Jim Miller, Manager of Farmers Co-op Oil, is retiring after 44 years of doing what he loves. His motto for work is “Do what you like, and like what you do.”
Jim’s Road to Farmers Co-op Oil
Jim was hired as Manager of the Downtown Renville Farmers Co-op on May 15, 1973. Jim attended the Granit Falls Vo-Tech for Industrial Drafting but realized his heart was in farming. His Dad was a farmer and he had an interest in the country and working locally. This eventually led him to work for the Clara City Cenex, where he was employed for 8 years. Jim was later hired as Manager at the Renville Farmers Cooperative on May 15, 1973.
Farmers Co-op Oil Growth
Over the 44 years with Farmers Co-op Oil, Jim has seen tremendous changes and growth. The cooperative has grown from just one location in Renville to five locations in four cities. First, the Danube location was purchased, then Honzay’s in Olivia, the Redwood Falls Cenex C-Store, and later another Renville location, formerly the Handi-Stop. Two of the locations (Olivia and Renville) have had new buildings constructed!
Read the complete history of Farmers Co-op Oil here.
Looking Forward & Looking Back
When Jim is retired, he plans to spend his summers at his lake home, fishing and relaxing with family. Jim has 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren which he is looking forward to spending more quality time with. He wants to travel and take some winter getaways, and find some new hobbies, too.
“Do what you like, and like what you do.”
– Jim Miller
Jim has many fond memories of his time with Farmers Co-op Oil, seeing the cooperative thrive and evolve over four decades. Jim feels confident that he has left a positive imprint on the co-op and the community. He explains, “My goal for the Co-op was to make it a successful organization and develop new relationships with other businesses, cooperatives, patrons, and the community as a whole. I am very proud to say that we successfully achieved that goal.”
We wish Jim the best of luck in his new endeavors! Jim will begin working with a new Manager who is starting employment with the Farmers Co-op Oil on June 1st. Jim plans on retiring from Farmers Co-op Oil in mid-August.