Owners and investors
Farmer-owned
CHS is committed to providing value for all our owners, including more than 750 member cooperatives that represent 450,000 farmers and ranchers, plus 75,000 individual farmers and ranchers who buy inputs from or sell grain directly to CHS.
Patronage
Cooperatives support farmers, ranchers and rural America by returning a proportion of their profits to co-op owners. When a cooperative board calculates patronage, it determines what portion will be retained as member equity in the organization, a key source of capital for cooperative maintenance and growth. CHS has returned nearly $2.6 billion in cash patronage and equity redemptions to its owners in the past five years.
For equity questions, call 800-535-4645 or 651-355-6124 or email CHS Patron Equities.
CHS governance
CHS is governed by a 17-member board elected by our producer and member cooperative owners representing eight regions from across the country. We welcome fresh ideas and invite cooperative farmer-owners to consider becoming candidates for the CHS Board of Directors. The number of directors representing each region is determined by business volume and the number of farmers, ranchers and cooperatives in the area.
Charters
Charters define the roles, responsibilities and authorities of the CHS Board of Directors and the Board’s committees as they govern the cooperative:
CHS Annual Meeting
CHS Directors and management share news, financial updates and progress on initiatives at the CHS Annual Meeting each year in early December. The annual meeting gives owners the opportunity to participate in the governance of their cooperative, create connections, ask questions and voice concerns.
CHS preferred stock
CHS uses proceeds from preferred stock to maintain a strong balance sheet and fuel growth. Five classes of non-voting preferred stock provide capital for CHS investments: 8% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (CHSCP) and Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 1 (CHSCO), Series 2 (CHSCN), Series 3 (CHSCM), Series 4 (CHSCL). All CHS classes of preferred stock trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Dividends, as declared by the company’s board of directors, are paid on a quarterly basis.
For questions on selling or transferring CHS preferred stock:
EQ Shareowner Services
PO Box 64854
St Paul, MN 55164-0854
1-800-468-9716 (toll-free)
651-450-4064
For overnight deliveries:
EQ Shareowner Services
1110 Centre Pointe Curve, Suite 101
Mendota Heights, MN 55120-4100
Preferred stock FAQS
Based on the contract terms of each series and application of the Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act, the dividend rates were fixed on Jan. 2, 2024, as shown below, and will remain at the below rates until they are redeemed:
| Series | Trading Symbol | Fixed Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 2 | CHSCN | 7.10% |
| Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 3 | CHSCM | 6.75% |
The five series of CHS preferred stock were redeemable, at the option of CHS, after Jan. 21, 2025.
If any series of preferred stock, or a portion of a series, is called for redemption by CHS, the shareholder is obligated to participate in the redemption and cannot choose to retain the preferred stock.
No. If CHS chooses to redeem a particular series of its preferred stock, or a portion of a series, it is not required to redeem any of its other series of preferred stock.
No. CHS may choose to redeem all or only a portion of the outstanding shares of a particular series of preferred stock. However, CHS may not redeem less than all of the outstanding shares of a particular series unless all dividends accumulated and unpaid upon all then outstanding shares of that series have been paid for all past dividend periods.
If less than all shares of a particular series of preferred stock are to be redeemed, CHS will designate by lot, or in such other manner as the CHS Board of Directors may determine, the particular shares to be redeemed, or CHS will affect such redemption pro rata from the holders of record of such series.
If CHS chooses to redeem a holder’s preferred stock, a written notice of redemption will be given to the holders of record of the shares to be redeemed not less than 30 days and, in the case of the four series of CHS Class B preferred stock, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date. In addition to any other information required by law, the notice will state:
- The redemption date;
- The redemption price;
- The number of shares to be redeemed;
- The time, place and manner in which the holder must surrender the applicable shares to CHS, including the steps the holder should take with respect to any certificates representing shares that have been lost, stolen or destroyed or for any uncertificated shares; and
- That dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on the redemption date, assuming payment of the redemption price is made on such date.
If fewer than all shares of the applicable series held by the holder are to be redeemed, the notice will also specify the number of shares of that series to be redeemed from the holder.
If a series of preferred stock, or a portion of a series, is redeemed by CHS, the shareholder will receive a cash payment equal to the per share liquidation preference of $25.00, plus all dividends accumulated and unpaid on that share up to and including the date of redemption.
To sell or transfer the shares of preferred stock, the individual would need authorization from the organization or cooperative to do so. Please contact EQ Shareowner Services at 1-800-468-9716 to obtain additional guidance on this process.
Please contact EQ Shareowner Services at 1-800-468-9716 or 651-450-4064.