Nebraska cooperatives mark October with 'built for this moment' theme

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 14:03 · Archive

October is Cooperative Month, with this year's theme 'built for this moment', focusing on how cooperatives operate differently from investment-driven companies.

October is Cooperative Month, with this year's theme 'built for this moment'. Rocky Weber, president and general counsel of the Nebraska Cooperative Council, discussed what this means for the cooperative model. Weber explained that cooperatives operate differently from companies focused on investment returns. 'Cooperatives are a unique business model. They're not a return on investment model. They're owned by the people that use the cooperatives,' he said.

With agricultural cooperatives, farmers own and use them, electing a board of directors made up of farmers. Because nobody is seeking investment returns, cooperatives can weather agricultural cycles better than investment-focused companies. In Nebraska, about 28 agricultural cooperatives operate across more than 400 locations across the state, serving 400 communities.

Cooperatives employ more than 5,000 people statewide, with a payroll of about $435 million, all in rural Nebraska. Last year, farmer-owned cooperatives returned $61 million in cash equity and patronage payments to their farmer members based on their business with the cooperative. Cooperatives also issued about $67 million in new deferred equity to be redeemed for cash later.

How it is being reported

• Co-op Month: How ‘Built for this moment’ theme relates to cooperativesOctober is Cooperative Month, and this year’s theme is “built for this moment.” Rocky Weber, president and general counsel of the Nebraska Cooperative Council, discussed the theme during a Pure Nebraska studio interview.WOWT · 28 Oct, 13:28
• Co-op Month: How ‘Built for this moment’ theme relates to cooperativesOctober is Cooperative Month, and this year’s theme is “built for this moment.” Rocky Weber, president and general counsel of the Nebraska Cooperative Council, discussed the theme during a Pure Nebraska studio interview.1011Now · 28 Oct, 13:28

In this story: Nebraska Cooperative Council · Rocky Weber · Nebraska

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