Andrew C. Iverson: Built for this moment: National Cooperative Month
October 23, 2026
Opinion
The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
During October, National Co-op Month, I wanted to highlight the exceptional work cooperatives perform in rural Wisconsin. Across the state, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) collaborates with cooperatives—businesses owned and managed by their members—to foster rural prosperity.
Consider these examples:
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Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative: Utilizing a $250,000 Value-Added Producer grant, they're increasing the supply of minimally processed vegetables in schools and childcare centers statewide.
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Westby Cooperative Creamery: With a nearly $15.5 million loan through USDA's Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan program and Security Financial Bank, they're expanding and modernizing their facilities, reducing cheese-making time from 16 hours to six hours.
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Timber Professionals Cooperative Enterprises (TPCE): Thanks to an $800,000 loan through USDA's Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan program, they're reopening and expanding a former sawmill in Tilleda.
In Fiscal Year 2026, USDA invested a substantial $121,454,400 in cooperatives through the Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee program. Here are some specific projects:
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Dairyland Power Cooperative: Securing loans totaling $33,871,000 and $65,296,000 for two transmission facility projects.
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Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative: Utilizing a $7,000,000 loan to construct 52 new miles, improve 27 miles of line, and make other system enhancements.
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West Wisconsin Telecom Cooperative: Deploying a fiber-to-the-premises network to provide high-speed internet with a $14,538 loan.
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CESA 10: Leveraging a $749,400 grant through USDA's Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants program to upgrade instructional technology and expand educational opportunities for rural communities.
Earlier this month, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins proclaimed the 62nd anniversary of National Cooperative Month, with the theme "Built for this Moment", chosen by the National Cooperative Business Association. This theme celebrates:
- Electric co-ops delivering essential infrastructure to rural America.
- Food co-ops supporting local farmers and agricultural producers.
- Housing co-ops promoting lasting affordability.
- Worker co-ops preserving local businesses.
It also underscores cooperatives as resilient networks, tirelessly working to support their communities.
Cooperatives are powerful engines of economic growth, not only in Wisconsin but across the nation. Nationwide, over 30,000 cooperatives—including food, grocery, worker, retail, purchasing, utility, housing, and financial cooperatives—support over 2.5 million jobs and generate approximately $650 billion in annual revenue.