F E A T U R E S


Bulking up
Co-ops continue trade recovery, paced by bulk goods
By Tracey L. Kennedy


Rising to the top
Small Wisconsin specialty dairy co-ops finding new niche markets
By Pamela J. Karg


Heavy debt pulls Farmland into Chapter 11;
new CEO Terry leads reorganization effort

By Patrick Duffey

Closing the gap
Utility co-ops see broadband service as way to preserve rural communities
By Steve Thompson

Rural survivors
Can value-added agriculture save struggling rural communities?
Congress hopes USDA grant program will provide needed stimulus

By Dan Campbell

Storm shelter
Utility co-ops, USDA working to spread Weather Radio coverage
By Steve Thompson

Delivering value to members
Welch’s CEO says National Grape members reap benefits from
efforts to expand markets, develop new products

By Dan Dillon

Unstable farm markets prompt more growers to look to bargaining co-ops
By Dan Campbell, editor

Bio-based,renewable energy products
featured at USDA Earth Day event




DEPARTMENTS

COMMENTARY
MANAGEMENT TIP
NEWSLINE


On the Cover:
Bottles of Welch’s fruit punch whirl past the watchful eyes of an inspector in a
bottling plant in North East, Pa. CEO Dan Dillon discusses how Welch’s adds
long-term value to the crops harvested by members of National Grape
Cooperative, beginning on page 22. Photos courtesy Welch’s




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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