Celebrating People-Powered Progress with Agriculture Cooperatives

Cooperative Month highlights the enduring strength of member-owned agri-businesses

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), more than 30,000 cooperatives operate across the country, contributing over $700 billion to the economy. Yet despite their widespread presence, many Americans remain unaware of what co-ops are or how they function.

For more than two centuries, cooperatives have empowered everyday people to pool resources, share risks, and build economic strength together. These member-owned, member-controlled businesses thrive wherever people unite to meet a common need.

October is traditionally recognized as Cooperative Month, a time to celebrate and educate the public about the cooperative business model. This year’s theme, “Cooperatives Build a Better World,” resonates deeply.

In a time marked by inflation, supply chain disruptions, and shifting workforce expectations, cooperatives offer a compelling alternative. They provide economic stability, community-focused solutions, and dignified jobs with pathways to ownership and wealth-building.

Compared to investor-owned businesses that prioritize shareholder returns, co-ops reinvest in their members through better services, lower costs, and shared profits.

At their core, cooperatives are agri-businesses owned and operated by the people who use their services. They exist to serve their members and span nearly every industry, including agriculture, food, and energy.

Cooperatives follow Seven Guiding Principles:

1. Voluntary and Open Membership
2. Democratic Member Control
3. Member Economic Participation
4. Autonomy and Independence
5. Education, Training and Information
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
7. Concern for Community

These principles ensure that co-ops remain transparent, inclusive, and community-driven. Whether it’s a local food co-op or a farmer-owned grain elevator, the cooperative model puts people first.

The tradition of Cooperative Month has deep roots in the Midwest. In 1948, Minnesota Governor Luther Youngdahl signed the first official proclamation at the request of the Minnesota Association of Cooperatives. In 1964, it became a national event thanks to Orville Freeman, another Minnesotan and then U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

Photo Credit: Pexels - Matthias Zomer