USDA Celebrating National Co-op Month

October was National Cooperative Month, giving many across the nation an opportunity to see the intricate part the cooperative model plays in the nation’s economy, particularly in rural America.

“Whether you belong to a credit union, you get electricity in a rural area, or even if you drink milk or eat candy that has sugar from sugarbeets, you’re probably benefiting from a cooperative.”

Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres-Small adds the cooperative model is a stable one, especially in rural ones.  She noted that 18% are a century old or older, and 51% of ag coops are more than 75 years old.

“Sectors from healthcare to food, to financial services and electricity, as well as high speed internet and more.  Rural electric cooperatives, provide power to three quarters of the nation’s land mass.  That combined with telecommunications coops are helping to expand access internet services as well.”

Click Here to learn more about National Co-op month and how the month was celebrated.

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