013 6 p.m., KC Hall, El Campo, TX 7