BRITTANY UTSCH

Creative Element/Item: Tractor and grain bin trailer with corn

This summer I got the opportunity to be a Crop Scout intern for a company called Centra Sota.
Centra Sota is a leading cooperative that serves a large portion of Central Minnesota in
agronomy, feed, and energy supplies to farmers and businesses around the area. I picked this
because a majority of the crops that I worked with and scouted fields for were corn fields and so
I got more familiar with corn versus any other crops. I chose to add corn to the grain bin trailer
because it would be the easiest crop to access. Adding the corn would add more color to the
creative element and would help grab the audiences attention.

Centra Sota
Backgrounder
Centra Sota is a one-of-kind cooperative that offers all your needs from agronomy supplies to feed and energy.
With their newest technology and top- notch employees, Centra Sota has been able meet the needs of many
customers and farmers for many decades. Centra Sota gives customers the option to work closely with their
employees to make sure they are getting the best result for their crops and cattle. They also strive to exceed
expectations of farmers and business owners each and every day. Customers wont find any better company to
do their agriculture business with the one and only Centra Sota.
Visions and Values
With Centra Sota vision To be the partner you can count on, providing real solutions for today and tomorrow
is a cooperative that anyone can count on to help them with many needs such as feed, agronomy, and energy.
Centra Sota also values taking the time to invest in the right people and the right environment. Centra Sota takes
high priorities in partnering with employees, customers and vendors. With this idea in mind, it gives Centra Sota
the right products at a fair price that is backed up by service.
History
Centra Sota was formed in 1922 and were the first to manufacture Land O Lakes sweet cream butter. They
were first set up as a dairy cooperative in Central Minnesota and has been expanding ever since then. They first
entered the feed business in the 1960s and a decade later they became an agronomy supplier. In the 1980s they
started offering energy products. Today, they are a cooperative that supplies agronomy, feed, and energy
products and services to meet the needs of local farmers and residents. In 2013, Centra Sota sales were $177.8
million. Today, Centra Sota serves 18 different locations surrounding Central Minnesota with many services
offered throughout the agricultural industry.
Locations
Centra Sota has 18 locations which in include; Little Falls, Sauk Centre, Upsala, Santiago, Albany, Clear Lake,
St. Marin, Eden Valley, Watkins, Maple Lake, Annandale, Buffalo, Cokato, Waverly, and Watertown. Within
those 18 locations, they have five agronomy sites, four feed mills, five bulk fuel sites, five country stores, two
gas stations, and one main office. Centra Sota currently serves in nine counties in central Minnesota. Those
counties include; Stearns, Morrison, Sherburne, Wright, Carver, Meeker, Hennepin, McLeod, and Benton. Jeff
Johnson, the CEO of Centra Sota predicts that Centra Sota will be doubled in size by the year 2020.
Agronomy
Centra Sota understands that one size does not fit all when it comes to farming. With their local and professional
agronomists, farmers and customers can expect the best for their crops. Agronomists take a special kind of
approach when scouting the fields. They believe in boots-on-the-ground approach is crucial when making
recommendations on what type of products, applications, and techniques to apply in order to get the most
effective and profitable for each situation. In addition to this, Centra Sota also offers a variety of solutions from
financing options and revenue management for grain marketing and crop planning services. Centra Sotas
agronomy department is any farmers one stop shop for all their agronomy needs.

Energy
Centra Sota has been taking care of many peoples need with their energy division from keeping equipment
running with their Cenex fuel or warming houses and businesses around Central Minnesota. They are a
dependable supplier with high quality products that include, but not limited to; fuels, lube oils, propane, and
alternative energy sources and options. Centra Sota takes pride in both safety and service to make sure
customers are being satisfied and exceeding customers expectations.
Feed
Another division of Centra Sota is their feed division. They offer the most knowledgeable, highly trained
nutritional specialist to help provide the best feed consulting with each farmer. With their latest technology,
employees are able to be more efficient with deliveries and mixing formulas. Centra Sotas feed department
offer a variety of things such as; feed and animal health programs, feed formulas, and nutritional specialist to fit
all customers needs. The feed division is also partnered up with many feed companies such as Purina, Vita
Plus, Land O Lakes Animal Milk Products, and many more to make sure customers are receiving the best bang
for their buck. To find more information about the companies they have partnered with check out their website
at centrasota.com and click feed tab.
Community Lawn Care
Besides offering agronomy, energy, and feed, they also have a lawn care business that operates all year round.
During the spring, summer, and fall, employees are outside taking care of residents lawns with mowing,
spreading fertilizer, treating weeds and insect, and shrubs and tree care. During the winter months, employees
set up Christmas lights, snow plow, and prepare for next season.
Equipment
With 18 different locations throughout Central Minnesota, there is a lot of equipment to make operations run
smoothly. The equipment that Centra Sota has invested over the past years include but not limited to are; 16
airflows, eight fuel trucks, six spinners/lime, six propane trucks, 20 sprayers, three service trucks, 70 tender
trucks, six semi-trucks, 95 self-pull spreaders, and five straight trucks. Although this seems like a lot of
equipment, Centra Sota keeps growing and in order to keep with the demand of famers, Centra Sota must invest
into new equipment to make things run more smoothly and are more efficient.
Job Opportunities
Centra Sota offers a variety of jobs throughout their 18 locations. In 2013 employee count peaked at 240 with
the following positions; Agronomists, Operations, Nutritionists, Applicators, Management, Drivers,
Administration, and Seasonal Staff. There are two main factors that are influenced by the number of employees
and opportunities Centra Sota has and that is consistent growth and aging workforce. In the next five years, 10%
of Centra Sota employees are expected to retire, which will mean many job opportunities will be able to the
future generation that will be graduating in the next five years. For additional information about job openings
and descriptions, check out Centra Sotas website and search careers.
-30Contact Information:
Brittany Utsch
Public Relation Specialist for Centra Sota

