(KNZA)--Stockholders of Hiawatha-based Ag Partners Cooperative and Seneca-based Nemaha County Cooperative Association will vote Thursday, June 28 on a proposed merger.

The voting will take place at separate meetings at the Fisher Center in Hiawatha and Corning Community Center in Corning from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A two-thirds majority vote of the voting members present at each meeting is required to pass the unification.

If approved, the merger would take place September 1st.

The new consolidated company would be known as Ag Partners Cooperative, Inc. and the corporate office would be located in Seneca.  

The unified cooperative would be overseen by a 14 member board consisting of seven current members from each cooperative.

After several months of discussion, the boards of directors of both cooperatives agreed unanimously to pursue the proposed merger citing economic dynamics, pressures and competition.

The boards say the proposed merger would strengthen both companies and provide a more efficient utilization of assets.