MEMBERSHIP
A
& why it matters
cooperative is a unique business structure
in which the business is owned by its
members, who in turn share in the profits in
the form of a patronage dividend. United
Agricultural Cooperative Inc. has been
serving its membership base along the Gulf Coast
of Texas since 1928. As General Manager Jimmy
Roppolo stated, “One producer has a little voice, but
producers together can make a difference.”
To obtain membership in United Ag, you must first and foremost
be a producer of an agricultural product. This includes a wide range
of commodities, including but not limited to: plants, poultry, cattle,
soybeans, rice, cotton, corn and milo. Landlords leasing their land
for farm use in exchange for a share in the proceeds of the crop also
classify as agricultural producers. After status as an agricultural
producer is obtained, membership must be applied for. Applica-
tions are then presented to and approved by the Board of Directors,
which is a body elected by United Ag members at each annual
meeting. The cost to become a member is a one time membership
fee of $50. Currently, United Ag has 1,165 members. Past boards,
producers and members have worked tirelessly to get United Ag
where it is today. The current management and employees are
constantly looking into new products and ventures that will sustain
United Ag as a progressive and forward thinking cooperative, and
ensure that it is around to provide benefits to members and produc-
ers for generations to come.
Although membership is not required to do business with us,
being a member of United Ag includes many benefits. Participa-
tion in earnings is a financial benefit in the form of cash dividends
and book credits. Another is the ability to govern on a democratic
one-member-one vote basis. Each year at the June annual meet-
ing, the membership votes and elects directors to represent them
on how the coop is run and the services it provides. Also, coop-
erative members’ children and grandchildren are eligible for a
United Ag scholarship their senior year in high school.
However, the benefits expand far beyond the personal level. Ag-
riculture is a constantly changing industry. New technology, new
legislation, and global events all converge to create an environ-
ment that is exciting and challenging. As a member of a produc-
ers’ cooperative, there is the opportunity to impact the industry as
a whole by uniting as one voice and using it in a myriad of ways
— from finding common ground with foreign buyers to lobbying
politicians who are unaware of the ins and outs of agricultural
production. United Ag is proud to play a part in ensuring agricul-
ture’s longevity in its community.
United Agricultural Cooperative Inc. takes pride in its employ-
ees and members. Roppolo said, “It is about being part of some-
thing bigger than oneself.” Your board and cooperative employees
do what it takes to better serve our membership base as well as
keeping production agriculture a successful business along the
Gulf Coast of Texas.
2018/2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A.J. KRESTA • PRESIDENT
CEDRIC POPP • VICE PRESIDENT
JOHN HARRISON • SECRETARY
DANIEL GAVRANOVIC • ASST. SECT./TREASURER
DUANE LUTRINGER
RYAN RECK
ROBBY STRNADEL
MICHAEL SULAK
TIM CERNY
JIMMY KAINER
MARK SUPAK
GARY WENDEL