MEDIA ADVISORY

CHECK OUT CENTRA SOTAS OPEN HOUSE EVENT FOR THEIR

NEW BUFFALO LOCATION
Sept. 15, 2014
Who: Centra Sota of Buffalo has moved to a bigger and better location located right on Highway 55 in Buffalo
What: Centra Sota of Buffalo will be having an open house for their new location where they will be
showcasing their new office building along with new machinery they have purchased for all their locations.
During the event, there will be a grill out with menu items of steak, bacon wrapped pork chops, seasoned
potatoes, a variety of salads, and desserts available. Lunch will be served at 12:00 p.m. In addition to lunch and
tours, there will be guests speakers from WinField and Land O Lakes talking about upcoming products and
technology advancements. There will also be a raffle drawing for one lucky winner to receive an unlimited
supplies of hats and t-shirts for a year from WinField Solutions.
When: Monday, Sept. 22, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Centra Sota of Buffalo- Main office
805 Hwy 55
Buffalo, Minn. 55313
Why: This is an opportunity for community members, farmers, and local businesses to see who Centra Sota is
and what they have to offer.
Interview/Photo Opp: There will be a meet and greet with the CEO Jeff Johnson and Head Agronomist Sean
Ness of Centra Sota. They will be there to share their success stories and how they got to the positions they are
today. Upon request, Jeff and Sean will be available for interviews, photos, and video opportunities. All
interviews, photos, and video opportunities will be done in a separate room off of the main showcase room from
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. After interviews have concluded, Jeff and Sean will be available for individual
appointments until closing at 5:00 p.m. During appointments, free coffee and cookies will be available.
RSVP: Please RSVP by Sept. 17, 2014 by calling (763) - 682-2557 before 5:00 p.m. or online at
centrasota.com/grandopening
Centra Sota was founded in 1922, when they were the first company to manufacture Land O Lakes sweet
cream butter. Originally Centra Sota was the set up at a dairy cooperative in Central Minnesota, but soon added
many things to keep Centra Sota growing. In the 1960s they entered the feed business and then a decade later,
they added agronomy services. Twenty years later, they added energy to be able to offer more to their
customers needs and expectations. Today, they are now serving 18 different locations around Central
Minnesota and have plans to keep expanding the next few years.
-30Contact Information:
Brittany Utsch
Public Relation Specialist for Centra Sota

