Members Approve the Merger of Viafield, Northern Country Cooperative

The farmer members of Northern Country Cooperative and Viafield have voted in favor of merging of the two agriculture retail companies.

Northern Country Board President Dave Huper said in a statement of the vote on Tuesday (September 12), “We are grateful for the trust our fellow members showed in this merger vote. It is through that active member ownership that we will be able to further strengthen the  services and resources for our farmer-owners.” 

The two organizations together employ more than 270 team members and supply over 4,700 member-farmers. 

Jason Schwenneker, current Northern Country CEO, will serve as the forthcoming cooperative’s CEO. Derrick Davis, current Viafield CEO, will continue his leadership as COO.

The combined territories, with little to no overlap, will establish a customer footprint across 16 counties in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.

The merger comes after more than two years of shared resources and operations by the respective cooperatives and will begin conducting unified business effective February 1, 2024.

Corporate offices will continue to be based in both Charles City and Stacyville.