News Room Upcoming Events Photo Gallery Resources Forms Youth Education
About Membership Legisaltive Activity Cooperatives Markets Affiliates Transportation


Co-ops
At a Glance
Q & A
Principles
Co-op History
Co-op Services
Co-op Directors
Co-op Managers
Co-op Partners
 
What is a cooperative?
  • Cooperatives are businesses owned and controlled by the people who use them.
  • Cooperatives differ from other businesses because they are member owned and operate for the benefit of members, rather than earning profits for investors.
  • Cooperatives provide jobs, support business and personal needs, and enhance the quality of life. 
  • Cooperatives are incorporated under State law. 
  • The cooperative structure provides insurance, credit, health care, housing, telephone, electrical transportation, childcare, and utility services.
  • Cooperative members use cooperatives to buy food, consumer goods, and business and production supplies.
  • Farmers use cooperatives to market and process crops and livestock, purchase supplies and services, and to provide credit for their operations. 





 
Cooperatives are organized to:
  • Improve bargaining power
  • Reduce costs.
  • Obtain products or services otherwise unavailable
  • Expand new and existing market opportunities
  • Improve product or service quality
  • Increase income

(Sources: North Dakota Farmers Union, USDA, National Cooperative Bank)

 
Search      
Join Today Contact Us Farmers Union Insurance Farmers Union Carbon Credit
 
Site developed and programmed by K2 Interactive | copyright 2007 North Dakota Farmers Union
If you do not have Adobe Reader on your computer, you can download it here  .