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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has declared October 2024 as the Department’s 60th National Cooperative Month anniversary. Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has allocated over $17 billion in loans and grants to support rural cooperatives for economic development and equity promotion.
Cooperatives are integral to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, playing a vital role in building local wealth and creating opportunities in rural communities. This year’s theme, “The Future is Cooperative,” recognizes the important contributions cooperatives make to clean energy, economic growth, and improved quality of life in rural America.
With over 30,000 cooperatives in the U.S. generating more than $700 billion in annual revenue and providing over 2 million jobs, USDA has been supporting farmer cooperatives for nearly a century. Recently, President Biden announced over $7.3 billion in financing for rural electric cooperatives for clean energy initiatives through the Empowering Rural America program, marking the largest investment in rural electrification since the 1936 Rural Electrification Act.
Throughout National Cooperative Month, USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden will speak at the National Cooperative Business Association’s Cooperative IMPACT Conference, highlighting the economic opportunities and community strength cooperatives bring across the nation.
Cooperatives are democratically owned businesses that prioritize member benefits over profits. They are a resilient business model that fosters local wealth and community development. USDA Rural Development offers financial assistance and services to support rural businesses, including cooperatives.
In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is committed to transforming America’s food system, promoting fair markets for producers, ensuring food access, investing in rural infrastructure and clean energy, and advancing equity. To learn more about USDA programs and updates, visit www.usda.gov.
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# USDA is dedicated to providing equal opportunities as a provider, employer, and lender.
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Sophie Müller completed her studies at ETH Zurich in Switzerland, earning a degree in Environmental Sciences with a concentration in agroecology. Her research explored the interactions between crops and their environment, particularly in relation to organic farming systems. Sophie is now a research scientist, focusing on agroecological practices that promote biodiversity and reduce environmental impact in agriculture.
