Summer 2026 Newsletter

SUMMER 2026

Jeremy Wilhelm, Chief Executive Officer

Kevin Henrichson, Secretary

Craig Schultz, Chief Operating Officer

CEO Update

Jeremy Wilhelm - Building a Strong Harvest Together

As we move through another growing season, we are once again reminded that each year brings its own set of challenges and opportunities. This spring has been no exception. A relatively open winter allowed for timely nutrient application, and while parts of our trade territory experienced dry conditions, eastern Nebraska has benefited from timely moisture to get the crop off to a solid start. That said, variability remains. Some areas experienced excessive moisture, early frost, hail, and dry conditions that led to uneven germination and below-average emergence in both corn and soybeans.

Despite these early challenges, the growing season is far from decided. With a few targeted replant efforts and timely rains in July and August, there is still strong potential ahead. We remain optimistic and focused on what is needed to finish the season with a productive harvest.

Markets for fertilizer, energy, corn, and soybeans continue to be volatile amid ongoing global uncertainty. While volatility has become more common, it has also created opportunities. Many producers have been able to move remaining old crop and secure new crop contracts at favorable levels. As the saying goes, if these end up being the worst sales of the year, that is still a solid position to be in.

On the fertilizer side, we are entering the period where we typically begin building inventory for fall and winter demand. Given current price levels, we have taken a cautious and disciplined approach, working closely with our suppliers while watching for opportunities for a market reset. Our focus remains on managing risk responsibly while positioning ourselves to serve your needs effectively. As a farmerowned cooperative, our priority is to support our members through both strong and uncertain market conditions.

In the field, our agronomy teams have been actively scouting for early disease and insect pressure. Preventative applications are underway across our territory using both ground and aerial equipment. Fungicide applications proved highly effective last season, and current conditions suggest we may see similar benefits again this year as we work to protect yield potential.

Beyond the field, Frontier remains committed to the communities we serve. This summer, we will be actively involved in 14 county fairs across eastern Nebraska. These events provide a valuable opportunity to connect with our customers and support the next generation of agriculture. Organizations like FFA and 4-H continue to play a vital role in developing future leaders, and we are proud to support their ongoing impact.

As we look ahead, our focus is on finishing the growing season strong and ensuring we are fully prepared for harvest. Thank you for your continued trust in Frontier Cooperative and for the partnership we share. We wish you a safe, productive, and successful remainder of the summer.

board of directors

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

KEVIN HENRICHSON, SECRETARY

MEET KEVIN HENRICHSON

Raised in Ceresco, Kevin graduated from Raymond Central High School and stepped directly into the family farming operation. Today, he farms alongside his brother in the Ceresco, Davey, and Valparaiso areas, raising corn, soybeans, alfalfa, grass hay, and managing a 35-head cow–calf herd. Farming isn’t just a career for Kevin — it’s a lifelong calling that began with renting a farm in high school for his FFA SAE project.

In 1984, the Farmland Industries Coop Camp provided an experience for Kevin that sparked a lasting interest in cooperative governance.

He now brings nearly three decades of service to the Frontier Cooperative Board of Directors, currently serving as Secretary and a member of the Accounts Receivable Committee. His commitment to cooperative leadership spans 35 years, beginning with his time on the Ceresco Coop Board from 1991–1998 and continuing through his long tenure with Frontier.

Cooperative involvement runs deep in Kevin’s family. His father served on the Ceresco Coop Board in the 1970s and 80s, setting an example Kevin has proudly continued.

What keeps him engaged after so many years? The people. Kevin values the relationships he’s built across Frontier’s trade territory and throughout Nebraska. He believes strongly in the cooperative model because of its community-centered impact. From supporting schools, county fairs, 4-H, FFA, and local events to giving producers a voice in legislative issues, cooperatives play a vital role in rural Nebraska.

Kevin’s community involvement doesn’t stop with Frontier. Kevin has served as an FFA Alumni and Supporter at Raymond Central, leader on the Nebraska FFA Alumni State Council, leader on the Ceresco Rural Fire District Board, and former President on the Saunders County Pork Producers.

Kevin and his wife Karen live near Valparaiso and are members of Saints Mary and Joseph Catholic Church. Karen’s four children and eight grandchildren keep them busy! Kevin comes from a large family — his mother still lives on the home farm, and his siblings reside across eastern Nebraska.

