ALVINSTON, ONTARIO, CANADA — Wanstead Farmers Cooperative, which provides agronomy products and services, grain handling and marketing, feed and consumer products to farmers and residents of Lambton County and the surrounding area, announced March 30 that it has broken ground at the site of new grain facilities at its Alvinston location.

Wanstead said the new grain facilities in Alvinston will increase the previous drying and storage capacity for the members of Wanstead and include the addition of two 150,000-bushel dry bins, two 45,000-bushel wet bins, and a new high-efficiency grain dryer.

“This is about investing in our future by improving our capacity to meet our farmer-owners’ ever increasing requirements,” said Martin Gerrits, president of Wanstead. “Our members trust us to deliver quality products and services. This expansion continues our 97-year history of delivering those services through timely improvements, investments and expansions.”

Peter Kelly, general manager of Wanstead, said the addition of the new grain facilities will increase the cooperative’s efficiency and provide its customers the grain services they seek.

“Over the last number of years, we have seen large increases in the productivity of acres in Lambton and Middlesex counties,” Kelly said.

Established in 1924, Wanstead Farmers Cooperative Co. is owned by approximately 500 members. The cooperative has locations in Wanstead, Alvinston and Inwood. Wanstead is a member of Growmark, Inc. and markets products and services under the FS banner.