F E A T U R E S

Finding a niche
Dakota Growers Pasta co-op finds succes in a highly competitive market
by Michael Boland and David Barton



Turmoil of early 20th century led to USDA role in assisting co-ops
by Patrick Duffey



USDA's expanding cooperative development assistance role
by John Wells



Significance of the Cooperative Marketing Act's other key provisions
by Randall E. Torgerson



Research and technical assistance work are heart of Cooperative Services mission
by John Dunn



Statistics show cooperative status, progress and trends
by John Dunn



USDA's commitment to cooperative education
by James Wadsworth



African village banks project shows renewed emphasis on international co-op development
by James Haskell




D E P A R T M E N T S
Commentary
Management Tip
Newsline

On the Cover
The Cooperative Marketing Act, which marked its 75th "birthday" in early July, forms the legal foundation for USDA's Coopeative Services program. A series of articiles describing the work of the agency and how it impacts cooperatives begins on page 9 of this issue. USDA arachive photos

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Ann Veneman, Secretary of Agriculture
Randall Torgerson, Deputy Administrator, USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Dan Campbell, Managing Editor
Vision 2000/KOTA, Design

Have a cooperative-related question?
Call (202) 720-6483, or
Fax (202) 720-4641, Information Director


RURAL COOPERATIVES (1088-8845) is published bimonthly by Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Stop 0705, Washington, DC. 20250-0705 The Secretary of Agriculture has determined that publication of this periodical is necessary in the transaction of public business required by law of the Department. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, DC. and additional mailing offices. Copies may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, 20402, at $3.50 domestic, $4.38 foreign; or by annual subscription at $15.00 domestic, $18.75 foreign. Postmaster: send address change to: Rural Cooperatives, USDA/RBS, Stop 3255, Wash., DC 20250-3255. order form

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