INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA, U.S. —   Elburn Cooperative, an agricultural retailer based out of Sycamore, Illinois, U.S., and CHS have signed a letter of intent to pursue a potential business merger.

The proposed business agreement is subject to final details and would be voted upon by Elburn Cooperative’s voting producer-members. The CHS board of directors would also need to vote its approval. The parties intend to submit the transaction for approval before the end of the year.

“CHS and Elburn Cooperative have been great business partners for years,” said Elburn Cooperative Board Chairman Tracy Jones. “It is natural that we would look to their country operations model as a way to add value to our patron owners.”

“CHS is always looking for initiatives to help our farmer-owners grow their operations,” said Lynden Johnson, executive vice-president, CHS Country Operations. “We have enjoyed a solid business relationship with Elburn Cooperative over the years and believe we can bring area producers even more value by aligning our operations further.”

Elburn Cooperative, in business since 1921, is a full-service supplier of agronomy, feed, seed, energy and grain marketing services from 12 locations in north central Illinois and south-central Wisconsin.