Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC recently named its Shelby, Michigan branch as Branch of the Year in the five-state North Central division, which includes: Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky. Shelby Branch Manager Alan Lound received the award at a ceremony in Carmel, Indiana, a Helena Agri-Enterprises division office.
There are 39 branches in the north central division, including seven offices located here in Michigan. Helena Shelby provides fertilizer, agricultural chemicals and consulting services to farmers mainly in Oceana, Mason and northern Muskegon counties.
Helena has been a part of the ag scene in west central Michigan for the past 19 years after the company purchased the former Cheever’s ag business in December of 2006 from Jack Cheever and Paul Lound.
The original Cheevers was started back in the 1920s by E. P. (Pat) Johnson and known as Johnson Produce. It became Cheevers when purchased by Jack’s father, Stan, in 1945, and at that time, besides agricultural products, it also provided coal and received some raw product fruit. Doug Eader joined Cheevers in 1964, Jack Cheever after college graduation in the late 60s and Don Lound in 1973.
Alan has high praise for Paul Lound, the onetime partner in Cheevers, who stayed after the sale to Helena and recently retired Nov. 30 of this year. Paul started there while in high school, worked during his college years, and following graduation continued for many years in sales and advising. “Paul will be missed. He was highly respected in the local farming community,” Alan said.
Alan, who has been with Helena for the past 16 and a half years, has a staff of six full-time employees plus a couple seasonal employees. He credits the staff, Dan Pider, Tad TenBrink, Rose Anderson, Jackie Boukamp, Danielle Oomen and Austin Fekken for helping win the award, for their efficiency, their experience and their dedication.
Prior to joining Helena, Alan spent 12 years in the local agriculture business, first as a Pro-Fac Co-op field man and later with Birds Eye Foods after the purchase of Birds Eye Foods by Pro-Fac.
“It was a great honor for our branch to be recognized, and we look forward to many more years of quality service to our farming community,” Alan said.