For Immediate Release

December 5, 2014
OPEN HOUSE OF NEW CENTRA SOTA OF ST. MARTIN AGRONOMY CENTER
St. Martin, Minn. Centra Sota. Over the years, customers have gotten familiar with St. Martins Agronomy
department. The familiarity to all customers and employees, is evolving due to the new addition of their new
fertilizer and office building. The grand opening of the new agronomy department will be held at the St. Martin
location on December 8 at 11:30 a.m. This grand opening will have customers buzzing about this for weeks.
At the grand opening, there will be door prizes such as Viking tickets, TVs, a grill, and multiple tool sets for
customers and guests to win. Employees will be serving up lunch at 12:30 p.m. with steak, shrimp, potatoes,
vegetables, potato salad, and homemade desserts on the menu. There will also be many different speakers from
companies such as Winfield and DeKalb putting on presentations about their upcoming products and services to
farmers and potential customers. CEO Jeff Johnson and Head Agronomist, Sean Ness, will be speaking on
behalf of the company. They will be touching on upcoming events and the tremendous growth Centra Sota will
be experiencing in the next few years. Centra Sota employees will also be conducting tours around their new
building as well as tours around the yard to make sure new and existing customers are more familiar with St.
Martins location.
At Centra Sota of St. Martin, farmers who are looking to either expand their farming business or start a new
farming business, will be the perfect place to start. With their top-notch employees, they will be able to give you
the best advice on what to start on planting by giving recommendations on what type of seed to plant, fertilizer
to apply, chemical to apply to weeds, and much more. We are excited to add this new addition onto Centra
Sota. We feel that with our up to date technology, we will be able to get to our customers sooner and process
orders quicker, states Jeff Johnson, CEO of Centra Sota.
Centra Sota of St. Martins new building is located at their same address, but will be located behind the old
Agronomy center. Guests may park on the west side of the building and if parking is all taken, feel free to park
wherever there is room. Since the grand opening is during the winter months, no sprayers will be entering and
leaving the yard. If customers or guests have any questions or concerns about the new opening of the Agronomy
department, they may call Centra Sota of St. Martin at 320-548-3245 and ask for Cory Detloff, Agronomy
Manager. Centra Sota business hours are from Monday- Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the winter months,
but can range during the spring, summer, and fall due to farmers busy schedules. Dont hesitate to make an
appointment with one of the agronomists at any of the locations most convenient for you.
-30Contact Information:
Brittany Utsch
Public Relation Specialist for Centra Sota

Biography of Patrick Breth- Agronomist at Centra Sota of St. Martin

Being one with the outdoors and the natural environment is when some people are the happiest. The stress of
life seems to fade into the abyss and the individual can take a break from lifes stressors. This is what up sums
Patrick Breth and represents this naturalistic empowerment when he is in the middle of a corn field doing the
job he loves; being an agronomist.
Patrick Breth was born on June 28, 1958 in Melrose, Minnesota to Leo and Eleanor Breth of Melrose,
Minnesota. Together his parents had three children, four including him. His father worked as a welder and his
mother was a stay at home mom. As a family, they enjoyed taking vacations to their cabin, hanging out with
friends, fishing, and hunting. In 1976, Patrick married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Mary and
together they have three children; Sarah, Amanda, and Jordan. He also has two adoptive grandchildren from
their daughter Sarah and her husband. Today, Patrick works for Centra Sota as an Agronomist and his wife
Mary, works as an Office Associate for State Farm Insurance Office in Melrose, Minnesota.
Patrick always had a strong interest in the agricultural industry and enjoyed working and being outdoors.
Although, he didnt grow up on a farm, he spent his summers on his relatives farms doing a variety of activities
and chores such as, picking rocks, bailing hay, and milking cows. He never complained about doing these tasks
since he enjoyed them and wanted to be a farmer when he grew up. Being able to work on family owned and
operated farms, he was taught was hard work was and how to have a good work ethic.
After high school, Patrick didnt enroll into college, instead he decided to take on a variety of different jobs in
the area. At first he started working at Jenny-O Turkey Company in Melrose on the production line as a factory
worker, but was quick to learn that was something he didnt want to do for the rest of his life. He then worked
as an electrician for three years for Melrose Electric, but found that job not interesting enough to pursue a career
out of it. After searching for new jobs, he came across St. Martin Cooperative and was hired as an applicator to
apply applications of herbicides on farmers fields. He found that he enjoyed that job very much and did that for
a few years. Then when Centra Sota Cooperative bought out St. Martin Cooperative in 1996, he was promoted
to a full time agronomist positon, where he was been able to share his passion and knowledge about the
agricultural industry for the past 34 years.
Patrick was never a student who liked to sit in a classroom all day and learn from a book. He was a student that
believed in hands on experience. He credits his learning experiences and hands on experiences from the
Minnesota fields by spraying, spreading fertilizer, and crop scouting. In addition, be able to help on his relative
farms at a young age helped him realized that hands on learning experience was the best way to learn. By
having hands on experience, he has been able to succeed at his job and build strong relationships with
customers and farmers throughout the years. The one thing he enjoys the most about being an agronomist is
hearing the positive feedback from farmers and growers on a well done job.
Currently, he resides in the small town he grew up in Melrose, Minnesota with his wife Mary. Together they
enjoy going to their cabin in Black Duck, Minnesota where Patrick hunts and fishes, while Mary relaxes by the
lake side enjoying the sun and enjoying a good book. He enjoys having the title of grandpa and cherishes
every moment with his grandchildren. One day he hopes to be able to retire up at his cabin and be able to enjoy
the outdoors every time he steps outside his front door.