Cooperative Elevator Named Ag Export Champion

By Andi Anderson

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has recognized Cooperative Elevator Company as the state’s 2025 Agriculture Exporter of the Year.

Director Tim Boring presented the award during a ceremony in the village of Pigeon, highlighting the cooperative’s commitment to expanding Michigan’s agricultural reach worldwide.

“Cooperative Elevator Co. is Michigan’s Agriculture Exporter of the Year thanks to their team’s hard work and longstanding commitment to increasing international sales of grain and dry beans,” Boring said. “We are proud to work with businesses that export Michigan-grown products, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen rural communities throughout our state.”

Founded in 1915, the farmer-owned cooperative works with more than 1,100 grower-owners and processes navy, small red, black, and pinto beans, along with organic grains such as food-grade soybeans and white wheat.

Cooperative Elevator exports primarily to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, with additional markets in Canada, South America, and Japan.

The company began exporting in the 1960s with navy beans to Europe and now supports 22 jobs directly tied to exports, generating a significant share of its sales.

Overall, Cooperative Elevator employs more than 200 people across Michigan’s Thumb region and through subsidiaries and joint ventures in Washington, North Dakota, and Manitoba, Canada.

CEO Scott Gordon expressed pride in the recognition, noting that exports of more than $50 million last year brought added value to farmer patrons and strengthened local economies.

“Through the hard work of our dedicated employees and farmer patrons, Cooperative Elevator has positioned itself as a leading supplier of high-quality Michigan-grown beans and grain to consumers across the globe,” Gordon said.

Michigan ranks among the most agriculturally diverse states in the U.S., leading in black bean and small red bean production and contributing nearly $126 billion annually to the state’s economy. In 2024, Michigan agriculture exports set a record at $2.9 billion.

MDARD presents this annual award to companies with products primarily grown or processed in Michigan and a strong record of export growth, innovation, and new market development, reinforcing the state’s global agricultural leadership.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave