President County Presidents Board of Directors Staff Outreach Coordinators History Mission Union Farmer Union Farmer Extra Membership Events Personal Growth Producers Collegiate Chapters Educational Resources Membership Form County Secretary Report Address Change Archives Cooperatives Co-ops at a Glance Co-op Q & A Co-op Principles Co-op History Co-op Services Co-op Directors Co-op Managers Co-op Partners Co-ops in the News   What is a cooperative? A cooperative is a business owned and controlled by the people who use it. A cooperative differ from other businesses because they are member-owned and operate for the benefit of members, rather than earning profits for investors. A cooperative provides jobs, supports business and personal needs, and enhances the quality of life. A cooperative is 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)