Cooperatives play a significant role in the agriculture sector. There are several different types of cooperatives that provide services to farmers, ranchers, and other cooperatives.
Marketing cooperatives handle, process and market virtually every commodity grown and produced in the United States. They bargain to help their farmer members obtain reasonable prices for the commodities they produce.
Farm supply cooperatives are engaged in the manufacture, sale and/or distribution of farm supplies and inputs, as well as energy-related products, including ethanol and biodiesel.
Credit cooperatives include the banks and associations of the cooperative Farm Credit System that provide farmers and their cooperatives with a competitive source of credit and other financial services, including export financing.
Examples of Cooperatives in the Agriculture Sector
CHS Inc. is the nation’s leading cooperative owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States. CHS supplies energy, crop nutrients, grain marketing services, animal feed, and food and food ingredients. They also operate petroleum refineries/pipelines and manufacture, market, and distribute Cenex® brand refined fuels, lubricants, propane, and renewable energy products.
Foremost Farms, headquartered in Middleton WI, is proud to be one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the United States and a major food manufacturing business. Owned by hundreds of Midwest dairy farm members located across seven Midwest states, the co-op produces high-quality milk used to make millions of pounds of award-winning cheese, butter and dairy ingredients every year.
Compeer Financial is a member-owned, Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural communities. Compeer Financial provides loans, leases, risk management and other financial services throughout 144 counties in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Based in the upper Midwest, Compeer Financial exists to champion the hopes and dreams of rural America. With 1,200 dedicated team members serving more than 43,000 clients, they offer specialized expertise and personalized service regardless of the size of the farm, the type of crop grown or the livestock raised.
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