What is a cooperative?
Whether you’re getting your first look at Southern States
Cooperative, or you grew up being one of our valued patrons, you
probably already know that we’re one of the nation’s largest
farmer-owned cooperatives.
Since its inception, the co-op has led research efforts in order
to make the business of farming pay better—in fact, it’s
why we were founded in the first place.
Southern States does what no one farmer can. Because it pools members’
resources, the co-op enables all its farmer-members to benefit from
greater research capabilities. That makes a difference for everyone—reducing
the costs of production agriculture helps keep America’s food
supply plentiful and affordable for all.
Since its beginning as Virginia Seed Service in 1923, Southern States
has been at the forefront of agricultural advances throughout its
80 years in business.
Some of the co-op’s earliest developments included developing
and testing new seed varieties that were adapted for specific geographic
regions. Today, Southern States is a member of CRF, a privately
owned animal nutrition research group, and FFR, which specializes
in forage seed-breeding. Both are the largest organizations of their
type anywhere in the world. Through the decades, Southern States
has used the findings from its research arms to educate farmers
in new ideas and more efficient production methods.
As a result of its leadership role in agriculture, Southern States
has continued to expand and today encompasses some 1,200 retail
locations in 23 states. Owned by more than 300,000 farmers, the
cooperative purchases, manufactures or processes feed, seed, fertilizer,
farm supplies and fuel.
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