About Us

Mississippi Association of Cooperatives

Cooperatives serve members by helping them to help themselves.

Introduction to the Mississippi Association of Cooperatives

The Mississippi Association of Cooperatives (MAC) was established in 1972 as an affiliate of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund (1967). A nonprofit organization, MAC serves farmers, their families and communities in increasing their livelihood security and improving quality of life. Building from a tradition steeped in the Civil Rights Movement, MAC provides technical assistance and advocates for the needs of its members in the areas of cooperative development and networking, sustainable production, marketing and community food security. MAC is the parent organization of the Mississippi Center for Cooperative Development.

MAC member organizations include ten cooperatives, two credit unions and two associated organizations (see table). These community-based groups are located across the state. Those involved in agriculture utilize diverse production and marketing strategies. Popular crops include watermelon, southern peas, okra, leafy greens and sweet potatoes, among others. Member organizations market their goods through a wide variety of avenues such as direct sales, farmers markets, grocery stores and food distributors/food service providers.

Member Organizations of the Mississippi Association of Cooperatives

Beat Four Farm Cooperative – Macon

Family Farmers Cooperative – Waterford

Indian Springs Farmers Association – Petal

*Mileston Farmers Cooperative – Tchula

North Bolivar Community Development Corporation – Mound Bayou

North Delta Produce Growers Association – Marks

**Quitman County Community Development Organization – Marks

(First Delta Federal Credit Union)

*Sweet Potato Growers Association – Mound Bayou

Winston County Self Help Livestock Association – Louisville

East Central Federal Credit Union – Louisville

**Bogue Chitto/Lincoln County Redevelopment and Restoration Corp.– Bogue Chitto

South Rankin County Farmers Association - Star

**Associate member *Inactive

Green, J.J. & D.H. Lovell. 2003. Cooperative Community Food Security: Evaluation of the Mississippi Association of Cooperatives and Member Organizations. Cleveland, MS: Institute for Community-Based Research.

Contact Information

Mississippi Association of Cooperatives

PO Box 22786

Jackson, MS 39225

Phone: (601) 354-2750

Fax: (601) 354-2777

Background

The Mississippi Association of Cooperatives, a nonprofit organization, was chartered in December 1972 to (1), administer, coordinate and supervise technical assistance, educational training and finiancial programs for member cooperatives of the Mississippi State.

Our Objectives

To facilitate the increase in economic viability of small and limited resource farmers through the development of successful marketing cooperatives;
To faciliate the preservation, rentention and sustainable development of the remaining land base owned by Black Farmers/Small Farmers in particular;
To advocate for public policy changes that enable family farmers, cooperative businesses, and rural people to improve their lives and communities; and
To maintain and support training and educational programs that will enhance the quality of life for rural residents.

Youth are encouraged to participate in cooperatives. They are given educational opportunities and training that contribute to them becoming productive adults and responsible citizens.

The Association’s membership consists of several cooperatives/credit unions and associate members located all across the state of Mississippi. Some are organized around the purchasing of agricultural inputs and the marketing of produce and livestock. Others operate housing rehabilitation projects, buying clubs, and credit unions.

Each member co-op is individually owned and controlled by its constituents members. The Association has a Board of Directors, elected by the members, that meets regularly, makes policy, exercises fiscal control and determines programmatic priorities.