Farm Cooperative Organizations Key Terms

Farm cooperative organizations share some of the latest farming information

By Lydia Block

Many states have farm cooperatives. These can include dairy farming, organic farming and special organizations for specific farm products. The government legislates and regulates these cooperatives. The public can get a great deal of information about these cooperatives through sites that tell consumers where to find equipment, and other sites that are rich in information about the farming industry and the history of cooperatives. The cooperatives themselves can focus on organic farming, grain crops or dairy farming. Since these cooperatives are typically made up of small farms, the information that is made available is especially helpful. There is also regional information available.

Farm Service Cooperative

The Farm Service Cooperative, in conjunction with the Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company, work together in the grain industry.
Try: The site of the Farm Service Cooperative describes its collaborative effort in the grain industry. The site describes this industry and what is involved in the production of grain.

The Organic Trade Association

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) promotes organic products and is a membership organization for those who produce them at the farmer and supplier levels. OTA focuses on the growing organic trade and views it vital to the sustainability of the environment and the economy.
Try: The site of the Organic Trade Association is packed with information, news and the opportunity to join.

The Northeast Organic Farming Association

The Northeast Organic Farming Association is made up of seven states in the Northeastern part of the United States. These include Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Try: This site of the Northeast Organic Farming Association links to each state and also links to representatives in each state that are consultants to farmers who are practicing organic farming.

The U.S. Dairy Export Council

The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) is a non-profit, independent membership organization. This group works for those in the dairy industry who export their products. There is great demand in other parts of the world for US dairy products.
Try: This site of the U.S. Dairy Export Council provides an international perspective for those in the export business. It is tied into the US Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service.

Crop Life America

This large organization is the trade organization for the development of nearly all of the products used to protect crops. This group works on everything from formulation of the product to production.
Try: One valuable use of the Crop Life America site is that it reports up to the minute news regarding their activities and products.

Local Harvest

Community supported agriculture brings together the farmer and the consumer so that farmers have sources to sell their products and consumers have sources to buy them from.
Try: The Local Harvest site gives very specific information about how farmers can connect with consumers. There are many advantages of this group including allowing farmers to market products early in the season and for consumers to rely on fresh produce availability.