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Grain bins beside a railroad track under a cloudy blue sky
Farmer and cooperative owners would tell their younger selves, among other things, to get involved in the cooperative system early in their farming careers.
Cooperative spirit

Words of wisdom for the next generation of farmers

CHS owners provide advice to their younger selves about the cooperative system.
Matthew Wilde
Oct 30, 2025

Have you ever wished you could go back in time and give yourself advice?

Recently, several CHS owners were asked what advice they would give their 25-year-old selves about being part of a cooperative. Here are their responses:

  • “You should be involved in the cooperative system because there's a future there for you, because you can do business there. And in the future, you'll get some returns because you own part of the business.” 
  • “The co-op system, I feel, brings the greatest value back to the farmer. To be involved in that you get to participate in the governance. You also get to participate in the profitability of the co-op, through patronage and dividends. So, I think the global reach that we have out into the world … extends our reach on the farm into the global economy.” 
  • “I think if you look in the future, being involved in the cooperative system allows you to be in ownership and have a say in the company. So really, you have further added value to your operation around where your products go and where you get your supplies from. You've got control over that and a voice in that operation.”
  • “It would be about the lifestyle; the way of life and the opportunities that are available. And again, it goes back to, you don't have to come from an ag background to be involved in agriculture. Embrace opportunities and see where your journey could take you through with the cooperative system with so many different avenues.” 

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