The Pulaski-Chase Cooperative is a diversified farm and home supply cooperative serving the agricultural, consumer and commercial markets in the Pulaski and surrounding area. Anyone can buy goods and services from the Co-op and membership is not required. Strong supplier relationships with Land O’Lakes, Cenex, Agriliance, TruValue, NAPA, Cargill, Mahindra Tractors and others allow the Co-op to serve Feed, Agronomy, Bulk Farm/Home Heating Fuel, Hardware, Automotive/Tractor/Truck Parts, Lawn and Garden needs for our customers with the highest level of service.

The following article written a few years ago gives a sense of how the Co-op has evolved and grown over the years to keep in step with our customer-owners:

"History of Pulaski-Chase Cooperative"

by Chris Jaworski, Pulaski Area Historical Society President

Cooperatives are enterprises that are jointly owned and operated for the benefit of the owners. Generally cooperatives are formed when private business either takes advantage of a group of individuals with artificially high prices or does not provide sufficient services. After World War I many farmers in the United States received low prices for their products and paid high prices for their purchases. This situation resulted in the rapid development of purchasing cooperatives among farmers.

The tri-county agricultural region of Pulaski was no different than the rest of the country and in 1930 two farmer purchasing cooperatives were formed - Chase Local Council (Cooperative) and Pulaski Local Council (Cooperative). These first cooperatives were formed primarily for the purpose of purchasing gasoline. With the increasing popularity of tractors, gasoline became a very important input in a farmer's budget. Local fuel prices were high so area farmers began to discuss the idea of purchasing gasoline in bulk collectively.

Tony Brzeczkowski, Alex Miller, Herman Wach, and Herman Chlebowski were instrumental in the early formation of the Chase Local Council (Cooperative). These men went farm to farm and talked about the advantages a cooperative would bring in helping to lower fuel prices. Edward Malcheski, Edward Bartkowiak and Mike Babiarz were the primary spokesmen for the Pulaski Local Council (Cooperative).

Sometime in 1930 the first bulk purchase of gasoline was made via railcar to Pulaski. The fuel was sold in 55 gallon drums. Andrew Jaworski was one of the largest purchasers often taking delivery of eight barrels alone.

Shortly thereafter fuel pumps were set up with underground tanks. Joe Brzeczkowski was hired in 1934 as a cashier and manned the three pumps which sold high grade, low grade, and kerosene. All purchases were made by cash and gasoline averaged 14 cents per gallon. If the driver did not have the cash to pay for the purchase his or her keys would be confiscated.

On October 29, 1938 the Chase Local Council (Cooperative) and the Pulaski Local Council (Cooperative) were merged into the Pulaski Chase Cooperative. The board of directors was slated at nine members with two being selected from each of the four area townships: Chase, Angelica, Pittsfield, and Maple Grove. The ninth member was elected at large. Meetings were held once a month at Zielinski's Hall. Each member had to pay a due of 50 cents monthly. Annual meetings were held at the Assumption BVM parish picnic grounds.

Although petroleum was the main reason for creation of the Pulaski Chase Co-op other services soon followed. The original articles of incorporation clearly state the organizations intent to secure petroleum, supplies, farm products, machinery, or anything else to aid farmer's needs.

Pulaski Chase Cooperative Original Board 1938

• Art Krause - president
  
  
• William Ziebarth
  
  
• Stanley Ryczkowski
  
• Hennan Chlebowski
  
  
• Ted Sahczinski
  
• Henry Wyszynski
  
  
• Anton Wroblewski
  
• Art Plautz
  
  
• Louis Stanke

Pulaski Chase Co-op Feed Mill building

Sometime around 1934 - 1935 the feedmill was started. The building was constructed next to the railroad tracks facilitating the transport of incoming and outgoing feed supplies. The land was secured from the railroad on a 100 year lease. This original poured concrete structure has been added on to many times and is the heart of today's feedmill building. During the early years the mill sold a lot of flour for baking. Popular animal feeds were middlings and bran. Soon farmers expressed a need for feed processing and a grinder was added in the early 40's. A second grinder was added a few years later but it has since been removed.

In 1936 a hardware store was opened. The building measured 30' x 80'. Besides typical hardware store goods other popular items included barbed wire, cement and dynamite. Groceries were offered as well with coffee being a big seller.

Freezer lockers were also added a short time later and provided refrigeration service till the late 70's. In the 1950's the original hardware store was moved back towards the east and a new 80' x 100' structure was built. Today's hardware store offers a wide range of merchandise and also includes a rental center.

