Archer Daniels Midland

Founded in 1902 and incorporated in 1923, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) is one of the largest agricultural processors in the world. It supplies many of the inputs for agricultural production; buys the crops from the field; processes them into food for humans, animals, fuels, and chemicals; sells them all over the economy; and lobbies, very successfully, to obtain and retain the legislation that makes the entire operation profitable.

It is profitable. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, ADM reported net earnings of $1,223 billion; its net revenues for 2014 came to $81.201 billion. Its shareholders were doing very well. Profits were up in Europe, South America, and Asia. ADM prides itself on its reliable performance for its shareholders. On November 5, 2014, the board ...