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Keystone Cooperative returns $68 million in patronage to farmer-members

Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 8:10 AM

By Staff report

Keystone membership will receive between 80-90% of this patronage payment in cash, based on their legacy membership. The remaining percentage will go towards their equity in Keystone.

Keystone Cooperative, Inc., an Indiana-based leader in agriculture and energy, announces a $68 million patronage distribution to eligible farmer-members who conducted business with the cooperative in 2024.

Keystone membership will receive between 80-90% of this patronage payment in cash, based on their legacy membership. The remaining percentage will go towards their equity in Keystone. In addition to the cash patronage payout, Keystone will also be redeeming $3.8 million in equity to its farmer-members. This exceptional cash return of over $60 million underscores the cooperative’s strong financial performance and commitment to delivering value to its members.
Fifty-seven percent of Keystone’s 2024 net income will be distributed as patronage payments to members in January 2025. The remaining profits will be strategically reinvested into the cooperative’s infrastructure, ensuring Keystone is well-positioned to serve today’s members and future generations of farm families. A projected $100 million in capital investments will further enhance the cooperative’s ability to meet the evolving needs of its membership.
The significant cash return to members for 2024 highlights the value of the Ceres Solutions and Co-Alliance merger, completed in March of 2024. This significant patronage distribution would not have been possible without the formation of Keystone Cooperative, and the continuous collaboration of employees and assets working together to serve farmer-members every day.
Notably, 100% of profits derived from membership business are being returned directly to members. 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 2024.
“This significant cash return is a powerful demonstration of the cooperative advantage,” said Kevin Still, Keystone’s President and CEO. “The cooperative model has served generations of farmers, and our commitment is clear: when the cooperative succeeds, our members directly benefit. This $68 million distribution reflects the trust and loyalty of our members who choose to do business with Keystone.”
Keystone membership is open to individuals with active farm operations who complete a membership application. Thanks to the on going loyalty of its members, Keystone continues to provide exceptional profitability, expert resources and an unparalleled customer experience.
Bill Peters, Chairman of Keystone’s Board of Directors, added: “These payments empower our members to reinvest in their farms, communities, and local economies. Rural America thrives on service and collaboration, and this patronage will undoubtedly strengthen the communities our members call home.”
In 2024, Keystone also demonstrated its commitment to community investment by donating $1 million to support local initiatives, with a focus on agriculture education and leadership, food security, and farm and energy safety training.
Keystone’s annual meeting is scheduled for January 14,  at 10:30 AM EST at its Indianapolis office. Additional company update meetings will take place on January 15 in LaPorte (10:30 AM CST) and January 16 in Richmond (10:30 AM EST).

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