Kevin received the Al Sick JR. Distinguished Service Award in January of 2024 at the Nebraska FFA Alumni and Supporters awards banquet.

KEVIN’S

FAVORITES

HOBBIES:

Kevin and his wife are avid Cornhusker sports fans who enjoy attending events at home and away. As a league vollleyball player himself, Kevin especially enjoys the thrill of Cornhusker Volleyball.

innovation

AUTOMATION & INNOVATION INVESTED HERE:

Craig Schultz - Advancing Efficiency for Our Members

As agriculture production continues to evolve, our cooperative is investing in products and infrastructure to better serve our members—both in the field and at the facility.

One exciting advancement is the addition of two John Deere See & Spray™ machines to our fleet. This system uses cameras and advanced machine learning to identify weeds in real time and apply herbicide only where needed. By targeting individual plants rather than blanket-spraying entire fields, See & Spray helps reduce chemical usage, lower input costs, and improve return on investment. In real-world applications, the technology has delivered average savings of $15 to $25 per acre, driven by reducing herbicide use by as much as 50–60% while maintaining effective weed control.

We are still in the initial stages of implementing See & Spray™ technology and continue to learn with each application. As we gain experience and refine our approach, we expect to further optimize the performance and deliver even greater value to our customers.

With fewer refills required, operators can cover more acres in a day, increasing efficiency during critical application windows. In addition, more precise application reduces crop stress and supports stronger yield potential, while also helping manage herbicide resistance and reduce environmental impact.

On the facility side, we have made major strides with the completion of our dry fertilizer shed expansion in Syracuse, adding 17,300 tons to our existing structure and bringing the total capacity of the Syracuse dry shed to 32,500 tons. This investment strengthens our ability to efficiently meet seasonal demand and better serve our customers.

“ ” This investment strengthens our ability to efficiently meet seasonal demands and better serve our customers.

A key feature of this upgrade is addition of a second load-out bay with a Sackett-Waconia High Intensity Blender with full blending tower. Interestingly, this is the same style of blender used in food production—such as coating cereal like Frosted Flakes—where maintaining product integrity is critical. In fertilizer applications, this allows us to achieve a highly uniform blend quickly without breaking down the fertilizer granules.

This system delivers both exceptional speed and versatility. It can produce 4-ton blends in just 30 seconds, and for enhanced product performance, it can complete impregnation or fertilizer coating with nitrogen liquid stabilizers in 20 seconds or less, ensuring a fully coated, consistent load every time.

Fully automated controls allow us to streamline operations, improve blend consistency, and reduce load times. This investment also positions us for future opportunities, including the potential for 24-hour loading capabilities, giving our customers greater flexibility during tight application windows.

Together, these advancements highlight our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and delivering high-quality products and services to our members—today and in the future.

FRONTIER COOPERATIVE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Frontier Cooperative is proud to announce the recipients of its annual scholarship program, awarding 16 exceptional students from across our trade territory. Each recipient will receive a $1,000 scholarship to support their continued education beyond high school.

