Trainor Ag Products, LLC. is a full-service agricultural retail company dedicated to supporting local farmers and is proudly owned by Paul and Sarah Trainor. Located on State Route 146 E in Anna, their commitment to quality and reliability has earned them the reputation of being “The Farmers’ Choice.”
Recently, the Union County CEO team had the opportunity to visit Trainor Ag alongside our friends from Johnson County CEO. Trainor Ag is an Investor for both programs, and our joint visit was an awesome experience for everyone involved! 🙌
Paul Trainor grew up on a farm in central Illinois and earned his degree in Ag Business from SIU–Carbondale. After several years working in the ag industry—including time with Dow and Monsanto—Paul and Sarah made the decision to start their own business to build a life closer to home and family.
Fast forward to today, and Trainor Ag has grown into a thriving company providing fertilizer, pesticides, seeds, and a wide range of services for the farming community.
During our visit, Paul introduced several key members of his team, including Matt, Danny, Judy and Robert. Each shared their own career journey, showing our students that there are many paths to success. Common themes emerged—work hard, be accountable, stay honest, show loyalty, and never stop learning. Paul emphasized that his team operates like a family, built on mutual respect and individual strengths—a message that truly resonated with our young professionals. 💡
🗣️ Cobden Jr-Sr High student and UCCEO team member Alyssa Fabian shared:
“Mr. Trainor emphasized the importance of surrounding yourself with a strong and successful team when running a business. That really stood out to me because it reminded me of our own CEO class—everyone brings something different to the table, and that’s what makes a team successful.
He also shared valuable advice about giving more than you receive, putting the customer first, and building relationships rooted in generosity and service. Another lesson that inspired me was his point about internal and external teams—how growth comes not only from those within your business but also from the connections you build outside of it.
Overall, visiting Trainor Ag was incredibly inspiring and reminded me that success isn’t just about what you know, but also about how you lead, communicate, and present yourself along the way.”
🍩 A huge thank-you to Paul, Sarah, and the entire Trainor Ag team for hosting us! We learned so much, enjoyed some delicious doughnuts, and left with a bit of “sand in our pockets” to use when we need it most.
Trainor Ag, your continued investment in the CEO programs means the world to us—it’s businesses like yours that help our young professionals learn, grow, and follow their dreams. 💚
#UnionCountyCEO #JohnsonCountyCEO #TrainorAg #EntrepreneurshipEducation #CommunityPartners
