Minnesota-based First District Association is a dairy cooperative serving 560 producer- members and converting millions of pounds of milk each day into cheese and whey products for domestic and export markets.
Celebrating the spirit of cooperatives
Every strong community has a story behind it
October is National Co-op Month, a time to celebrate the cooperative businesses and organizations that help strengthen communities, create opportunities and support the industries that power rural America. The spirit of cooperatives is highlighted in everything we do — our deep connections within the Farm Credit System, our dedication to serving the communities we live and work and the successes of our customers that bring the cooperative difference to life.
Connected by a shared mission
For more than a century, the Farm Credit System has helped farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, rural infrastructure providers and cooperatives access the capital and financial services they need to grow, innovate and thrive.
As a customer-owned cooperative within that system, CoBank is proud to be part of something bigger than any one organization. Together with our association partners and customers, we're demonstrating the power of cooperation in action — expanding opportunities, strengthening communities and helping build a vibrant future for rural America.
Connected by a shared mission
For more than a century, the Farm Credit System has helped farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, rural infrastructure providers and cooperatives access the capital and financial services they need to grow, innovate and thrive.
As a customer-owned cooperative within that system, CoBank is proud to be part of something bigger than any one organization. Together with our association partners and customers, we're demonstrating the power of cooperation in action — expanding opportunities, strengthening communities and helping build a vibrant future for rural America.
Co-ops in action
Strong communities are built by organizations working toward something bigger than themselves. Across the industries we serve, customers are creating positive change, solving complex challenges and helping rural America thrive. These achievements are a powerful reminder that when people come together around a shared mission, the impact extends far beyond any one business or community.
Co-ops in action
Strong communities are built by organizations working toward something bigger than themselves. Across the industries we serve, customers are creating positive change, solving complex challenges and helping rural America thrive. These achievements are a powerful reminder that when people come together around a shared mission, the impact extends far beyond any one business or community.
Cooperative success stories
I often compare being CEO of a cooperative to being the coach of a team … building up the organization to work together towards one common goal: to be the best in the world at what we do.
The seven cooperative principles
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all people able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The co-op rule is one vote per member.
Members contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of the cooperative. This benefits members in proportion to the transactions with the cooperative rather than the capital invested.
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If the co-op enters into agreements with other organizations or raises capital from external sources, it is done so based on terms that ensure democratic control by the members and maintain the cooperative autonomy.
Cooperatives provide education and training for members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperative. Members also inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperatives.
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
While focusing on member needs, Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of communities through policies accepted by their members.