Tanner Ahrens

Trey & Leisha Ahrens

Gretchen Anthony

Blane & Emily Anthony

Alexander Barry

Martin & Carol Barry

Jason Bongers

Jerry & Sandy Bongers

Wyatt Jelinek

Brad & Tonia Jelinek

Nora Koelzer

Scott & Donette Koelzer

Dane Lyons

Doug & Tiffany Lyons

Lauren Meister

Ryan & Jean Meister

Levi Othmer

Lavon & Lisa Othmer

Easton Roeber

Landy & Meggan Roeber

Ian Schiller

Chris & Michelle Schiller

Blaze Sock

Kendall Sock & Nikky Hall

Ellie Stein

Kyle & Angie Stein

Matt Thulin

Kevin & Lonnie Thulin

Lily Wemhoff

Mike & Ann Babel, Wayne Wemhoff

Braxton Wisnieski

Brian & Karleen Wisnieski

Conestoga

Johnson-Brock

Bishop Neumann

East Butler

Raymond Central

Lourdes Central Catholic

Lourdes Central Catholic

Aquinas Catholic

Johnson County Central

Ashland - Greenwood

West Point - Beemer

Twin River

Ashland - Greenwood

Bishop Neumann

Lakeview

North Bend Central

Southeast Community College

Northwest Missouri State University

University of NebraskaLincoln

Southeast Community College

Southeast Community College

Iowa Western Community College

Iowa State University

Central Community College

Southeast Community College

Southeast Community College

University of NebraskaLincoln

Central Community College

University of NebraskaLincoln

Northwest Missouri State University

Undetermined

Nebraska Wesleyan University

www.connect.frontiercooperative.com

internship OPERATIONS

FUTURE AG LEADER

Brycen Morrison

Frontier Cooperative is proud to highlight Brycen Morrison, a standout Regional Operations Intern based out of Elmwood. Brycen is currently studying Agricultural Business at Doane University, and his path into agriculture has been shaped by a lifelong connection to the farm and a natural pull toward the operational side of the industry.

From the time he was big enough to tag along with his grandpa on the farm, Brycen knew agriculture was where he belonged. Growing up surrounded by farm-life shaped his passion early, and after his first year of college, he decided to take that passion into the cooperative world. He spent a summer with Farmers Cooperative before joining our Frontier Family as an intern.

Running machinery has always interested Brycen. What really drew him in, though, was the chance to explore parts of the cooperative system he’d never experienced before.

Grain bins, for example, were completely new to him. The idea of seeing how millions of bushels are stored, moved, and managed sparked his curiosity. Frontier’s operations internship gives him a front-row seat to the entire process.

WHAT HE’S LEARNED

- Understanding the full process of grain storage and movement

- Gaining hands-on experience with the KAHLER system in Waverly

- How different departments connect to keep the cooperative running smoothly

Brycen’s curiosity and willingness to dive into new areas have made him a strong fit for operations — and a great example of what this internship can offer.

The Power of Mentorship

Brycen’s mentor, Troy Pribnow, has played a key role in shaping his internship experience. Troy has encouraged Brycen to explore any part of the cooperative that interests him — not just operations.

This open-door approach is one of the biggest strengths of Frontier’s internship program. Whether interns are interested in agronomy, grain, operations, or nutrition, mentors like Troy help make those opportunities accessible.

Our interns attended the Nebraska Co-op Council Intern Retreat in Kearney, NE.

Brycen’s internship journey is a clear reflection of Frontier Cooperative’s commitment to leading the way to develop generational success.

Through hands-on learning, cross-department exploration, and the support of his mentor, Troy Pribnow, Brycen has experienced what it means to be empowered to grow — just as our mission promises: providing an experience that enables our owners and communities to prosper.

We’re proud of Brycen’s growth this summer, and we look forward to creating even more opportunities for future interns who want to explore operations and build their careers with Frontier Cooperative.

WE INVEST IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF

AGRICLUTURAL LEADERS.

Presenting a grant to the Raymond Central FFA chapter from our local chapter program!

community AUBURN FIRE DEPARTMENT

At Frontier Cooperative, enabling our local communities to succeed is a priority we are always looking to advance. That’s why we are proud to share our recent contribution to the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department through a grant funded partnership with Land O’Lakes.

By donating new grain engulfment equipment in Nemaha County, Frontier is doing their part in strengthening emergency response in our footprint throughout southeast Nebraska.

The grant process and application were led by Frontier Safety and Compliance Officer and Auburn Volunteer Firefighter, Kody Cooper, who saw an opportunity to bring value to both the department and community he serves.

“I wanted to find a way to give back to my community and better serve the people in the town where my wife and I are raising our family,” said Cooper.

The new equipment will provide Auburn volunteer firefighters with the ability to train for and respond to grain emergencies in a timely manner, without relying on departments outside of the area.

“Getting the grain engulfment equipment and having it available locally gives our department the tools and knowledge we need to be successful,” said Cooper.

Frontier Cooperative’s decision to donate this essential tool underscores our dedication to promoting agricultural safety. When grain engulfment can take a life in just 20 seconds, it’s not just our mission, but our duty to make sure we have procedures in place to protect our members and local communities. That’s why our commitment goes a step further, delivering professional safety and prevention training that empowers individuals to spot dangers early, prevent costly incidents, and maintain a safer work environment.

Initiatives like this allow our growers and communities to thrive for years to come.