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100% of Keystone Cooperative member profits returned to farmer-members

Friday, December 5, 2025 at 7:12 AM

By Staff report

Keystone Cooperative, Inc.announces 100% of member net profits are being returned directly to members through patronage.

Keystone Cooperative will distribute $57 million in patronage to eligible farmer-members who did business with the cooperative in 2025. 80% or 90% of each member’s payout will be delivered in cash, based on their legacy membership status, with the remainder applied to their equity in Keystone. This cash patronage return equals more than $46 million.

In addition to the patronage payout, Keystone will redeem $4.2 million in equity, bringing the total cash return to more than $51 million. This exceptional return underscores Keystone’s strong financial performance and unwavering commitment to delivering value to its members. Keystone pays the highest patronage rates of any cooperative in the Midwest, with the highest cash-to-equity ratio. Over the past decade, Keystone has returned more than half a billion dollars to its members, which is proof that the cooperative model delivers real, measurable value.

“Returning 100% of farmer-member net profits is what sets Keystone apart,” said Kevin Still, Keystone’s President and CEO. “This $57 million distribution reflects our commitment to the cooperative model and exemplifies the cooperative advantage. When Keystone succeeds, our members succeed.”

Looking ahead, Keystone has committed more than $60 million in capital investments to strengthen infrastructure and meet the evolving needs of its membership. These strategic investments ensure Keystone remains well-positioned to serve today’s members and future generations of farm families.

Each member’s patronage payout is calculated based on the volume of business conducted with the cooperative during the fiscal year, equating to approximately 5% of members’ transactions in 2025.

Bill Peters, Chairman of Keystone’s Board of Directors, added: “Every dollar of profit derived from membership business goes back to the people who make our organization strong: our members. This isn’t just a benefit, it’s a promise of shared success and a cornerstone of the cooperative model.”

In 2025, Keystone also demonstrated its commitment to community investment by donating $1.4 million to support local initiatives, with a focus on agriculture education and leadership, food security, and farm and energy safety training.

Keystone Cooperative’s Annual Meeting will be held on January 13, 2026, at 10:30 AM EST at our corporate headquarters, located at 770 N. High School Road, Indianapolis.

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