Farmers need supplies and the North Bay ag community is fortunate to have a selection of great ag supply companies to choose from. This month we had a chance to sit down with Wilco Farm Store, a Sonoma County Farm Bureau Premium Member and fairly recent addition to Sonoma County.
Wilco is a farmer-owned cooperative based in Oregon and aims to be a one-stop-shop for farmers, ranchers and hobby farmers. Wilco operates on a cooperative model that offers eligible farmers and ag businesses the ability to buy into the company. How does that benefit farmers? Essentially, Wilco gives farmers the chance to receive dividends on their purchases and participate in company governance decisions.
Wilco’s entered onto the California ag supplier scene in 2020, with their first store opening in Petaluma. The store is in the old Orchard Supply Hardware space in east Petaluma. Their expansion has continued with a store open in Sonora too. They have 23 other locations throughout Washington and Oregon.
“It has been a great experience coming into Sonoma County and being able to support the FFA of California local chapters and the local 4-H clubs in the store, the Sonoma-Marin Fair and at the Sonoma County Auction,” said Margaret Lingron, Petaluma Store Manager, “Sonoma County Farm Bureau has been very welcoming to Wilco to be a part of the agriculture network in Sonoma County.”
Wilco stores are designed to have five major sections: Pet Supplies and Grooming, Lawn and Garden, Hardware and Paint, Livestock Supplies and Fencing and Work Wear and Boots. They put an emphasis on some specific brands including True Value, Carhartt, and Purina animal feed. Because they are owned by farmers, they consider themselves more of a local store rather than a regional chain.
SCFB is so grateful for Wilco’s support as a Premium member, and for their participation in Ag Days in March. In the photo below is Patricia Sittenauer holding a bunny so kids could pet it and ask questions on how to care for a rabbit. Wilco also brought a turkey and chicks for children to see, hear and learn about.
