At their June meeting, the GGC Board of Directors approved a policy to allow charitable donation of GGC Units.

To allow the charitable donation and to avoid likely administrative issues, GGC will accommodate the donation to a charitable institution if the donation coincides with the listing of the donated units for sale with FNC Ag Stock at the time of donation. In other words, GGC units may not be transferred to a charitable organization without a simultaneous listing with FNC Ag Stock.

Donations of units to a charitable requires the following:
1) The GGC Member donating must obtain the appropriate form from GGC or FNC Ag Stock;
2) The member must obtain the contact information and Tax ID for the charitable institution and enter it on the form.
3) Submit the form to FNC Ag Stock to list units to be donated for sale;
4) At the conclusion of the sale, the member must hold either NO units or a minimum of 4,000 units and the charitable organization will hold NO units.

The charitable organization will be responsible for issuing a statement to the member related to the donation.

At the 2026 Annual Meeting, GGC members will elect Directors from the Central and South Districts and one At-Large Director. Nick Pyle (Central District), Richard Bot (South District), and Brady Koehl (At-Large Director) are all eligible for re-election. Despite the pending dissolution of GGC in 2027, director elections will be for 3-year terms.

Members who may be interested should contact the Golden Growers office or review election and nomination information on our website.

Immediately after the 2025 annual meeting, the GGC board elected Nick Pyle as Chairman. Mr. Pyle most recently served as Vice-Chairman. Nick served as a director from 2010 through 2022. He previously served as Secretary from March 2013 to March 2015, and Chaired the Audit Committee from March 2015 to March 2022. After departing the board in 2022, Pyle returned was elected again in 2023.

He has been farming since 2002 near Casselton, North Dakota. Mr. Pyle serves as a director of McIntyre-Pyle, Inc. Mr. Pyle is President and serves as a director of Unity Seed Company, a member of Global Soy Genetics LLC and Director of McIntyre Farms Partnership. Mr. Pyle holds a Bachelor of Science in Business degree in finance from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.

Nick’s broad experience on the Golden Growers board combined with his education and management experience makes him an outstanding leader to guide the Cooperative through it’s final years.

Other Officers Elected:
First Vice-Chair – David Kragnes Second Vice-Chair – Brady Koehl
Secretary – Blane Benedict Treasurer – Larry Vipond

Chairman Brett Johnson’s report to members at the annual meeting centered on expectations for the cooperative’s final two years. Johnson explained how the Board concluded that Cargill would purchase Golden Growers interest in ProGold at the end of the current lease period in 2026.

“The decision to negotiate a long-term agreement depended on landing a co-located partner at the Wahpeton facility. And this partner would have to consume at least 30% of the facility’s grind capacity,” explained Johnson. Over the course of the past year and a half, it became clear that the potential to find that partner within the current lease period had vanished. “Golden Growers and Cargill had a discussion over the possibility of extending the lease.” According to Johnson, an extension needed to preserve the value of members’ financial interest plus a modest increase. “Ultimately, we were not able to come to an agreement.”

With this realization, Golden Growers and Cargill issued a joint statement that Cargill would purchase Golden Growers interest in ProGold at the end of the current lease. “After consulting with our legal counsel, we were informed that it would take a full two years to dissolve the Cooperative. Therefore, if we wanted to shut down Golden Growers shortly after Cargill’s purchase, we would need to start soon.” Referring to the apparent approval of the resolution submitted to members, Johnson stated, “Our Cooperative will begin the process to wrap up business.”

Johnson outlined what members can anticipate in the next two years. According to Johnson, Golden Growers will continue with normal operations to include: receipt of lease income from ProGold; member annual delivery obligations through the Method A and B pools; SEC reporting requirements; and member distributions three times each year for 2025 and 2026.

In early 2027, the board will establish a reserve while the bulk of the $81 million will be paid to members within a reasonable time period upon receipt of the payment from Cargill. “A final payment will be issued after all obligations are satisfied. We will then notify the Minnesota Secretary of State that Golden Growers has been dissolved.”

Johnson reassured members that their membership remains valuable citing the expected $81 million payment from Cargill and financial assets. “Our February payment began the orderly distribution of cash reserves no longer needed for a potential long-term joint venture.” Johnson also emphasized that the future of the ProGold facility is secure. “Experience informs us that companies investing significant amounts of capital in a facility show a commitment well into the future.” He explained that Cargill had invested millions to improve the plant in recent years. “While Wahpeton is not the largest facility they operate, it remains one of their best.”

In conclusion, Johnson reflected on Golden Growers thirty-year history with the ProGold plant. “In addition to providing income to our members, the plant has provided a critical market for our corn, raised the basis in the region and gave confidence for other processors to build and expand in the region. I think we all have some mixed emotions about the next two years. But I am reminded that the average age of our members was 46 in 1995. We are all 30 years older. Perhaps it is time to return the investment you trusted us with so long ago.” Johnson stated that before we close out 2026, Golden Growers will have distributed 300 percent of the original investment to members.

Johnson thanked members for supporting him as he departs after serving twelve years. “Now I look forward with confidence in our board as Golden Growers heads toward a golden sunset.”