Leading Cooperatives Join Forces to Support Midwest Disaster Relief Efforts

DENVER (July 11, 2024) — Three of the nation’s leading cooperatives serving agriculture and communities across rural America today announced they are partnering to support the American Red Cross in the wake of heavy rain and severe flooding that devastated parts of Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota at the end of June. CHS, CoBank and Land O’Lakes will together donate $100,000 to aid relief efforts in the impacted region.

The impact of the historic flooding is widespread. Overflowing rivers have  destroyed homes, swamped farm fields and washed away bridges in the Midwestern states.

• In Rock Valley, Iowa, residents were evacuated by boat and helicopter following a levee collapse that made evacuation by road impossible. 
• Nearly half of Minnesota has been impacted by flooding that has caused water levels on the Minnesota, Mississippi and Missouri rivers to rise to their highest levels in a decade. 
• A railroad bridge linking North Sioux City, South Dakota, with Sioux City, Iowa, collapsed into the Big Sioux River. 

Many residents in impacted regions were forced to flee their homes as the waters rose. Flooding has been particularly devastating in rural communities where the full economic impact due to loss of crops, livestock and equipment is yet to be determined.

Working with partners, almost 250 trained Red Cross disaster workers are currently providing people in impacted communities with safe shelter, food, emotional support, relief supplies and health services such as replacing eyeglasses and medications. The organization has provided more than 28,800 meals and snacks and distributed more than 6,600 relief supplies. Since the onset of the flooding, there have been more than 2,700 overnight stays in shelters managed or supported by the Red Cross. 

"The American Red Cross is helping across the Midwest, providing support and comfort to those affected by the flooding," said Gino Greco, chief executive officer, American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming. "The Red Cross is working with local officials and community partners to make sure people get the help they need. Where it is safe to do so, Red Cross volunteers are helping assess the residential damage in affected communities. This work could not be done without the generous support of donors like CHS, CoBank and Land O’Lakes."

“Our hearts go out to those whose lives and livelihoods have been impacted by the recent flooding,” said Leslie Hagele, vice president, corporate social responsibility at CoBank. “While we know that full recovery from this disaster is a long-term proposition, CoBank and our partners at CHS and Land O’Lakes hope that our joint contribution will help to ease the most immediate suffering.”

“As cooperatives, we understand the value of joining together to promote the greater good and we’re proud to support the Red Cross as they help these impacted communities to recover and rebuild,” said Megan Wolle, senior director, CHS stewardship.

“Land O’Lakes is committed to supporting the communities where our employees, members and customers live and work,” said Morgan Kinross-Wright, vice president of community relations for Land O’Lakes. “We are proud to work together with great organizations like the American Red Cross, CoBank and CHS to maximize our impact in helping those affected by the flooding.”

About CHS

CHS Inc. (www.chsinc.com) creates connections to empower agriculture. As a leading global agribusiness and the largest farmer-owned cooperative in the United States, CHS serves customers in 65 countries and employs nearly 10,000 people worldwide. We provide critical crop inputs, market access and risk management services that help farmers feed the world. Our diversified agronomy, grains, foods and energy businesses recorded revenues of $45.6 billion in fiscal year 2023. We advance sustainability through our commitment to being stewards of the environment, building economic viability and strengthening community and employee well-being.

About CoBank

CoBank is a cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 77,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country. CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.

About Land O’Lakes

Land O’Lakes, Inc., one of America’s premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer foods. With 2023 annual sales of $17 billion, Land O’Lakes is one of the nation’s largest cooperatives, ranking 245 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 100 years of operation, Land O’Lakes today operates some of the most respected brands in agribusiness and food production including Land O’Lakes Dairy Foods, Animal Nutrition, WinField United and Truterra. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Land O’Lakes, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Arden Hills, Minnesota.