The theme of this year’s GROWMARK essay contest for FFA members was “What value do cooperatives provide to today’s farmers?” and the Iowa state winner is Jaxon Mullinnix of Lone Tree, Iowa – a student at Lone Tree High School and a member of the Lone Tree FFA chapter.

In his contest entry, Mullinnix said: “Some may even describe cooperatives as the ‘backbone’ to the agricultural industry. When farmers own and control, on a business level, channels for acquiring supplies and marketing their supplies they are able to stay competitive in the marketplace. Providing farmers with a dependable source of reasonably priced supplies, reliable services, and a heightened income, cooperatives undoubtedly add value to a farm operation.”

As the contest winner, Mullinnix will receive a $500 award from GROWMARK and the Lone Tree FFA chapter will receive $300 in honor of his accomplishment.