KOVA marks 75 years, gives back to communities

Greenburg, Ind.-KOVA, an Indiana-based, family-owned-and-operated business, is proudly celebrating its 75^th anniversary. It started as KOVA Fertilizer Corp. in the spring of 1935, when Francis Reed sold his first bag of fertilizer from North Anderson Street in Greensburg, Indiana. Now, 75 years later, the company still operates on Anderson Street, but has expanded to include retail and wholesale locations throughout Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio. KOVA has also expanded with a family of ten allied businesses operating under the KOVA Agri-Team (KAT) brand, which includes AgriBusiness Finance, Crop Fertility Specialists, Next Gene Seeds, American Grower Insurance, LLC, KOVA Fertilizer, Inc., KOVA Fertilizer Retail, KOVA of Ohio, Heartland, Fields of Vision, and Next Generation. Today the company is headed by the second and third generation of Reeds. Francis’ son Dick works alongside his three sons, Todd, Brad, and Brian. “We’re very proud of our industry, our agriculture focus, the producers and communities we serve. There really are only a handful of businesses that share this important diamond anniversary status,” said Dick Reed, KOVA president. “Our business is and always has been firmly rooted in trust. We are anxious to celebrate our past while we grow the future of the communities that have helped us grow.” The “Community Gift Back” program will take place at KOVA Fertilizer and retail stores in Greensburg, Seymour, and Westport, Ind., and eight Crop Fertility Specialists locations in Winimac, LaCrosse, Kewanna, Milford, Rossville, Bourbon, Burnettsville, and Urbana, Ind. At each location, $1,075 will be awarded to a local non-profit organization to help them with community projects. A random drawing will be held at each of the 11 locations later in the summer, with their efforts showcased at a celebration in Greensburg in August. During its 75 years, KOVA says it has given support to several organizations, including the 4-H, FFA, Indiana Plant Food Association, Purdue University, and local hospitals, among several others.