ASHLAND – Town and Country Co-Op, Inc., will undergo several major changes this spring after merging with another Ohio-based co-op.
The proposed merger of Ashland-based Town and Country and Western Reserve Farm Cooperative, Inc. of Middlefield, was approved by the membership of both cooperatives in December.
The merger will take effect March 1 with current Chief Operating Officer Jean Bratton as CEO over the merged entity — which will be known as Centerra.
The company will be headquartered in Ashland. Longtime CEO Al Holdren will retire on March 1.
“The 84 – 85 percent ‘yes’ vote from our members was a strong endorsement that they have faith in us to do what is right for the co-op and for their operations,” Bratton said. “They have given us the opportunity to make this work, and to show them that we will take care of them while we take advantage of the benefits from the merger.
“This merger will enable us to provide and expand on the products and services our customers want and need as well as stay competitive as our industry changes.”
The new name is a combination of two words: “center” meaning the point of focus within a circle and “terra” meaning “of the earth.”
“The name reflects our purpose and our ethics” Bratton said. “We are collaborating to better things with the customer at the center of this effort. We are focused upon the customer instead of our own needs. We are well grounded in principles and knowledge, and promote good farm practices that reflect our customers’ love of the land.”
Town & Country has 1,591 members and covers north central Ohio from Elyria to Loudonville. Western Reserve has 635 members and serves members in northeast Ohio from Kent to Ashtabula and parts of Pennsylvania.
The board of the merged entity will be made up of nine members from Town & Country Co-op and six from Western Reserve.
“Our first priority remains to serve our customers effectively and efficiently now and after March 1,” said board member Earl Stitzlein. “The new cooperative will continue to focus on providing a high level of quality and service.”
