Ames-based Landus Cooperative and Harlan-based Farm Service Cooperative (FSC) announced Wednesday they have entered into an agreement for the sale of the Oakland Landus agronomy plant to FSC. All physical assets of the property just north of Oakland will officially become part of FSC’s local operations with the closing on Aug. 31. “This sale is a good move for both cooperatives,” says Landus CEO, Milan Kucerak. “The acquisition of our Oakland site aligns with FSC’s current customer base while allowing us to focus our capital in core geographies of our business.” FSC will be acquiring an automated dry fertilizer blending system, automated seed system, 42,000 gallons of NH3 storage, a variety of bulk agronomy storage and the office space. Current inventory, application machines, tender trucks and NH3 rolling stock will not be part of the purchase agreement. Three full-time and four part-time employees will have their employment with Landus end at the closing, but they have been offered an opportunity to apply for employment with FSC. Member-growers of either cooperative will not see any membership status changes and Landus will work with Oakland-area customers to finalize work and invoicing on or before Aug. 31. At that time, customers may choose to do business with FSC at the same location. The Landus agreement with FSC locations in Harlan and Denison remain unchanged.
