2007--- The Grain division assets of Bay Lakes and Mid County are combined to form a new full service grain company called Grain Ventures LLC. Bay Lakes maintains 85% ownership in this new company. Construction is scheduled to start in the fall on Badger Ag Solutions, LLC a new oliseed facility. Bay Lakes divests in the feed business. 

2006--- Bay Lakes Companies, LLC joins a group of 6 investors to start Badger Ag Solutions, LLC-a plant that will produce biodiesel fuel and premium soybeal meal. Bay Lakes also enters the pellet fuel business by manufacturing a Biomass Fuel Pellet. 

2006---750,000 bu of grain storage is added. A 400,000 bu bin is constructed in Shawano and a 250,000 bu bin constructed in Oconto Falls. Additional rings are added to existing bins in Oconto Falls. This brings the total grain storage at Oconto Falls, Shawano and Coleman to 2.8 million bushels. 

2005--- 4 additional 25 ton load out bins are added to the Oconto Falls Feed mill to increase the efficiency of loading delivery trucks. Bay Lakes Cooperative membership approves a plan of conversion to an LLC by an 85% overall vote of all members. As of September 1, 2005 the company becomes known as Bay Lakes Companies, LLC

2003----The agronomy division of Bay Lakes Cooperative and Mid County Cooperative combine assets to form a new company called AgVentures, LLC. A new grain drying and storage facility is built by Bay Lakes Cooperative in the Shawano Industrial Park. Storage capacilty is 650,000 bu. The Refined fuel assets are sold.

2002--- A new liquid fertilizer and crop protection facility is built in Shawano by Bay Lakes. This facility becomes part of AgVentures in 2003

2001---26 1/2 acres of land is purchased in the Shawano Industrial Park. A new 5000 ton dry fertilizer plant along with 2 rail spurs is constructed on the site. The C-store and Auto Center in Oconto Falls is sold.

2000---The propane division assets are combined with 3 other farm supply cooperatives and 4 electric untilities to form Badger Energy Services, LLC a full service propane company.

1993---Farmers Elevator Cooperative in Green Valley and Suring Cooperative Association in Suring become part of Bay Lakes Cooperative

 1985 — A new Feed Mill was built at Coleman. A Pelleting Mill is Built with a joint venture between our Cooperative, Pulaski-Chase Cooperative and Farmers Elevator Cooperative. A new name change went into affect September 1, 1985 from Oconto County Cooperative Association to BAY LAKES COOPERATIVE.

 1984 - — L.P. Gas plant is purchased in Oconto Falls.

 1983 — E & LS Railroad purchases The Milwaukee Road north of Green Bay. John D. Olson was elected to the Board of Directors.

 1982 — Articles and By—Laws changed to (2) classes of Common Stock, (A)Ag—producers and (B)Non Ag—producers.

 1981 — Midland and Land 0’ Lakes merger approved by the Board of Directors. Sales reach new high of $8,483,000.

 1980 — E & LS was approved to operate railroad from Green Bay north by ICC and the State of Wisconsin. Estate and age redemption program approved by the Board of Directors. Paul Bednarik was elected to the Board of Directors.

 1978 — A new Automotive Center was built at Oconto Falls; an “On the farm” tire service truck also purchased. A new maintenance building was also built. A $500.00 Agri—Business Scholarship was approved by the Board of Directors for area High Schools. Ken Cisar was elected President of the Board of Directors. Glenn Magnin was elected to the Board of Directors.

 1977 —A new Coleman fertilizer plant was built with a tower and electronic weigh scale. A bulk Petroleum, plant was built in Oconto Falls with underground capacity of 112,000 gallons. An electronic printer and scale was also installed at Oconto Falls fertilizer plant.

 1976 — Additional bulk fertilizer storaqe was built at Oconto Falls and land was purchased for a new fertilizer plant in Coleman. A new warehouse addition was also added to the farm store.

 1975 — The Grand Opening of new facilities at Oconto Falls were held in June of 1975.

