HISTORY/ABOUT US

Montesano Farm & Home began as Grays Harbor Grange Supply in 1935.  The company was originally located in Satsop, Washington.  In 1982, the Western Farmers Association feed store in Montesano was purchased, adding nearly 16,000 square feet of retail and warehouse space.  The business eventually relocated entirely to the Montesano site, and the Satsop site was sold in 1996.  In 2002 the company changed its name to Montesano Farm & Home to better reflect the services and products offered by the company.

MONTESANO FARM & HOME IS A COOPERATIVE

The purpose of our co-operative is to provide quality products and services, at the lowest possible cost, to our customers. That’s why it is often said that co-ops are people oriented. We believe it is important to deliver services in such a way that our customers will be happy and satisfied.  But great service to our customers really takes a team effort—one that grows out of a group of employees who are knowledgeable, skilled, industrious and positive.

While cooperatives have a lot in common with other businesses, there are some differences.  Profits are called savings, and the savings left over each year after the costs of doing business are met, are returned to the customers.  Some of these savings (at least 20%) are returned in cash and the balance returned in stock.  The stock is retired with cash at a later date, depending on co-op policies and available funds.

Cooperatives operate on a one member, one vote policy.  Every common stockholder has an equal voice in a cooperative.  And co-ops are a very democratic part of the free enterprise system.

Any cooperative is owned by those it serves. Montesano Farm and Home is owned by the people who do business here. The member-owners of the co-op elect a board of directors to represent them, oversee the operations and set policies for the co-op.  The board members elect a chairperson to preside and officiate, establish company polices, and hire a general manager to carry out policies.  The general manager supervises the day-to-day operations and manages the co-op.  The general manager is also responsible for hiring the employees of the co-op and providing overall leadership and direction to employees.

Montesano Farm & Home is a part of something bigger.  Your co-op has an interest in and shares ownership in regional agricultural supply and marketing cooperatives like CHS Inc. and Land O’Lakes Inc.

If you are interested in becoming a member-owner of Montesano Farm & Home please contact us..