Kansas City, Mo. — United Prairie, headquartered in Tolono, Illinois, has been awarded The Scoop’s Business Innovation Award for 2024, recognising its significant achievement in digital transformation within the agricultural sector. The award was presented on December 4 at the Agricultural Retailers Association Conference and Expo in Houston, Texas.
The Business Innovation Award is bestowed upon agricultural retailers that showcase exemplary digital transformation strategies within their business operations. This recognition is particularly aimed at highlighting how agricultural retailers leverage enterprise resource planning, agronomics, and business data to enhance customer service and foster sustainable business practices. The accolade is exclusive to one agricultural retail location and its team in the United States each year.
Margy Eckelkamp, editor of The Scoop, emphasised the vital role that agricultural retailers play as trusted advisers to farmers. “Ag retailers are the trusted adviser to farmers, and it is essential they evolve their products, services and customer relationships to optimize the opportunities in the field,” she stated. Her comments reflect the goal of elevating awareness about the innovative practices being implemented in the agricultural retail landscape, specifically those that create digitally enabled and meaningful business relationships.
United Prairie operates as a comprehensive agricultural retailer offering a range of services, including dry fertiliser, seed, and custom spraying applications. Since its establishment in 1996, the company has significantly expanded its geographic footprint from four locations to 14 sites throughout east-central Illinois.
Curt Miller, the CEO of United Prairie, expressed appreciation for the recognition. “Our focus every day is to increase our customer’s return on investment and provide a better customer experience,” he said. “On behalf of all our dedicated employees and our loyal customers, we are grateful for this achievement. Our employees are blessed with talent, and they know if they are given talent, they have the responsibility to use it.”
Mike Moore, executive vice president of Ever.Ag, the organisation sponsoring the award, commended United Prairie for its innovation and leadership in the agricultural retail sector. “United Prairie exemplifies the spirit of innovation and forward-thinking leadership in the agricultural retail sector,” he said. “Their unwavering commitment to empowering farmers with cutting-edge solutions, personalised service, and sustainable practices sets them apart as true pioneers in the industry. Through their vision and drive, United Prairie is helping shape the future of agriculture.”
In the broader context of agricultural practices, the recognition of digital transformation in entities like United Prairie signals a trend toward integrating emergent technologies in farming. This shift is anticipated to have notable impacts on business practices and operational efficiency, thereby influencing future developments within the sector.
Farm Journal, the publication reporting on this event, is recognised as the leading business information and media company serving various segments of the agricultural market. Their platforms and products are designed to provide extensive resources to those involved in row crops, livestock, machinery, and more, catering to the evolving needs of producers and consumers alike.
Source: Noah Wire Services