Nearly 1,500 GROWMARK employees, member cooperative directors and staff, and guests will gather for the GROWMARK Annual Meeting on Aug. 28-29 at the Hilton Chicago.

During 2002, GROWMARK is celebrating its 75^th anniversary by honoring the events and pioneers of the past, and casting a vision for the future -- the next 75 years of creating solutions to farming challenges.

The theme for this year’s meeting is "Share the Spirit, Share the Dream." Displays of historic materials and speeches will focus on seven and one-half decades of cooperative innovations.

Among the local cooperatives highlighted will be the winners of the Performance Improvement Awards and the top grain shippers. GROWMARK will also thank retiring member cooperative general managers and GROWMARK employees. Young people representing FFA and Ontario youth organizations will address the assembly concerning what it means to be "Share the Spirit, Share the Dream."

GROWMARK Vice Chairman John Reifsteck will also announce the Young Cooperator Award winner, chosen from four finalists. Young Cooperator Award finalists are young farmers and members of FS cooperatives who show exemplary leadership in their communities, cooperatives, and agriculture.

Bill Davisson, chief executive officer, will deliver the CEO Address and Chairman of the Board and President Dan Kelley will present his address at the end of the meeting.

GROWMARK shareholder representatives will decide 12 of 24 positions on the GROWMARK Board of Directors. This will include the election of eight representatives from Illinois, two from Iowa, one from Wisconsin, and one from Ontario, Canada.