June 13, 2007

Lansing, MI - The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) has selected Cooperative Elevator Company of Pigeon, MI, as the "2006 Michigan Agriculture Exporter of the Year." The company was lauded today at a Lansing Agriculture Club Breakfast for its ability to expand into new markets and significant export sales growth over the last three years, among other achievements.

"Increasingly, Cooperative Elevator and other Michigan businesses are shipping their quality agricultural products to new areas and at higher volumes." said Mitch Irwin, MDA director. "We applaud their success and recognize them for the key role they are playing to grow and diversify the state’s economy."

Michigan is second in the nation for agricultural diversity and exports one-third of its agricultural commodities every year. Recent studies show these exports generated $961 million in 2005 and employed more than 12,877 residents.

"Cooperative Elevator is honored to receive the 2006 Michigan exporter of the year award," said CEO Patricia Anderson. "We are committed to exporting quality branded dry edible beans and grain from our Michigan plants utilizing Michigan labor and Michigan grown products."

Cooperative Elevator is owned by more than 900 Michigan farmers and has been in business since 1915. It is headquartered in Pigeon and has plants in nine other Michigan cities throughout the Thumb area.

The award review committee consisted of representatives from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Farm Bureau and Michigan State University, as well as MDA. The decision was based upon several factors including, marketing plans, and ability to expand into new markets, alliances with other organizations and exports sales growth over the last three years. To be eligible, the products also had to be more than 50 percent grown, processed or manufactured in Michigan.

For information on Michigan's international marketing programs, contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture at (517) 241-3628.