Grainnet

Fairmont, MN--CHS (formerly Cenex Harvest States) symbolically "cut the ribbon" Wednesday commemorating the impending opening of its second soybean crushing facility in Fairmont, MN.

The ceremony happened during an open house for the community at the plant.

In addressing the open house guests, Mike Toelle, CHS Board of Directors chairman and one of the system's producer-members noted that there was much more than bricks and mortar to "see" today.

"What I really 'see' when I look at this facility is opportunity," said Toelle.

"I see a future of added value for the soybeans that farmers in this region raise. Farming is difficult today and I expect it will always be a challenge.

"It's with efforts like these -- to really take what we raise that next step - that we can truly reap an additional return on every bushel of beans we raise. And that's the best harvest of all."

Joining Toelle as presenters for the event: CHS President and Chief Executive Officer, John Johnson; CHS Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Mark Palmquist; and Fairmont City Councilman Wes Clerc.

Among the many honored guests were Commissioner Gene Hugoson, Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Bob Wallace, Fairmont Chamber of Commerce President; and Jim Zarling, Fairmont City Administrator.

Upon official opening next month, this plant will crush approximately 110,000 bushels per day - doubling the current crush output by CHS.

Situated on 26 acres of a larger 200-acre site, the Fairmont plant's 45 new employees have been on site and involved in an intensive training program since June.

CHS is a diversified agricultural foods company committed to providing the essential resources that enrich lives.

A Fortune 500 company, CHS is owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Northwest and from the Canadian border to Texas, along with thousands of preferred stockholders.

For more information, contact Lisa Graham-Peterson at 800-232-3639, ext. 4523, or Lani Jordan at 800-232-3639, ext. 4946.

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