For six generations, the Strauss family name has been synonymous with hard work, innovation, and deep roots in Wabash County agriculture. That legacy reached a monumental new chapter yesterday with the official grand opening of the brand-new Strauss Feed Mill near North Manchester, Indiana.
Located at 0648 E 1100 N, the cutting-edge facility represents much more than a simple upgrade in milling capacity—it marks a powerhouse investment that will fuel MPS Egg Farms and Indiana’s booming poultry sector while throwing open a wide, profitable door for grain farmers across northern Indiana.
A Century-and-a-Half Tradition Meets Modern Efficiency
The story of MPS Egg Farms dates back to 1875, when Daniel Strauss first harnessed the Eel River to run a water-powered grain mill. Over the decades, that small-town mill evolved through coal, ice, animal feed, and eventually the foundational partnership with the Manwaring family that launched Midwest Poultry Services in 1968.
Today, under the direction of Sam and Dan Krouse, the sixth generation of family leadership, that pioneering spirit continues to drive the operation forward.
“Our family has been making feed in North Manchester consistently since 1875,” said Co-CEO Sam Krouse during yesterday’s ribbon-cutting celebration. “Over that time, our mills have connected us to our community and its farmers, turning their quality grain into quality feed.”
The newly unveiled Strauss Feed Mill was meticulously designed to supercharge efficiency and spike production capacity for the company’s three regional layer farms. But for local crop producers, the most exciting part of the blueprints lies in where that grain is coming from.
A Golden Opportunity for Wabash County Corn Growers
By design, the new mill relies on sourcing nearly all its grain close to home. For corn producers in North Manchester, Wabash County, and the surrounding agricultural communities of northern Indiana, this localized supply chain delivers massive, direct benefits:
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Guaranteed Local Market: A high-capacity feed mill right in their backyard gives area farmers a consistent, dependable, and high-volume local home for their corn harvest.
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Reduced Freight Costs & Emissions: Sourcing grain locally slashes transportation logistics and hauling expenses for growers, while simultaneously cutting down on transit-related carbon emissions.
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A Resilient Supply Chain: Bypassing complex, distant supply chains creates a hyper-transparent, bulletproof local agricultural network that insulates both grain producers and poultry operations from external market shocks.
Powering Indiana’s Poultry Leadership
As consumer demand continues to evolve—anchored by MPS Egg Farms’ nationwide leadership in cage-free innovation and top-tier animal welfare standards—feed conversion and nutritional precision are more critical than ever.
The new mill ensures that the thousands of hens across the company’s Indiana farms receive optimal, locally-milled nutrition. By pairing cutting-edge milling technology with locally grown northern Indiana grain, MPS Egg Farms is reinforcing Indiana’s standing as a premier powerhouse in American animal agriculture.
Farmers, community leaders, and industry partners turned out in force yesterday for guided tours of the facility, a chance to meet the Krouse family team, and a shared celebration of a milestone rooted deeply in the past yet laser-focused on the future of Hoosier agriculture.
CLICK HERE for more information about Strauss Feed Mill.
CLICK HERE for more information about MPS Egg Farms.
