When business is just about the dollars and cents, it gets cutthroat. When business is about the customers and community, it becomes something better. Farm Supply has kept that in mind as it grow its business, recently opening a new store in Buellton.
The Farm Supply Company grew out of one store established in San Luis Obispo in 1950. Farm Supply CEO Jim Brabeck explained their motto as seven simple words: “If it isn’t right, don’t do it.”
For the last 20 years, Farm Supply’s leaders knew they wanted to expand to Buellton, but the move was never quite right. Then, after years of interest, the right doors opened when Micky Evans, owner of Gracian’s Agricultural Company, decided it was time to retire. That decision, coupled with the availability of a second lot, sealed the deal.
Farm Supply bought out Gracian’s and moved to the location. But this was no hostile take over. Farm Supply brought all of the existing Gracian’s employees with it. Brabeck said that even if they weren’t part of the company, he would have been willing to hire each and every one of them based on how qualified they are at what they do.
Farm Supply acquired its second lot so it could put in a large barn and expanded parking lot, creating a huge increase in storage and ease of access for horse trailers and other large haulers.
Gracian’s doors closed for the final time on the last day of August, and Farm Supply opened its doors the very next morning to make sure no feeding schedules were interrupted.
“It was one of the most gentle business moves I have ever heard about,” said Steve Watson, the Buellton store manager.
Watson brings with him 18 years of experience in the hardware industry, including his nine years in Farm Supply’s irrigation department. He sees himself as the company flag waver.
“I’m bringing the Farm Supply culture with me,” he said.
Farm Supply is a community- and family oriented co-op, involving more than 2,400 families. It supplies agricultural needs, from equine to bovine, as well as home lawn and garden and pet supplies. Local agricultural producers can become part of the family and join the co-op. They’ll get their farm supplies, as well as a dividend check at the end of the year.
“We are a non-tax-exempt co-op,” Brabeck explained. “We are not a big box store. We are a local entity.”
While they will compete with others, as they did with Romer’s in Santa Maria, it was never about putting a competitor out of business. When the Romer’s owner was ready to retire, Farm Supply bought them out and incorporated existing employees into their company as they did with Gracian’s.
“We are like a big family that serves other families,” Brabeck said.
Highlights
• Community leaders will present an overview of economic development strategies specifically designed for the local area at the “1,000 Day Roadmap to Economic Recovery for Northern Santa Barbara County” event on Nov. 8.
The roadmap is a result of the input of nearly 300 North County stakeholders at a recent Economic Forecast and Strategy Workshop, held by the Economic Alliance of Northern Santa Barbara County, a grassroots group comprised of private sector and community leaders. The Praxis Strategy Group and the Center for Economic Research and Forecasting at California Lutheran University also contributed.
The presentation will take place at the Radisson Hotel in Santa Maria, 3455 Skyway Dr., from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $20 per person, which can be paid online via credit card at econnsbc.org.
To RSVP, call Bob Walsmith, Jr. at 310-5800 or e-mail bobwalsmithjr@aol.com.
Biz Spotlight is written by Intern Michael McCone. Highlights are compiled by Staff Writer Jeremy Thomas. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Nov 3-9, 2011.
