1980 - Consolidation of FS Services and Illinois Grain Corporation to form GROWMARK, Inc.
A farm building plant in Washington, Iowa was purchased.
Alcohol for alcohol-based fuel was produced in a farm size plant at the Lexington, Ill. Research Farm. It was determined that scale of production was unprofitable and the plant was donated to Southern Illinois University.
The Alpha, Ill. Distribution Center began operations.
1985 - GROWMARK sold its Illinois River terminals to Archer Daniels Midland and consolidated its grain merchandising operations to form ADM/GROWMARK. A grain marketing agreement was implemented to benefit GROWMARK grain member cooperatives when grain was sold to ADM/GROWMARK. GROWMARK received ADM stock in exchange for its elevator assets along the Illinois River. That stock has been a significant part of GROWMARK's financial strength and cash management strategy. This joint venture was dissolved in 2007. Click here to watch former CEO Ken Baer discuss the ADM/GROWMARK partnership.
1994 - The assets of United Co-operatives of Ontario were purchased and more than 30 member cooperatives in the province joined the System. GROWMARK became an international organization. Click here to watch former CEO Norm Jones discuss the acquisition of UCO.
A 50 percent interest in UPI Inc. was acquired to serve Ontario cooperatives with petroleum products.
1996 - GROWMARK and Countrymark Cooperative, Inc. (Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan) consolidated agronomy and feed operations into MARK II Agronomy, L.L.C. and MARK II PLAN (Production Livestock and Nutrition) L.L.C.
GROWMARK acquired a 50 percent interest in maltaCleyton (a Mexican feed manufacturer) in a joint venture with Countrymark Cooperative, Inc. Land O'Lakes later acquired Countrymark's portion of the venture. The equity was restructured when a private investor joined the venture.
GROWMARK and five other regional cooperatives purchased Pro-Pet, L.L.C. (a pet food manufacturer) of St. Mary's, Ohio.
1997 - GROWMARK and Countrymark Co-op consolidated energy operations into MARK II Energy, L.L.C.
1998 - The MARK II alliances between GROWMARK and Countrymark Cooperative were dissolved as a result of the acquisition of Countrymark Cooperative by Land O'Lakes.
Feed manufacturing was terminated, and GROWMARK approved an alliance with Land O'Lakes to produce feed for member cooperatives.
GROWMARK began distribution of NK-brand seed through an agreement with Novartis (now Syngenta).