Wabash Area Chamber of Commerce - McKillip Seeds 2002 Business of the Year

For Release September 3, 2002
Contact: Steve Ford – 563-3171
Dennis McKillip - 563-3833

McKillip Seeds Named 2002 Business of the Year

Steve Ford, Wabash Area Chamber of Commerce Board Chair, announces McKillip Seeds as the 2002 Business of the Year. "I am pleased to honor the McKillip family and business as the Wabash Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. The McKillip enterprise is remarkable in at least two respects. First, they represent a family business that has thrived under multiple generations of both ownership and participation - a noteworthy achievement for any privately held concern. Secondly, with operations that include a seed business, hog production, and equipment sales, they manage an integrated business unique among area farming operations," stated Ford.

Dennis McKillip, partner, responded, "As a family, we truly feel honored to accept the award of Business of the Year. We are pleased to be representing a successful family agricultural business in the Wabash area."

McKillip Seeds was started in 1934 by Alvin McKillip who began raising seed corn in a 7-10 acre plot for the Indiana Farm Bureau. Although seed corn alone was the very start, McKillip Seeds currently raises, processes, and sells seed beans and seed wheat as well. The farm produces enough commercial corn and bales enough straw to provide feed and bedding to its three hog operations.

McKillip Seeds has a tradition of being on the cutting edge of technology. Jim, Alvin’s eldest son, talks about the early years, “When a new piece of machinery or a new hybrid became available, my dad jumped right in to buy it.” The tradition continues as McKillip Seed is firmly planted in the computer age allowing more efficient service to their customers.

McKillips is very much a family operation. Alvin’s four sons, Jim, Jack, Bob, and Ken, all became partners in the farm. All except Ken are retired. Today McKillip Seeds includes eight working partners, Ken, Mike, Dennis, Craig and Troy McKillip, Lennie and Ryan Stout, and Nathan Gage. The operation employs up to 100 people, depending on the season, offering summer job opportunities to local youth.

In 1995, Ken, Dennis, Mike and Craig McKillip and Lennie Stout acquired the John Deere dealership in Wabash. McKillip Equipment, formerly known as Wa-Chester Equipment, is a full sales and service dealership including manager John Kammeyer and 12 employees. The store provides large and small tractors, combines, planters, sprayers, assorted field tools, lawnmowers, toys and various John Deere gift items.

McKillip Seeds is proud to announce their 68 year of service. Since 1935, they th have maintained their common goal of helping farmers to make sound cropping decisions and providing superior quality products and service that is surpassed by none.

The McKillip family has been raised in a devoted Christian home, which has fostered a strong business and family unity. This commitment to business and family has extended to the entire Wabash area as the family members use their strengths in a variety of organizations.

McKillips will be honored at the Wabash Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, November 7 at the Honeywell Center. Reservations are available by calling the Chamber office at 260-563-1168.

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