Federation of Southern Cooperatives
Land Assistance Fund

     The cooperative way of doing things should be used in as many parts of community life as possible. 

     When things are bought, they should be bought cooperatively. When things are sold, they should be sold through cooperatives. When people need credit they should solve this problem with a credit union 

     Co-ops can answer almost any need that people have. Co-ops have been organized to provide health care; other co-ops have been organized to construct low-income housing; others are insurance and funeral co-ops to name a few. 

     The cooperative way of doing things should be used in as many parts of community life as possible. 

     When things are bought, they should be bought cooperatively. When things are sold, they should be sold through cooperatives. When people need credit they should solve this problem with a credit union 

A Marketing co-op can be the most important part of a farmer’s business. When the farmer markets vegetables on his own, he is at the mercy of the buyer. The buyer will give the farmer the lowest price possible, which means greater profits for the buyer. 

     By joining together in a co-op, farmers have a way to market their vegetable crops at the highest price possible. 

     This means that the co-op can bargain for a better price because it has the strength of many farmers behind it. 

     Marketing co-ops also show the farmer new crops that he can grow year round. This can provide the farmer with a year round income. 

     Farm marketing co-ops also provide members with seed fertilizer and their farm needs at big savings. 

A cooperative should expand to provide more than one service to its members. 

     For example, a marketing co-op can also set up a credit union. A small deduction can be made from the farmers produce check to go into his savings account. 

     Many members of low-income co-ops need better housing. Since co-ops are people who are organized to solve their own problems, the co-op can help people make applications to the government for housing needs. 

     The Board of Directors should think of ways to help serve the needs of the community. The cooperative can help provide day care centers and recreational programs.