West Central is a full service, farmer owned cooperative. The company markets more than 80 million bushels of corn and soybeans annually, is a full service agronomy inputs provider, and further processes soybeans into a variety of value added products. West Central is currently the nation's largest marketer of soydiesel. SoyPOWER brand biodiesel is produced at West Central's Ralston facility, using state-of-the-art technology to create a diesel alternative with locally produced Iowa soybeans. On February 24, 1958, the Farmer's Cooperative Company of Halbur purchased the feed store on the west side of Templeton's main street. This building soon became the first branch office of the Farmer's Cooperative Company. Gene Rupiper was manager of this office and store. In August 1966 the Farmer's Cooperative Company purchased the elevators and buildings located on the north end of main street. This is the same location as the present day West Central location. Shortly after the purchase was made, the west elevator was remodeled and construction of a new office and a scale began. The first grain dryer was purchased in September 1971 and in 1975, the decision was made to build a 250,000 bushel concrete elevator at the location. The groundwork for this began in the fall of 1975, and due to the mild winter, construction continued through the winter into 1976. In 1984, the Farmer's Cooperative Company of Halbur and Templeton merged into West Central. This took place as problems arose with the deepening of the agriculture depression and the PIK program that called for farmers keeping many acres idle. The Cooperative discussed merging with several companies, before voting to merge with West Central in 1983. West Central immediately began the installation of improvements in the rail facilities and communications equipment at the Templeton office, and in June 1984, the first grain train of 54 hopper cars was shipped from Templeton. Over the next decade, several improvements and additions have evolved, including two new concrete silos, an additional flat grain storage building, and a liquid nitrogen and chemical shed. Most recently, the location has added an extra pit, bin, leg and load out. New rail siding put into place in the last couple of years now allows the location to load 110-car shuttle trains. These trains transport locally produced grain to end-users across the country. Construction of a state-of-the-art dry fertilizer hub plant began in Templeton in 2005, and was completed in the spring of 2006. This is another service being upstaged by the cooperative in an attempt to improve customer service.

Address:
P.O. Box 66

Templeton, IA 51463

Phone: 712-669-3351

Fax: 712-669-3352

Website: http://www.west-central.com

Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday, in season hours as needed.