What started as a hay-selling enterprise three decades ago has transformed into a full pet supply business in the Duluth area of Clark County.
Pioneer Feed celebrated their 30th anniversary in business on Saturday, Sept. 20, with dozens of gift baskets available for raffle, an appearance by Curly the Camel and more. Cathi Agard has owned the business with her husband, Mike, through its entire journey, and she hopes that Pioneer Feed continues for another 30 years.
The secret to 30 years in business? Being close and attentive with customers, especially as the times have changed.
“We’ve really enjoyed being a staple in the community,” Agard said. “We are very focused on customer service. We have many customers who have been with us since our very first day 30 years ago. We’re big supporters of the youth in the community through the junior livestock auction, the barrel racing group, drill teams, that sort of thing. We’ve enjoyed getting to know our customers. We know many of them on a first name basis. They’re like family to us.”
Pioneer Feed kicked off its business selling hay, which they still do, but the market in today’s Clark County agriculture scene has more to do with small animals.
“At the time we started, there were still 33 dairy farms in Clark County, and I think there are now two,” Agard said. “So we’ve obviously expanded much more into poultry, alpacas and equine. We basically have feed for almost every species of animal except reptiles and birds.”
Agard also said that when they started as a hay-dominant business, they would sell about three bags of chicken food per month. Now, in 2025, Pioneer Feed is selling pallets of chicken feed per week, she added.
“The smaller animals and pets obviously, too, you know, have become a very large part of our business as people are living on smaller properties,” Agard said.
In this day and age, a lot of people opt to have their pet supplies and feed delivered to their doorstep by ordering online, but even with that additional change over the last 30 years, customers file into Pioneer Feed. One of the many reasons that people still choose to visit a feed store, Agard said, is because of the advice staff can give them.
To help with the changing clientele landscape over the years, Agard said it is crucial they hire knowledgeable staff in each facet of the business. She said a few of her staff members have been with Pioneer Feed for over a dozen years.
“There are some people, who, for all kinds of reasons, you know, either need to or want to have (the online) service, but we do support and appreciate the people who do continue to support us,” Agard said. “Many of them have been customers since our first day.”
Pioneer Feed is located at 21605 NE 10th Ave. in Ridgefield. They are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pioneer Feed can be found online at pioneerfeed.net and can be reached by calling 360-887-4237.
