Grower Portal Case Study
Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative
Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative is the first sugarbeet cooperative established in the United States, with a history of serving growers and the domestic sweetener industry. Today they process over 105,000 acres of sugarbeets, serve 430 shareholders, operate a 1,200-acre facility, and employ more than 400 people.
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Who is Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative
Founded in 1972 in Wahpeton, North Dakota, Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative has grown into a vital part of the domestic sweetener industry. The cooperative is committed to its growers, shareholders, and community, and has long recognized the need to modernize its digital systems to better serve them.
With over 105,000 acres of sugarbeets processed annually and hundreds of employees and growers relying on timely, accurate data, the stakes were high. Minn-Dak needed a partner who could deliver a future-ready solution built with Midwest values in mind.
The Challenge
Disconnected Systems Creating Inefficiencies and Data Risks
Minn-Dak relied on outdated, disconnected tools—including a legacy grower information system and a harvest data app—that led to slow operations, manual workarounds, and data risks. The impact was felt by both staff and growers.
“It didn't make sense to simply upgrade our old technology. Starting fresh was the right call: we needed something clean, intuitive for both growers and our team, and it has truly paid off.”
John Wieser
IT Director, Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative
John Wieser, IT Director at Minn-Dak, discusses their decision to start fresh with Onsharp.
The Solution
A future-ready grower portal built with Midwest values in mind
Onsharp partnered with Minn-Dak to design and develop a unified grower portal that streamlined critical functions into one secure hub.
- •Enter field and agronomic data with ease
- •Access real-time harvest updates
- •Retain over 20 years of historical data
Key Features
Field & Agronomic Data Entry
Growers can easily enter and manage critical crop information.
Real-Time Harvest Updates
Instant access to harvest data keeps everyone aligned and informed.
Historical Data Access
Over 20 years of records available in one secure location.
Unified Platform
Replaced outdated, siloed systems with one simple, centralized portal.
The Results
Stronger engagement, streamlined operations, and lasting impact
The new grower portal transformed Minn-Dak's operations, boosting efficiency, reducing manual data entry, and empowering staff and growers. The project was delivered on schedule and on budget.
“We are just extremely happy with your team and how they picked up the ball and ran. They did exactly what we needed and got it done with plenty of time. We tested it, felt confident from day one, and it worked flawlessly.”
“The project was actually fun, I mean, we actually had fun working on this project,” John added.
Key Outcomes
Boost Efficiency
Streamlined processes save time and simplified day-to-day operations.
Reduce Manual Entries
Disconnected systems were replaced with one central hub for real-time data.
Empower Staff & Growers
Smarter, faster decisions backed by accurate, accessible information.
“You're detail-oriented and used to working with companies like us. We explained things the best we could, and your team understood it right off the bat, and sometimes they understood things we didn't.”
John Wieser, IT Director, Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative