Family owned farm supply company, Sun Ag, comes to Emden

[June 24, 2021]  

While it seemed that the world stood still throughout the calendar year 2020, there was one faction of the American population that did not. Indeed, there were some tense moments for the livestock industry last year, but for the most part the American farmer quietly went about doing what they do best, feeding the world.

The businesses that support that farming industry also did not stop. They went about quietly doing what they do best and adjusting to the changes of the situations we all found ourselves in. Locally, one such business changed hands with no fanfare. On September 10th, 2020,Tri-Ag located on Illinois State Route 136 in rural Emden changed ownership and changed name.

Tri-Ag had been at that location since the early 1980s, but in 2020 the business was purchased by Dave Neisler and became a part of the Sun Ag network of farm fertilizer and chemical businesses in central Illinois. Neisler and his wife Lori purchased Sun Ag in 1993 with locations in El Paso and Hudson. They have since expanded to add locations in Tremont, McNabb, Cullom and now Emden.

Farming has been part of the Neisler (Kring) family history since the 1850’s. The family settled in the El Paso area. They purchased a home in the 1870s that is documented as being built pre-1834 when it was used as a school house in the community. Dave Neisler began farming the land in 1967 and that farm operation exists yet today.

Mark Baer is the General Sales Manager for the company and says that customers saw little change in the products offered at Sun Ag versus Tri Ag. Sun Ag still offers dry and liquid fertilizers, and applications of those products. They offer a wide spectrum of farm chemical and nutrient applications including herbicides, insecticides, micronutrients and fungicides. In addition to fertilizer and chemical applications the company offers additional support services such as soil testing, GPS field mapping, and crop scouting.

New to the Emden plant with the change-over is the offer of seed by Dekalb Asgro.

There are nine employees at the Emden plant including Office Manager Allison Vary, Location Manager Tommy Kilver, Sales Agronomist Jim Coop; and Darren Haberland, who is in sales but says his main job is to just go out and visit with the farmers.

Baer says that the primary goal, the mission of the company, is to be there for the farmers. “The one thing we really try to focus on is why Dave got into the business originally, and that is just to help farmers. We like to say that is our mission – to help farmers. We try to provide a service that they are not able to find anywhere else. Sometimes that is a lofty goal, but we’re here to serve.”

Left to right are Office Manager Allison Vary, Sales and Support Darren Haberland, Location Manager Tommy Kilver, Sales Agronomist Jim Coop, and General Sales Manager Mark Baer.

A quote from Dave Neisler found on the company website offers much the same mission and goal, “"Sun Ag Inc. has its roots in Agriculture. My grandfather came to El Paso in the 1850's and our family's farm operation still exists today. Our long standing agricultural heritage led us into the agricultural retail business. We welcome an opportunity to contribute to the success of your farming operation."

With the release of restrictions from the coronavirus on June 11th, the company is now looking forward to becoming a larger part of the community and getting to know everyone in the area.

To that end, Sun Ag has a couple of things in the works.

On Saturday, July 24th the company will host the Lincoln Antique Tractor Club at the Emden plant. Haberland is a member of that club and is coordinating the morning show at the plant for the club. He says that depending on the weather, the community can expect to find anywhere from 25 to 40 antique tractors on display as well as some other displays. Tractors will be at the plant staring at 8 a.m. and calling it a day around noon. The public is invited to stop by at any time through the morning, see the tractors and talk with their owners.

The one-year anniversary of Sun Ag taking on the Emden plant will be on Friday September 10th. Baer says that there will be a customer appreciation day held on that anniversary date. Plans are still underway but those attending can expect some free food and plenty of opportunities to visit with the plant staff.

Baer says that the Neislers’ and their staff are looking forward to becoming an integral part of the Emden community. They also look forward to being part of the local agricultural endeavors for many years to come.

To quote the website: Sun Ag employees are part of your communities, churches, groups, and schools. We care about your success and your community's success because it's our community too.”

The Sun Ag Emden plant is located at 576 US Hwy 136, just west of the railroad tracks. The phone number is 217-376-3106. You may also visit their website at https://www.sunag services.com/. 

[Nila Smith]