 1974 — A new site west of Oconto Falls was purchased, and a new fertilizer operation was built. A new office and farm store, a feed mill, and truck scale were also added.

 1972 — John Sellen was elected to the Board of Directors.

 1971 — Larry Karau was hired by the Board of Directors as General Manager. Sales go over one—million for the first time ($1,121,994).

 1969 — Richard Gilles appointed to the Board of Directors. Alfred Hoffman was also appointed to the Board of Directors. Anhydrous Ammonia equipment was also purchased this year.

 1968 — Our Cooperative gets into chemical spraying with the purchase of a pull type sprayer.

 1967 — Our Cooperative purchases a bulk fertilizer blender, also aqua Ammonia equipment purchased.

 1966 — Our Cooperative  starts in the bulk feed business by purchasing a used bulk feed truck.

 1964 — A Bulk Fertilizer plant operation was started in Oconto Falls with a 400—ton warehouse. The first 4—ton spreader was purchased, and a used Ford tractor with a bucket was also purchased.

 1961 — A Bulk Petroleum plant was leased in Lena and discontinued in

1976----- when new E.P.A. approved underground facilities were built on the Oconto Falls site.

 1960 — The Cooperatives’ 25th Silver Anniversary was celebrated by Common Stock being recalled and paid in Silver dollars. Vernon Mortier was hired as an employee and celebrated his 25th year in 1985.

 1958 — Hans Christensen was elected to the Board of Directors.

 1956 — George Henneman was elected to the Board of Directors.

 1954 — Arlyn Bitters was elected to the Board of Directors. James Schaub was also appointed to the Board of Directors.

 1953 — A Feed Mill and Hardware store was purchased in Oconto Falls.New equipment was installed in the Feed Mill and the Hardware store was remodeled in 1959. These facilities were sold in 1975 to Peterson Ford. All machinery was discontinued and parts were sold to Suring Cooperative.

 1951 — Ray Fedler is elected President of the Board of Directors in which he held this position for 27 years and a Board Member for 35 years. Chester Staidl was hired as a bulk Petroleum driver and has been employed over 34 years by our Cooperative.

 1946 — Employees were allowed vacation pay and sick leave.

 1945 — A grocery store was purchased, and then sold in 1950. The station in Lena built, and then sold in 1974. The price of gasoline was set at 16.4 cents per gallon in 300 gallon dumps. Service Station price was set at 18 cents per gallon.

 1944 — Our cooperative joined the Wisconsin Association for Cooperatives.

 1942 — 10% of earnings were approved to purchase War Bonds during World War II.

 1941 — Nomination of Directors by Territory was approved, and James Schaub was elected to the Board of Directors in which he served 30 years.

 1940 — The Board of Directors approved taking inventory quarterly, which is the way it is done today.

 1939 — The first Credit Policy was adopted with payment due in thirty days or no further credit was extended. All new charge accounts were to be approved by the Board of Directors.

 1938 — Newly elected Director Ray Fedler gave a talk on “Economic Changes and why we should work together Cooperatively.

 1937 — Russell Wirtz elected to Board of Directors .

 1935 The first membership meeting was held at the Oconto Falls Town Hall on September 5, 1935 with 63 members present. Members nominated to Incorporation Committee included Richard French, Jesse Winters, Emil Kuhn, Hugh McDermid and Jule Bouchonville.

Dances were set up to raise money for the Cooperative at Wesley’s Hall at Spruce and Gillett Pavillion. Dance tickets were 25 cents for Gents and 10 cents for the Ladies. Gents wore overalls, and the Ladies wore gingham dresses. Profit at the Spruce dance was $102.60.

94 members were present at the October, 1935 meeting.

The date of organization was September 14, 1935.

The first Board of Directors met at the Richard French residence on September 20, 1935. Jesse Winters was elected President; Emil Kuhn, Vice—President; Huqh McDermid, Secretary; Richard French, Treasurer.

At the second Board Meeting, the Board of Directors decided to sign a contract with Midland Cooperative Wholesale of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Capital Stock was first issued on September 1, 1935. Richard French was the first stockholder