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Employees of Casey Fertilizer, the Casey Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month, are pictured (front, l to r) Rosemary Smith, Dennis Graham, Brian Shobe, Brian Darling, Gary Freeman, Roger Ulrey; (back) Brian Shan, Clint Bayles, Greg Keller, Roy Coleman, Barb Starwalt, and Mark Manhart. Not pictured Josh Vernon. Photo by Sharon Durham
Casey Fertilizer is Chamber Business of the Month  Share
This month's Chamber Business of the month, Casey Fertilizer, located on the west edge of Casey, may be unfamiliar territory to many Casey residents but is a vital source of help to most farmers. Manager Greg Keller described his role in the agricultural business as more than a job. ''I love it,'' said Keller in talking about his work with farmers. ''We consider ourselves partners with the farmer,'' Keller said. ''We provide input on chemicals, fertilizer, seed and technology.'' Keller went on to talk about how much agriculture has changed through the years.
''Technology is becoming a bigger part of the farming scene,'' he said. ''It is used in yield monitoring and rate of fertilizer to lime. It definitely has benefits as it helps our farmers try to be more profitable. That's our main goal--for them to be more profitable.'' Keller said they learn with the farmer as they study new ideas; some may be beneficial, and some won't work. It's a challenge they face every year, Keller said. ''It is a partnership. If the farming community is not profitable, then we can't be profitable,'' he said. ''If the farming community doesn't survive, the chances of our surviving are less.'' Keller stressed the importance of agricultural education for the children of the community, pointing out that he had come from a small community and has since learned there is a big world of agriculture. He sees job shadowing as an important opportunity to teach young people. ''We have to show kids there is a future in agriculture,'' he said. ''One of the things I love the most about this job is the information side of it in educating kids.'' Keller is originally from Dongola, Ill. and came to Casey Fertilizer in December 2003 after working for Helena Chemical and Miller Fertilizer. Casey Fertilizer is owned by Kim Fritts of Greenup who also owns Fritts Fertilizer in Greenup, Fritts Fertilizer in Mattoon, and Miller Fertilizer in Martinsville. Thirteen people are employed at Casey Fertilizer. ''What differentiates our company from others,'' Keller said, ''more than anything else, is our people--the employees at Casey Fertilizer really care.'' Keller said he goes back and looks at past owners of Casey Fertilizer, namely Clarence Crouch. ''I never knew him; I'd never compare myself to him,'' he said. ''I hear stories about how well he took care of his customers. That's a goal for me and for my employees.'' Several employees have a wealth of experience behind them, and Keller said having experienced employees is a major factor in making the difference in their company. Rosemary Smith has been with Casey Fertilizer for 31 years, starting back in December 1977. Dennis Graham and Roy Coleman have both been at Casey Fertilizer for 16 years and Gary Freeman for 15 years. Other employees are Brian Shobe, Brian Darling, Roger Ulrey, Brian Shan, Clint Bayles, Barb Starwalt, Mark Manhart, and Josh Vernon. Casey Fertilizer is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; however, during their busy season hours will vary. Work would appear to be seasonal, but Casey Fertilizer employees are kept busy year around with unloading train cars and hauling to the three other plants. ''Nitrogen, potash and other products come in by rail and are trucked to other plants,'' said Rosemary Smith. ''I'm not sure of all that they do, but they are kept busy with maintenance in the winter, and in the summer they have to wash all of their equipment. There are a lot of nozzles and hoses to keep clean.'' Casey Fertilizer is located on Route 40 West in Casey. Congratulations to them for being named Chamber Business of the Month for October. Sharon Durham is a staff reporter for the Casey Reporter.
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