The first cooperative was formed in 1844 in Rochdale, England by a group of weavers. The Rochdale Pioneers founded their cooperative on valued principles and today all cooperatives are guided by those same ideas.

• ​Voluntary and Open Membership
  
• Democratic Member Control
• Members' Economic Participation
• Autonomy and Independence
• Education, Training, and Information
• Cooperation Among Cooperatives
• Concern for Community

Cooperatives are present in all facets of our lives. A few cooperatives with familiar names are Prairie Farms, Sunkist, Blue Diamond Almonds, Ocean Spray, Sun Maid Raisins, C & H Sugar, Land O'Lakes, and Welch's. 

Agricultural cooperatives partner with producers to improve productivity and offer premium products and services. Agricultural cooperatives perform at a level comparable to large corporations but do so while maintaining a close personal relationship with their customers and improving the local economy. Co-ops proudly deliver value to their community and their members.