Pratum Cooperative Joins Aligned Ag Distributors Ownership Group
September 3, 2026 Aligned Ag Distributors (AAD), a national crop inputs distribution company, is adding a new owner, Pratum Cooperative. Based in Salem, Oregon, Pratum is a locally owned cooperative serving growers throughout the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon. The cooperative brings to AAD a distinctive position in Pacific Northwest agriculture, including a significant, vertically integrated presence in the global grass seed industry and agronomy operations serving a diverse mix of specialty crops.
“We are excited to welcome Pratum Cooperative as our newest owner,” said Mary Tolke, president and CEO of Aligned Ag Distributors. “Pratum brings a unique business footprint, particularly through its leadership in the grass seed industry, along with the kind of grower-focused, team-oriented culture that fits exceptionally well with Aligned Ag and our other existing owners.”
Founded in 1946, Pratum operates across three primary business areas: agronomy, energy and seed. Its agronomy business serves more than 30 crops, including hazelnuts, berries and specialty seed crops in the Willamette Valley, as well as hay, forage, alfalfa, bluegrass seed, carrot seed and other crops in Central Oregon.
For Pratum, joining AAD strengthens the cooperative’s ability to remain independent while providing its grower-owners with a reliable, competitive agricultural supply channel.
“In our geography, our customers have a unique crop mix, and we need to be able to make decisions that fit their operations, so staying independent and being able to adapt to shifting market conditions is really important to us,” said Doug Kuenzi, agronomy division manager at Pratum Cooperative. “Aligned Ag gives us the opportunity to be part of an independently aligned supply network that helps us ensure consistent access to the products our growers need.”
Kuenzi said AAD’s existing ownership group was also an important factor in Pratum’s decision.
“When we looked at the other Aligned Ag owners, we saw cutting-edge companies that are the top of the top in ag retail and doing a great job serving growers in their respective geographies,” Kuenzi said. “Those are the same things we strive for at Pratum. Being affiliated with companies that share our culture, vision, values and approach to service is important to make all of us better.”
Pratum has built a substantial presence within the Pacific Northwest agricultural market it serves while maintaining the local decision-making and customer relationships of an independent cooperative. That combination of regional expertise, service and grower focus closely mirrors the philosophy of AAD and its owner companies.
“We care an awful lot about the crops our growers raise and about helping our customers succeed,” Kuenzi added. “Joining Aligned Ag allows us to preserve that local focus while connecting with a broader network that gives us additional strength and long-term supply security.”
Pratum’s addition expands AAD’s geographic and crop diversity while further strengthening its network of independent agricultural retailers and cooperatives serving growers across the United States. AAD is in its eleventh year as a distribution company with approximately half a billion dollars in crop protection product sales.
“Our owners are strong, independent businesses with deep roots in the markets they serve, and Pratum is a natural addition to that group,” Tolke shared. “We’re thrilled to have them on board.”
Subscribe Today For
