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Cooperatives Program

The mission of Cooperative Services Program is to promote understanding and use of the cooperative form of business as a viable organizational option for marketing and distributing agricultural products.

We serve cooperative members, directors, management, educational institutions, organizations, rural residents, and all others with an interest in the cooperative form of business.

We strive to assist them to effectively use cooperatives to improve their economic well-being and quality of life.


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Spotlights




REIC 2009 Notice of Request for Proposals
VAPG 2009 Notice of Funds Availability Republication
SSDPG 2009 Notice of Funds Availability
RCDG 2009 Notice Of Funds Availability



USDA Rural Development Renewable Energy

The development of renewable energy industries can be the catalyst that leads to an economic renaissance in rural America. USDA Rural Development is helping to achieve this transformation by funding the development and commercialization of renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, geothermal, hydrogen, biomass and biofuel. By making renewable energy sources commercially viable, USDA Rural Development is creating lasting avenues for wealth, new jobs and increased economic opportunities in rural communities.

USDA Rural Development has commissioned several studies to describe the current and future state of the renewable energy industries, and public and private strategies for dealing with the constraints, challenges and opportunities that will emerge as the renewable energy sector grows. These studies are summarized below:

Overcoming Constraints to Rapid Growth in the Bio-Fuels Industry

Business Models for Ethanol and Renewable Energy

Models for Funneling Investments to Local Communities

Linking Distributed Electricity Production from Alternative Energy Sources to the Traditional Generation and Transmission System


Cooperatives Program State Resource Map



For your convenience we have provided a Cooperatives Program State Resource Map. The map provides links to valuable resources available in your local area.

The direct URL to access the map is http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/map2.htm or you may link to the webpage by the right menu above - State Resources, then State Resources Map.





Rural Cooperative Magazine

    This magazine is published every other month and focuses on cooperatives and issues facing cooperatives.

Rural Cooperative Magazine

Latest Issue: November/December 2009

What Cooperatives Are (and Aren't)
Economist say co-ops represent the aggregates of economic unity
By Charles Ling

Storm Shelter
Dairy co-ops strive to help members survive severe market downturn
By Dan Campbell

Banking on the Future
U.S. farm credit co-op model paying dividends in America
By Pamela F. Karg

Identity Heft, Part II
Land O'Lakes freshens image with new co-op brand identity, logo and tagline

Marginal Land Tapped for Biofuels
New York land bank co-op could be first of its kind
By Anne Todd






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