Celebrating National Co-op Month
Oct 14, 2022
Celebrated by cooperatives nationwide during the month of October, National Co-op Month is an annual opportunity to raise awareness of a trusted, proven way to do business and cultivate communities.
Cooperatives are a very important part of the U.S. economy and contribute essential goods and services to rural America. Many communities rely on cooperatives to provide retail services (that’s us!), locally grown food, housing, electricity, financial services, internet, and much more.
Co-op Month has been a nationally recognized celebration since 1964, when U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman, a former Minnesota governor, proclaimed October Co-op Month.
This year’s theme is "Co-ops Build Economic Power.” There’s no doubt about that. When farmer-owners do business with Co-Alliance, a portion of our profit is paid back to the members through patronage. That’s money back in the farmer’s hands, allowing them to invest back into rural communities.
Our co-op also invests greatly in the communities we serve. Last year more than $500,000 was given back to local organizations including food security programs, 4-H, FFA, and farm safety training.
Unlike other ag retailers who have decision makers in corporate offices states away, our business is operated by our farmer-members who own shares in the company. We’re farmer-owned, neighbor-owned, and family-owned.
Originally organized as a resource for seed potatoes in the 1920, we’ve seen a lot of change. What has remained constant are the seven cooperative principles we follow:
Today we’re proud to work with multiple generations on the farm and in commercial businesses that continue to find tremendous value in the cooperative spirit. Our farmer-owners recognize the power in cooperation and working together for a common good. It’s the very fabric of our business.
Cooperatives are a very important part of the U.S. economy and contribute essential goods and services to rural America. Many communities rely on cooperatives to provide retail services (that’s us!), locally grown food, housing, electricity, financial services, internet, and much more.
Co-op Month has been a nationally recognized celebration since 1964, when U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman, a former Minnesota governor, proclaimed October Co-op Month.
This year’s theme is "Co-ops Build Economic Power.” There’s no doubt about that. When farmer-owners do business with Co-Alliance, a portion of our profit is paid back to the members through patronage. That’s money back in the farmer’s hands, allowing them to invest back into rural communities.
Our co-op also invests greatly in the communities we serve. Last year more than $500,000 was given back to local organizations including food security programs, 4-H, FFA, and farm safety training.
Unlike other ag retailers who have decision makers in corporate offices states away, our business is operated by our farmer-members who own shares in the company. We’re farmer-owned, neighbor-owned, and family-owned.
Originally organized as a resource for seed potatoes in the 1920, we’ve seen a lot of change. What has remained constant are the seven cooperative principles we follow:
Today we’re proud to work with multiple generations on the farm and in commercial businesses that continue to find tremendous value in the cooperative spirit. Our farmer-owners recognize the power in cooperation and working together for a common good. It’s the very fabric of our business.