Sunrise Cooperative’s RISE Program Grows the Next Workforce
Sep 05, 2025
When George Secor, president and CEO of Sunrise Cooperative, sat down with staff at the Ohio FFA Foundation several years ago, no one expected their conversation to spark one of Ohio agriculture’s most effective workforce solutions. At the time, the Ohio FFA Foundation needed a reliable vehicle for the Ohio FFA state president, who drives countless miles visiting FFA chapters and events. Meanwhile, Sunrise faced a need to bring in new talent to replace long-time employees nearing retirement. Out of that conversation came the RISE FFA Career Program—Recruiting Innovative Sunrise Employees—a unique effort that’s connecting top FFA high school graduates directly with stable, well-paying jobs in agriculture at Sunrise Cooperative.
Secor knew firsthand how difficult it is to find young people willing to adapt to the unpredictable demands of agriculture, where weather and growing conditions dictate schedules. He also recognized that many FFA members already understood those demands and wanted to stay involved in agriculture, but didn’t necessarily want to attend college.
“It started with the fact that we were going to struggle with a vast number of people retiring from our company,” Secor said. “And in all honesty, working in ag is tough. We don’t set our hours; the farmers set our hours. We have to be here when we’re needed.”
Through the RISE program, FFA’s top graduating seniors can start full-time employment at Sunrise Cooperative immediately after high school, earning competitive wages along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid health insurance, a generous 401(k) plan, and company profit sharing. The program is structured with rotations and training, which Secor calls “Sunrise University”, giving participants real-world experience. Through the multi-year program, RISE employees gain hands-on experience in the grain, agronomy, and energy divisions, learning how each part of the cooperative serves Ohio farmers.
“They’re going to different branches and divisions, and by the time they’re two years in, most of them are ready to start applying for permanent jobs,” Secor explained.
This hands-on approach helps them see firsthand how customer-owners rely on Sunrise’s people, products, and services across different regions of the state. The variety also keeps new hires engaged and exposes them to career paths they might not have considered.
Since welcoming the first RISE hires in 2020, Sunrise has hired 54 graduates through the program, with 14 seniors hired in 2024 and 13 seniors in 2025. The program has maintained an impressive retention rate of nearly 85%, demonstrating that these young professionals not only want to work in agriculture but see it as a viable long-term career. For the cooperative, RISE provides a pipeline of energetic, motivated employees ready to step into roles as experienced team members retire.
“You don’t have to have a college degree,” Secor said. “You have to come to work every day with a can-do attitude and be willing to learn. If you have that, we can teach them anything we do, as long as they’re willing to and want to learn what we do.”
The RISE program isn’t just a win for Sunrise, it also benefits the Ohio FFA. Sunrise provides a brand-new pickup truck each year for the State FFA President to drive during their term, ensuring they have a dependable vehicle to travel to events across Ohio. When the president’s term ends, that truck becomes a signing bonus for one top RISE recruit. Additionally, Sunrise donates $500 to the FFA chapter of every RISE hire, with the top recruit’s chapter receiving $1,000. This support not only rewards outstanding FFA members but also strengthens local chapters, keeping FFA strong at the grassroots level.
Recognizing the impact of RISE, Sunrise and the Ohio FFA program have since expanded the idea beyond their cooperative. They opened the model to other companies, leading to the creation of the broader Ohio FFA Works program. Today, several companies across the state are participating, giving more FFA graduates opportunities for immediate employment in agriculture-related careers.
“This isn’t about Sunrise,” Secor emphasized. “This is about the kids who need a future. It’s great for FFA, great for the kids, and great for any company willing to train them.”
For many young people entering the workforce, the thought of tens of thousands of dollars in student debt can be daunting. RISE offers an alternative path: earn while you learn, gain valuable skills in a hands-on environment, and move into a permanent role with a company that supports Ohio agriculture.
Through RISE, Sunrise Cooperative isn’t just filling positions, it’s investing in the future of Ohio agriculture. In an industry where success depends on reliable people, programs like RISE show that innovation isn’t always about new technology; sometimes it’s new ideas that bring people and purpose together.
By Brianna Smith - taken from Ohio Country Journal
https://ocj.com/2025/09/sunrise-cooperatives-rise-program-grows-the-next-workforce/