Farm406

35 farm406 pesticides made by those same companies. At that time, the pesticides were shipped to us the same as any distributor," said Baron. FBN has now been largely blocked by agricultural manufacturers who want to protect the existing network of retailers and their own established profits. "eir fear, I presume, is that by driving transparency and savings for farmers, we might disturb the business model that has provided so well for them," said Baron. To respond to the shutout by many agricultural manufacturers, FBN has started its own line of seed by creating an R&D department to breed corn, soybean, and now canola seed. ey also acquired WillwoodUSA, a generic chemical manufacturer, and started its own line of crop protection, adjuvant, and biostimulant products. In addition to the technology and distribution personnel, engineers, geneticists, mathematicians, soware engineers, etc., are now part of the eight-hundred employees who will guide the company's future direction. For Montana, Economist Kevin McNew is located in Bozeman to help Montana farmers. A distribution center has been set up in Great Falls for quick delivery. is past year, FBN launched its "Community Builder" program. Community Builders provide FBN members a partner as their local FBN sales representative. "e response has been tremendous," said Baron. "Over 450 farms have become Community Builders to serve other local farms. Farmers get savings and transparency from FBN online while keeping their business local." In addition to selling agricultural products, FBN is now offering loans for land, equipment, operating costs, and livestock products for ranchers. FBN has given farmers the power to decide the future of agricultural suppliers. Are farmers comfortable enough with their own knowledge, so there is no need for advice and information on products, including products new on the market, from their local dealer? Will farmers use FBN, an internet 24/7 company that offers great prices and service right to the farm? Would FBN become so large that the local elevator and agricultural supply store would no longer exist, thus creating a monopoly climate? Will farmers continue to support their local agricultural supplier to keep it in business and provide their neighbor with a job? Is it possible that both entities can exist side by side for different buying reasons? is time it's up to the farmer. For information on the products and services offered by FBN, go to hp://www.n.com. FBN's fifth annual 2020 Farmer2Farmer Conference drew thousands of growers, ranchers, technologists and ag professionals (from 42 states and five Canadian provinces) together in Omaha, Neb.

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