Learning the cooperative structure involves more than just agriculture

By Kerry Watson, Communications Specialist

Lane Allison, Seed Logistics Coordinator for MKC, was selected to join other students from across the nation to learn how cooperative businesses operate for the benefit of their customers. Students participated in the NFU College Conference on Cooperatives, sponsored by the CHS Foundation, CoBank, Farmers Union Industries Foundation, National Farmers Union (NFU) Foundation and others.  The event focused on how and why cooperatives succeed in America's competitive business environment.




"At every level, and in industries as varied as housing and daycare to electrical power generation and farm supply to marketing, cooperatives are leading business models serving millions of Americans," said NFU President Roger Johnson. "Cooperatives are owned by their members who are encouraged to have a voice in the overall business operations."

While in Minneapolis, students were guests at CHS, the nation's leading and largest agricultural cooperative.  Students heard from cooperative leaders, farmers, and government experts who exlained the current challenges facing member-owned cooperatives.  Students also toured housing, retail and marketing cooperatives in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

“I discovered that the reach of cooperatives goes far beyond the stereotype of just being agricultural business,” stated Lane.

Lane commented that the program provided him a better understanding of how cooperatives operate in a variety of settings as well as across cultures to other nations.  “Listening to farmers, managers, and entrepreneurs helped me better understand the value of cooperatives and the benefits they can provide,” said Lane.