A man by the name of Perry Jameson once said, “By myself and with only my hands, there is not a great deal I can do. But if we all put our hands together, we can do whatever needs to be done...[that is the cooperative way]. Whether or not Perry Jameson was a farmer is something we may never know, but this sentiment rings true for farmers around Kenmare, North Dakota.

The cooperative way has been a part of this area since 1933 when Hans Sandie, the first manager of the Farmers Union, along with the original board members, George Sigloh, Andrew Meland, Martin Jessen, and Austin Waldron, raised $2800.00 from area farms to purchase the Smith Oil Company of Niobe. The owner refused to sell to a co-op. The money was returned to the farmers and the board went back to the drawing board.

In 1934, committed to bringing a co-op to Kenmare, they tried again to open. Poor weather and economic conditions had hit area producers, but the board was still able to collect $1425.00. John Bauer broke ground for the new business with his team of mules and a scraper on the southwest corner of Kenmare’s downtown square. The first sales ticket was made out to Leslie Brooks on May 7, 1934 for grease and oil he purchased. The farmers and producers would continue to support the co-op, with sales in 1935 reaching just over $43,000. Twenty years later, the co-op increased sales tenfold. For the first time ever, sales passed the half million dollar mark in 1956, solidifying its legacy. Grease, bulk oil, ice boxes, radios, and other items were available for local customers.

As the community changed and needs shifted, Farmers Union did as well. The first station in downtown Kenmare was expanded in the 1940s, again a decade later, and a third time before relocating in the 1990s to its present site along US Highway 52.

Right next to Farmers Union is the C-Store convenience store, which opened in 1991, an asset to the community and travelers. Farmers Union has bulk plants,
and stations in area communities such as Powers Lake and Bowbells, and a bourgault dealership in Mohaul, North Dakota. The co-op also supports civic activities and projects in the communities it services. The generosity of Farmers Union has supported swimming pools, volunteer fire departments and ambulance services, churches, and more.

Farmers Union Oil Company, one of Kenmare’s oldest businesses, has stood the test of time, relying on the cooperative way, supporting its communities, and serving patrons, either those that live locally or those passing through, by putting hands and heads together to do whatever needs to be done.