Power of cooperative ownership

As America’s largest farmer-owned cooperative, the cooperative model and the strength it brings to local communities is the backbone of CHS. Every October, that model is celebrated as part of National Co-op Month, which aims to spread awareness about the benefits of being part of the cooperative system and the important role cooperatives play in their communities.

As farmers reflect on the last two years, the uncertainty of the markets, supply chain disruptions and high fertilizer costs have presented challenges to their operations. This year’s National Co-op Month theme, “Co-ops Build Economic Power,” serves as a reminder that local cooperatives help weather these dynamic business conditions through quality services, products and cooperative membership benefits.

Recently, Debbie Kulm, dryland wheat farmer and producer board member for CHS SunBasin Growers in eastern Washington, discussed how the farmer-first culture of the co-op benefits her family business.

“The cooperative structure allows farmers to have an impactful influence on operations,” she explains. “That’s an opportunity that doesn’t exist with private industry companies. With common goals, cooperatives and producers can work together to realize production efficiencies.”