Photo: David Wilson / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
In most Iowa towns, the tallest structure is the grain elevator, and most are run by farmer-owned co-ops.
Co-ops buy grain from members, store it and sell it to ethanol plants, feeders and exporters. They also sell seed, fertilizer and fuel. Members share in profits through patronage.
Consolidation has turned many small co-ops into large regional ones. Big companies like Heartland Co-op and NEW Cooperative serve dozens of towns in central and north Iowa.
During harvest, lines of trucks at the elevator are part of fall in Wright County.
Curt Hanneman writes for Clarion News Online.