You’re invited! The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is hosting the next public meeting of the Interagency Working Group on Cooperative Development on Wednesday, September 30 from 2-4 p.m. EDT. The free virtual meeting will highlight the history, resilience and continued impact of agricultural cooperatives that have operated for more than 100 years.
Moderated by Dr. Jaye Hamby, Director of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the meeting will feature a panel discussion called, “Centennial Success: Celebrating Agricultural Cooperatives Over 100 Years Old.” Cooperative leaders will discuss how their organizations have navigated changing markets and challenges over multiple generations while continuing to serve their members and communities.
Panelists will represent Jackson Farmers, Westby Creamery and Sioux Honey Association Co-op, alongside USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
The meeting will also include a Federal Partners Roundtable featuring staff from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Rural Development’s Cooperative Services Branch. Federal partners will discuss programs and resources available to support cooperative development and how cooperatives and communities can access assistance.
The Interagency Working Group on Cooperative Development brings together federal agencies and cooperative stakeholders to strengthen coordination, share resources and advance cooperative development across sectors.
The September 30 meeting is free, virtual and open to the public.