USDA recently released its annual report on cooperatives, saying the nation’s top 100 co-ops again set a record for net income in 2015. USDA says Iowa has more co-ops than any other state. As a member of my local co-op, I’d like you to please explain this report.

Answer: Net income for the nation's agricultural cooperatives soared by 14% last year, according to data released Oct. 5 by USDA. In its annual report on national cooperative business sales, USDA reported that the country's farmer, rancher and fishery co-ops posted record net income of $7 billion in 2015.

Co-ops designed to allow farmers to share in profits
"The cooperative business model continues to perform strongly," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. "While the model has long been one of the hallmarks of rural economies, its reach has greatly expanded to include almost every aspect of U.S. commerce. The latest data show cooperatives are a key to building stronger and more vital communities, particularly in rural areas."

Sam Rikkers, administrator of USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service announced the top 100 ag cooperatives at an Interagency Working Group on Cooperative Development meeting at the Department of Commerce. The group, led by USDA, was established to foster cooperative development and ensure coordination between federal agencies and national and local organizations.

Iowa has more co-ops than any other state, with 15
Again, this year's list shows Iowa is home to more top 100 co-ops than any other state, with 15. Iowa is followed by Minnesota with 11 and Nebraska with nine. California and Illinois each have six, while Wisconsin has five. Minnesota and California each gained a new co-op in the top 100 in 2015.

USDA says total business volume fell for the top 100 cooperatives, from $177 billion in 2014 to $149 billion in 2015. However, net income rose from $4.3 billion to $4.9 billion in 2015, an increase of 14%.

Minnesota-based CHS Inc. is nation’s largest co-op
CHS Inc., a fuel, grain and food cooperative based in Inver Grove Heights, Minn., remains the nation's largest cooperative in the U.S., with $34.7 billion in total business volume for 2015. Dairy Farmers of America, a milk marketing cooperative based in Kansas City, Mo., is in second place, with $13.9 billion in total revenue. Land O'Lakes, a dairy foods and farm supply co-op, based in Saint Paul, Minn., is third, with $13.1 billion in sales.

The biggest 'gainer' on the list from 2014 is Producers Livestock Marketing Association, based in Utah. It rose from 90th place in 2014 to 58th place.

Cooperatives help create vibrant rural communities
Co-ops big and small continue to play a key role in creating vibrant rural economies. In 2012-2013, the Montana Cooperative Development Center helped the Big Flat Market Cooperative steering committee with its incorporation process and business planning. The result of this hard work is the Big Flat Grocery store, now open in rural Montana near Canadian border.

The release of the co-op top 100 report comes as USDA celebrates National Cooperative Month throughout October. This year's theme is "Cooperatives Build." Sec. Vilsack kicked off the month-long celebration with an official proclamation.

USDA celebrates National Rural Cooperative Month
Since 2009 USDA Rural Development (@USDARD) has invested nearly $13 billion to start or expand nearly 112,000 rural businesses; helped bring high-speed Internet access to 6 million rural residents and businesses; helped 1.1 million rural residents buy homes; and funded 9,200 community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care facilities. USDA also has invested $31.3 billion in 963 electric projects that have financed more than 185,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines serving 4.6 million rural residents. For information, visit usda.gov/results.

To read more about USDA's investments in rural America and its successful turnaround, visit USDA's entry on Medium.com,

Rural America Is Back in Business.