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Two names - one goal of innovating agriculture and strengthening community
McCOOK, Neb. - Red Willow Chemical & Fertilizer is renowned for walking the fields and prescribing perfect, custom solutions to maximize your yield potential. However, the company’s expertise extends far beyond chemicals.
Located up the hill on Airport Road in McCook, Neb., Red Willow Aviation & Spraying marks the origin of this multifaceted enterprise. This division remains committed to serving both the local community and those just passing through.
The loss of Griff Malleck, founder and original heart of Red Willow Aviation & Spraying (RWA) and Red Willow Chemical & Fertilizer (RWC), was crushing for both the business and community. The new owner and staff strive to carry on the legacy Malleck left behind. By following his lead, RWA and RWC continue to support the community in ways that often go unnoticed.
Cleo Spencer, owner and CEO, took over operations in 2019 and officially bought the business in 2021.
RWA and RWC emphasize community support and philanthropy, continuing the tradition set by Malleck in his tenure.
“I knew Griff was big into supporting the community, and donated all the time,” said Spencer. “We do the same, donating similar amounts to the community and surrounding areas.”
RWA was a major asset in fighting wildfires on area farmlands, the only local aerial operation to help out in such a critical time.
Their FBO (fixed base operation) is often utilized by the Nebraska Air National Guard. “We like to give back to the National Guard and buy them meals when they stop by,” Spencer said.
They offer tours and educational opportunities to local and surrounding area schools, as well as scholarships and internships for students interested in the ag industry.
The scholarship and intern application reads, “We are committed to promoting the ag industry and encouraging our local youth to take advantage of opportunities here. We believe that our young kids from local communities are our biggest asset.”
The only requirement to be considered for the scholarship is to major in an ag-related field.
With Spencer at the helm, the company saw an uptick in chemical sales and has adjusted the team to create a better and more dedicated culture within. The business employs 17 individuals across the sales office and including the airport staff.
The sales staff is young, knowledgeable, and ready to help ag producers take back control of their fields.
“Some farmers think the more knowledgeable chemical salesmen have to have been around longer,” said Spencer, “but our guys are top of the game, incredibly smart and local.”
RWC is equipped to serve a wide range of needs, from farmers with large-scale operations down to residential lawn care, offering fully customizable options designed for your specific requirements.
With a comprehensive selection of chemicals from leading brands such as Syngenta, Corteva, Bayer, BASF, and other well-known and generic brands, the solutions are endless.
“Our team is prepared to recommend solutions for diseases, insects, and invasive plants,” Spencer said. “We use herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides to protect crops from grasses and weeds that steal moisture, or from bugs that reduce yield.”
The agronomy specialists at RWC are dedicated to supporting local farmers. They work closely with farmers in the field, ensuring they understand the specific challenges each farmer faces. This hands-on approach allows them to recommend the best, customized plan for each unique situation.
Though RWC and RWA are two businesses, they operate seamlessly together as one.
Full-service options from RWC include chemical sales, aviation application, and agronomy services. They also offer free local area delivery and other delivery options.
For RWA, the list of services is extensive and includes support for the Ben Nelson Regional Airport.
RWC offers aviation spraying through RWA.
The pilots are among the best in the industry; Perfect Flight approved with data to support their more accurate and precise spraying, resulting in less waste and better coverage for farmers.
They have invested heavily in the aviation spraying side of the business, not only in pilots, but in the aircrafts as well. It’s a fact that modern technology quickly becomes obsolete with new advancements made constantly.
RWA strives to be as up to date as possible when it comes to their fleet. To offer more efficient services for their customers, they frequently invest in new equipment, tools, planes, and GPS Systems to ensure the accuracy of application.
“A lot of people don’t know what we really do at the airport,” said Spencer referring to the aviation part of the business. “It’s a lot more involved than just maintaining our own planes.”
The FBO office is 24/7 and provides full service, offering fuel to Ben Nelson Regional Airport airlines, UPS, Fed-X, and other pilots. Many pilots choose to fuel up in a less congested airport rather than places such as Denver International Airport, making RWA the primary support service provider for general aviation operators.
The staff at RWA have seen the likes of celebrities such as Elon Musk, Morgan Freeman and Kid Rock who have all made fuel stops here in McCook.
The City of McCook maintains the airport land and Spencer is grateful for the relationship they have with the city and admires the work they do all around.
RWA and RWC continue to play a crucial role in supporting the local ag industry, combining a strong commitment to the farmers and their equally strong commitment to the community.
They don’t just work for you, they work with you, ensuring to grow relationships one crop at a time.
This article is a continuing series about McCook Gazette “Thumbs Up to Business” partners. Call the Gazette at (308)345-4500 for more information on how to have your business included in this series.