Four Iowa State University students enrolled in Economics 332/Cooperatives attended a recent conference on cooperatives in Minneapolis Minnesota, sponsored by National Farmers Union (NFU). They joined more than 100 students from sixteen states and Canada to learn from experts across the country.

“The students found the conference to offer an eye-opening perspective on the important role cooperatives play in this country’s economy and worldwide,” said Keri Jacobs, assistant professor in the Department of Economics, who teaches Economics 332/Cooperatives. “They now have a better appreciation for the versatility of the cooperative structure, and the students recognize its potential in addressing many of the issues we face, like sustainability in agriculture and factor mobility and efficiency.”

To bring cooperative education to life for the participants, students visited CHS Inc. headquarters and heard from cooperative leaders, farmers, and government experts, who explained current challenges they face. In addition, participants toured housing,retail, and marketing cooperatives in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Presenters ranged from members, directors, employees and managers of traditional and value-added agricultural cooperatives, speaking on electric, housing, and worker-owned co-ops, as well as consumer cooperatives such as credit unions, REI, and natural foods co-ops. Representatives offered insights on cooperative development here and abroad, including efforts involving the Peace Corps and the Minnesota National Guard which completed a mission to Afghanistan to work with farmers and their cooperatives.

Melissa Abrahamson, a junior at Iowa State, majoring in ag business said, “I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone curious or interested in learning/working with a cooperative. I grew up only knowing that co-ops were agricultural related and didn't know that there so many others types, and we had the chance to see that through the tours. I also took with me a broad overview of all the different positions offered by co-ops.”

The event was sponsored by the CHS Foundation, CoBank, Farmers Union Industries Foundation, NFU Foundation, SPIRE Federal Credit Union, CHS, Inc., Minnesota Cooperative Education Foundation, Federated Youth Foundation, and Organic Valley.

Roger Johnson, president of National Farmers Union said, “Farmers Union's activities involve cooperation, education, and advocacy, so it’s incredibly valuable to have events like this to help bring those topics together. We have a strong commitment to providing cooperative education not only to our own members, but also to the general public, and especially to young people, many of whom are just learning about the cooperative way of doing business.”

Learn more about National Farmers Union at: www.nfu.org/education.

Photo identification: Bottom Row (left to right): Jordan Nankivil, Sr. An Sci; Gina Nichols, Grad Student, Agron

Top Row (left to right): Nai-Se Li, Grad student, JL MC; Matthew Fincham, Agron, Melissa Abrahamson, Jr. Ag Bus

Ron Prescott, ISU Extension and Outreach, and small business and retail specialist with the Department of Economics, says that both consumers and retailers are starting to feel the impact of the recent Fiscal Cliff federal tax laws. Read Prescott's recent news release here.