New management team at Farmers Co-op

There is a whole new management team at Farmers’ Co-op Oil in Elbow Lake,  and they want you to stop in to your local Cenex and see the changes. Manager Derek Birdsall, Office Manager Nichole Oberg,  and Convenience Store Manager Toni Nutter are working hard to earn your business. A fully-stocked convenience store opened right at the beginning of the pandemic,  but many folks have never seen it because of social distancing. They haven’t seen all the snack items offered, including hot dogs, sandwiches, and other ready to eat items, soft drinks, chips, etc.

The station, open from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, has one self-serve island and one that offers 24 hour, seven days a week pay at the pump service. A satellite station in Wendell also offers pay at the pump.

“We are bringing back full-service gas as well,” said Birdsall. “If you let us know, we will come out and pump your gas for you.”

The Cenex also fills LP cylinders for camping and grilling, as well as fishing and hunting licenses, and ice. There is also an auto shop to keep your vehicle running in tip top shape.

The new manager, Birdsall spent five years in the commercial construction business, and 13-14 years before that working in the RV industry. Derek and his wife, Sarah, have three children, one will be a senior at Alexandria this coming year, another is a ninth grader at West Central Area, and the youngest will be a fourth- grader at WCA South.

With Sarah recently leaving her job of 20 years at Target, the family was looking for change, but they suffered a tragedy on Sept. 15, 2020, when their rural Hoffman home burned to the ground. They are currently renting housing in Hoffman, but plan to rebuild on their farm.

Meanwhile, Birdsall is getting to know the area.

““I am excited to get out and meet the farmers we serve,” he said. “We plan to keep doing what we do well,  and improve what needs improvement.”

“We really like being part of a small community,” Birdsall said. “Get out and do things, take part, and not be stuck in the office all day.”

So, if it has been awhile since you stopped in at the Elbow Lake Cenex, now is the time.

“We want to see you, and we want to see you back!”

Click here for more info on Farmers Co-Op Oil Co.