The early days of the Co-op also ushered in an age of increasing farm mechanization. Demand for farm implements created the need for a machinery department. In 1935 or 1936 the first implement was sold to John Wiater on Townline Road, in the township of Maple Grove. He took possession of a four wheel horse powered manure spreader manufactured by the Oliver Corporation. Originally set up was done outside; later implements were assembled in the hardware store.

In 1936 a dealership was secured through the J.I. Case Corporation of Racine, Wisconsin. At first implements were dealt through the Nick and Hilbert Agency on North Broadway Street, Green Bay. Later the Co-op worked directly with the Case Corporation. Early popular items included 12 or 14 inch walking plows (listed at $15.00 each), com huskers, com binders, and combines equipped with Wisconsin engines.

In the 1950's, a 20' x 40' machine shed was built for the machinery division. Sometime in the late 80's the current machine shop was built. It is utilized for assembly and service needs. Current lines sold include Case IH, Ford New Holland, and H&S.

During the late 40's and early 50's local fanners began to demand fertilizer The Co-op originally sold bagged fertilizer in a quonset hut located at the current automotive center site. Original bags were 100 lbs. each. Later the weight was reduced to 80 lbs. and then 66-2/3 lbs. per bag. Most fertilizers and crop sprays at this time were applied by farmers themselves.

In the fall of 1967 the current fertilizer plant was constructed. The new building allowed for the blending of bulk fertilizer. Prior to this all bulk fertilizer was supplied out of New London. The plant started with a two ton mixer in 1968 and was managed by Bill Zietlow.

In 1978 Dick Gwidt was named manager of the agronomy department and the first tower was built which housed a four ton mixer. Recently, in 2002, a new tower was installed with two twelve ton mixers. The present set up is currently considered one of the biggest blending plants in the state. Custom application of chemicals and fertilizers is also another task carried out by agronomy department.

Agriculture in the Pulaski area was very oriented towards dairy farming. Therefore, it's no coincidence that dairy equipment had an early presence at the Pulaski Chase Cooperative. The first milking equipment was sold in the mid to late 30's under the de Laval brand name. Soon de Laval was dropped and Universal milking equipment was sold exclusively. One or two cylinder vacuum pumps were available depending upon herd size. Later pipeline milking systems were marketed. At present the Co-op handles Surge, Westfalia, and Mueller dairy equipment.

The automotive department was started under the guidance of general manager Emil Vandermause in the late 50's. Car maintenance and tire repair and sales are the main services offered. The shop area was expanded to its present size in the late ‘80’s.

Joe Brzeczkowski stands by a silo filler in front of the Co-op Store and Shop in 1939.
The car is a 1936, V8 Ford.

Helen Brzeczkowski is at the first gas station which consisted of three pumps.

Pulaski Chase Cooperative Presidents

• * Edward Malcheski 1930 - 1936
  
• * William Ziebarth 1937
  
• ** Art Krause 1938
  
• Stanley Ryczkowski 1940
  
• Edward Malcheski 1942
  
• William Ziebarth 1945
  
• Felix Rozmiarek 1967
  
• Joe Kaczmarek 1976
  
• Jack Betley 1980
  
• Richard Ferfecki 1991
  
• Al Szczepanski 2003 - Present
  

* Presidents of Pulaski Local Council (Cooperative)
** Art Krause was the sole president of the Chase Local Council (Cooperative) 1930-1938.

Pulaski Chase Cooperative General Managers

• Lawrence Dominczak 1938 - 1943
  
• Mike Babiarz 1943
  
• Henry Wyszynski 1943
  
• Emil Vandermause 1957
  
• Gordon Brenan 1973
  
• Kevin Tewes 1977
  
• Wallace Bud Rusch 1994
  
• Lee Davis 2000
  
• Todd Rosvold 2002 - present

Since the above article was written the Pulaski-Dry Grain business was purchased by Co-op and added much needed grain handling and marketing capability to better serve our growing grain producer base. This addition makes the Co-op one of the largest feed and grain dealers in the area.

The Agronomy facilities were also recently expanded to accommodate the sales that come with being the leading provider of crop input and protection products for our territory. More recent changes include the addition of the Mahindra line with offerings of 20 HP to 75 HP tractors. Bobcat and John Deere skid steer rentals have also been added, as has the NAPA parts line.

The heavy duty shop repairs tractors, medium and heavy duty trucks and construction equipment providing much needed service to farmers and businesses. Another service offered is the rental of tools through the Just Ask Rental department, and rental by the day or hour of compact tractors and skid steers. Pulaski-Chase Cooperative is truly the One Stop Service Center.