Nebraska Cooperative Council

Defending, Protecting and Enhancing Nebraska’s Agricultural Cooperatives

Our Mission

We are a statewide, non-profit, non-partisan trade association representing agricultural cooperatives committed to defending, protecting, and enhancing the agricultural cooperative movement in Nebraska.

While our mission has undergone revisions since it was organized, the Council has remained steadfast to its basic thrust: to defend, protect, and enhance the agricultural cooperative movement through proactive programs in education, legislation, governmental affairs, communication, and regulatory issues.

Learn More

Upcoming Events

The Nebraska Cooperative Council was formed in the fall of 1945 after a small group of cooperative leaders throughout Nebraska came together to discuss the idea of organizing a trade association for agricultural cooperatives. To get more information and register for events, click the button below.
See All Events

College Credits for Cooperative Summer Interns in 2027

The Nebraska Cooperative Council, in conjunction with the University of Nebraska-Kearney, has developed a summer 2027 undergraduate college credit course: The Cooperative Business Model. This course will be offered exclusively to those undergraduates interning at agricultural cooperative members of the Nebraska Cooperative Council.

Linked here is a promotional flyer that contains more detailed course information.

In order to encourage broad participation by your summer interns and by our member cooperatives, the Nebraska Cooperative Council Education Foundation has agreed to provide scholarships to each qualified cooperative summer intern that cover 100% of the tuition and fees for these college credits.

2026 Annual Meeting

Wed, November 18, 2026
Kearney, Younes Conference Center North

2026 Director/Manager Workshop

Thur, November 19, 2026
Kearney, Younes Conference Center North

2026 Leadership Luncheon Series

Wed, December 9 & 16, 2026
Virtual

Director Certification Program Phases 3 and 4

Wed-Thur, January 6-7, 2027
Kearney, Younes Conference Center North

Director Growth Forum

Wed-Thur, January 6-7, 2027
Kearney, Younes Conference Center North

Board Leadership Seminar

Mon, March 1, 2027
Omaha, Hilton

Cooperative Intern Retreat

Thur, June 3, 2027
Younes Conference Center South

Why Are Co-ops Important?

Cooperatives are essential to Nebraska. These farmer-owned businesses help producers reduce costs, secure better prices, and manage market risks by pooling resources and leveraging collective bargaining power. Nebraska’s cooperative demonstrates how this collaborative model strengthens individual operations and supports the rural communities that form the backbone of the state’s agricultural economy.

Economic Powerhouse

Co-ops that are members of the Council account for $9 billion of economic activity yearly.

National Leadership

Nebraska’s cooperative strength is recognized nationally, ranking 3rd on the USDA’s list of co-ops.

Widespread Network

Cooperatives are providing goods, services, and jobs in over 400 locations across Nebraska.

Cost Savings

Cooperatives help Nebraska farmers reduce operational costs and improve their profitability.

More Resources

The Council brings together cooperatives with diverse business interests to create a unified voice in today’s complex economy, strengthening their collective impact through mutually beneficial relationships. By working together, member cooperatives can effectively influence legislation and regulations at both state and federal levels, either as a complete community or through targeted coalitions of similar businesses.

Government Relations

Nebraska Co-ops

Member Communications

Education