MKC SERVES

Our Sustainability Journey

Sustainability is an extensive discipline, and one that seems to be a buzzword in today’s global climate. As society becomes more aware of its impact on the environment, sustainability is increasingly being prioritized in the business models of individuals, organizations and corporations alike.  MKC innovatively created a new sustainability program aptly named SERVES. The name stems from the program’s tagline, ‘We will sustain the environment, rural communities and the vitality of MKC through education and stewardship.’

A Growing Timeline

A sustainability initiative was formally added to the strategic plan in August, 2019. A committee was formed, and networking efforts began with the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) to gain a better understanding of how a cooperative should embark on developing a sustainability program. Over the winter, the group defined the scope and focus areas of the program and presented MKC SERVES to the board of directors. With their approval, the working group started brainstorming the best ways to put action behind each focus area: the environment, rural communities and our cooperative.

The Environment

Sustaining the environment in which we work

Rural Communities

Sustaining the communities in which we work and live

Our Cooperative

Sustaining the longevity and profitability of our cooperative

What Can We Control?

Part of the field guide is understanding core sustainability principles that have been adopted on a global scale.  These principles are sometimes referred to as the 3 P’s, or Planet, People, and Profit. We had to decide what those meant to MKC and what was in our control to meaningfully contribute. 

Sustainability lives in three distinct levels of control. Things the cooperative can create and control, things that the cooperative can influence but not control, and things that only the farmer can control for their specific operations.

The Environment
One of the intentional actions seen more prominently throughout our footprint will be the jug recycling project. This is our way of contributing to environmental sustainability. The jug recycling program is currently being done at our Haven location and plans are in the works to expand it to other locations.
Rural Communities
Our new employee volunteer program is our contribution to sustaining our rural communities. Employees will be given 16 hours available  to volunteer at an opportunity that alleviates hunger, enhances ag education, promotes community safety or develops ag leaders. 
Our Cooperative
MKC will be putting forth intentional efforts around telling our sustainability story and garnering feedback from customers and employees about what sustainability means to them. This is our way of contributing to the vitality of our cooperative by promoting a strong commitment to share knowledge about sustainable behaviors that will preserve our member-owner's financial and agricultural interests for generations to come.

Additional Resources

Telling Sustainability's Story

It takes more than simple talk to put efforts into action. MKC's new innovative sustainability program, SERVES, prioritizes the cooperative's efforts toward sustainable practices. The MKC SERVES program will serve as the framework that guides which initiatives are chosen to take action upon by the cooperative. 

Champions of Conservation

A change is taking place on farms across the Midwest; a transformation moving toward a farming system that is more sustainable – environmentally, economically and socially. Member-owners across the state are converting to regenerative agricultural practices on their operations, while still meeting consumer’s needs in the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.