Celebrating Co-Op Month: The Legacy of Premier Companies

The Future is Cooperative, the theme for Co-Op Month 2024, embodies perfectly where this member-owned and member-controlled business model is headed. And, since 1927, Premier Companies has helped to define exactly what this means to a community’s opportunities for economic growth and job creation.

Premier Companies: A Historical Perspective

A quick web search can provide any reader with a basic overview of what Co-op Month is, but to really understand its value, meaning, and the true heart of Co-ops, you’ll need to hear more from someone who has lived it for decades. Harold Cooper, CEO of Premier Companies, shares how a career in the cooperative system can be incredibly rewarding, and gives us a glimpse into the history of Premier Companies.

The Impact of Premier on Local Communities

Cooperatives around the world, including Premier Companies, embody values of democratic control, economic participation, and a commitment to the community. That’s why one of Premier’s four business imperatives is to strive to have a farmer-owned choice in every market, every geography. Harold is passionate about ensuring that farmers experience the power and protections of owning and controlling a segment of the distribution channel. These principals ensure the distribution channel remains competitive and first considers the needs of the farmer.
During the COVID lockdown, supply disruptions were felt across all business models. A lesser-realized example was that of row crop herbicides originating off-shore used by local farmers. Supplies were scarce and some prices were unknown. Premier, through the shared efforts of WinField United (a regional cooperative), took the risk to own the product, even without price, to create certainty that farmers would have access to the needed herbicides. This move ensured that farmers could protect their crops from weeds, insects, and disease, later ensuring they were able to harvest and provide much needed food to our population. Spend a little more time with Harold as he shares more examples of the benefits and impact of Cooperatives in this informative interview.

Support Local Cooperatives

According to the USDA, more than 30,000 Cooperatives exist nationwide, tending to various sectors of the economy such as food, grocery, retail, purchasing, utility, and financial. By pooling resources and sharing risks, Cooperatives empower members to achieve their goals that might otherwise be unattainable. At Premier, we understand these common goals, and our Promise, Values, Mission, and Vision work together to support the local farmer and community in a way that is mutually beneficial. Enhancing the success of our member-customers by ensuring a premier source of supplies, services, and marketing at equitable and competitive prices – is what a Cooperative is all about.

Ready to join your fellow farmers and leverage the power of unity? Visit Premier Companies today and learn how.