On March 20, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued a state-wide shelter-in-place order to take effect at 5:00 PM CT, March 21. Consistent with guidance from the United States Department of Homeland Security, the order exempts certain essential infrastructure and services, including agriculture and food. After a full review of the order, CHS has determined that its operations fit within this exemption and we will continue to operate to provide essential products and services so cooperatives and farmers can plant and grow crops, raise livestock and bring the food they produce to market.

CHS employees across Illinois will continue to observe company guidance working from home or operating CHS facilities as they have been since March 17. Revised procedures introduced last week remain in place across our footprint to protect the health and safety of employees, customers, suppliers and the communities we serve. Those procedures include:

• Remote work, social distancing and following CDC guidance to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of employees, customers, suppliers, and communities

• No non-essential visitors to CHS locations and additional on-site health, safety and cleaning procedures

• Use of voice, video and other technologies to serve customers and conduct business, including online meetings or phone coordination of farm services

• Continued observation of all safety guidelines, including use of personal protective equipment

• Leveraging our flexible supply chain and asset base if it becomes necessary to deliver to or from alternate locations

• Continuity plans to flex employees between locations or business units as needed to better serve customers

At CHS, the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees, customers, suppliers and communities are our highest priority. We remain committed to our purpose of creating connections to empower agriculture by supplying essential products and services for our customers and owners.

With the impact of the global pandemic caused by COVID-19 evolving rapidly, we want to reassure you that CHS is taking steps to protect the health and safety of our employees, our owners and customers, and the communities we serve.

We are developing plans with the goal of continuing to provide the highest possible level of service to our customers and owners. Specific measures include:

• Close coordination and collaboration to ensure safety and wellbeing of employees, customers and communities
• Cancelation of annual meetings and other meetings of large groups and limiting visits to CHS facilities
• Additional use of voice, video and other technology to serve you, our customers and coordinate farm visits
• Activating plans to flex employees between locations or business units to better serve you
• New process and rigor for interactions with vendors, suppliers, contractors or other third parties to promote health and safety
• Fully utilizing our powerful and flexible supply chain and asset base should it become necessary to deliver to or from alternate locations

As the busy spring season unfolds, we will continue to adjust as circumstances change. We don’t take this challenge lightly, but we’re committed to working through it with effective planning, communication and execution. With our talented and committed team, best-in-class assets and our values of safety and cooperative spirit, we are confident CHS will continue to deliver products and services for customers and value for owners.