Easy online shopping. Transparent prices. Scheduled delivery at a chosen time and location.
Farmers Business Network, Inc. (FBN) has attracted over 90,000 farmer members from across North America with a business model based on high convenience at reasonable cost.
“Our tagline is Farmers First, and we take that seriously,” says Breen Neeser, FBN country manager for Canada. “Our business model appeals to farmers who like fair and transparent prices for farm inputs, who are savvy with online purchasing, and who like the convenience of delivery where and when they want it.”
The website at FBN.com is open 24-7 for product purchasing.
With all the risks in agriculture, many of them outside a farmer’s influence, FBN gives members the chance to take back some control of their production costs. “The first thing we want to do is increase profitability for farmers,” Neeser says. “That is our goal.”
FBN offers familiar herbicide, fungicide and insecticide active ingredients as well as adjuvants, inoculants and micronutrients. When farmers know exactly what they want, they can pick and purchase it. When farmers are looking for further insight on product needs, they can use FBN’s AcrePlansTM for canola, wheat, durum, barley, peas, lentils and corn to get a list of common inputs for each crop.
“Farmers can see all of our products, package sizes and prices on the site for quick comparison shopping,” Neeser says. “Our customers tell us they really like this transparency.”
With any purchase, members have the flexibility to pay by bank transfer, credit card or cheque. Members can also arrange input financing through FBN’s lending partners.
A positive presence
FBN has operated for over five years in Canada and now has a network of 14 on-the-ground salespeople from Ontario to B.C., over 150 “community builder” agents, and strategically located warehouses to provide timely delivery.
“We are present, and we do what we say we are going to do,” Neeser says.
With a world-class logistics network, FBN offers delivery in three days or fewer on most orders. FBN also offers free pick up at select warehouse locations. After purchasing, members can use FBN’s online tracking system to monitor their order status in real time and know exactly when those products will arrive. And because plans change, members can also adjust delivery times and locations.
FBN has a constantly growing product portfolio and customer base. “One of the metrics that makes me most proud,” Neeser says, “is the high percentage of retained business. Customers let us serve them again and again, and that only happens when customers trust you.”
Become a member
FBN is open to farmers of any size, although it often appeals to independent-minded farmers who don’t want to be totally tied to one retail.
Go to FBN.com and click “join for free”. Farmers enter their email or phone number, and an FBN representative will have them set up in about five minutes.
The website always has promotions and offers to further reduce costs and increase farm profitability. For example, new customers get a discount of 5% on purchases of $5,000 or more made from now until September 30, 2025. “Farmers First Days” savings of up to 10% off select products on qualifying purchases of $5,000 or more made before July 18, 2025.
With their free FBN membership, farmers also get access to:
- FBN Crop Marketing – a powerful crop marketing tool that supports farm business decisions.
- FBN Insights – data-driven analytics, based on input from the FBN network, to help with seed, chemical and farm operation decisions.
- FBN Community – where 90,000+ FBN members can connect with one another through an online forum, in-person events and virtual webinars.
- FBN Resources – to providefree agronomic guidance.
Farmers First is more than a tagline, Neeser says. “It is our mission.”
