Cooperative value
Discover the benefits of owning and working with a cooperative
What is a cooperative?
Cooperatives are built on principles rooted in collaboration, democracy, economic participation and social responsibility. They are owned and governed by members who use their products, supplies or services, and they exist to provide value for their members. In a cooperative system, people come together to advocate for owners’ needs, increase buying power, access goods and services, and create economic opportunity.
Gain global market access
Through CHS, cooperative owners can take advantage of grain markets in 65 countries around the world to get the most value for their crops.
Leverage local expertise
With a deep understanding of the factors affecting your operation, local experts at your cooperative can suggest products and practices for optimal results.
The cooperative model is based on the concept of building strength by working together.
I think that the biggest opportunity that I've had so far, and the opportunity I'll have in the future, is just the ability to give a voice to the rural community.
We’re going to serve our owners, serve our patrons, provide them with the products and services they need. And at the end of the year when we’ve made money doing that, we’re going to give it back to them. I don't think there's a more respectable and a more sound, solid, constructed business model than that out there.
I am very proud to work for a co-op because even though CHS is a worldwide company, they make every business unit feel very local … Everyone that works here at CHS has the same goal and that is to provide the customer with everything they need to have a successful year.
Benefits of cooperative ownership
Gain global market access
Raise your voice
Leverage local expertise
Earn patronage and equity
Help communities thrive
Tap into a global supply chain
Benefit from long-term thinking
Gain global market access
Through CHS, cooperative owners can take advantage of grain markets in 65 countries around the world to get the most value for their crops. A system that tracks grain and byproducts from the farm to the customer benefits everyone.
TEMCO growth offers greater access to global grain markets
By investing in the growing TEMCO export joint venture, CHS is giving farmers more opportunities to move their grains and oilseeds to customers around the world.
Meeting the growing demand for soy oil
As global demand for lower-carbon fuels like renewable diesel grows, cooperative owners will benefit from opportunities made possible by increased CHS soy crush and refining capacity and expanded CHS export capabilities.
Industry collaboration opens doors to new markets
Ardent Mills, a joint venture between CHS, Cargill and Conagra Brands helps farmers find new grain market opportunities.
Raise your voice
Being part of the cooperative system means your voice is heard within the cooperative as decisions are made and it’s amplified in Washington, D.C., and at the state and local level so the needs of farmers, ranchers and rural communities are understood.
As part of a cooperative board, you know the decisions you are making are going to happen. When you have the fiduciary duty to pay attention to members’ money, you feel very strongly about how you are representing that and what you’re doing to make a good return on an investment.
Leverage local expertise
No one knows the challenges you face better than your local cooperative team. With a deep understanding of the factors affecting your business and your goals, your cooperative team can suggest the right products and practices for optimal results.
Using insecticide in our winter wheat seed treatment has provided important early protection for wheat seedings in the fall. Five years ago, we started using STI Customized blended seed treatments through CHS Big Sky. The flexibility has been valuable, especially when grasshopper populations exploded.
Earn patronage and equity
Patronage and member equity are fundamental benefits of cooperative ownership.
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Determined by the cooperative
Each cooperative creates its own patronage system, set by its board of directors and carried out by management. Regular review of patronage policies ensures they add value for owners and support the cooperative’s business strategies. -
Recognizes business performance
Patronage is based on three things:
- Adjusted earnings before taxes
- Owner business volume
- Cooperative patronage and equity policies
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Fuels growth for farmer-owners and co-ops
Cooperative decisions about patronage and equity deliver value for owners and fuel long-term cooperative growth. When a cooperative board calculates patronage, it also determines what portion will be retained as member equity in the organization. That equity is a key source of capital for cooperative maintenance and growth.
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Provides for cash patronage and/or equity
Cooperatives determine how to distribute patronage and/or equity to owners after the close of each fiscal year. When planned distributions of cash patronage and redeemed equity are complete in 2026, CHS will have returned nearly $2.6 billion to owners over the past five years.
Help communities thrive
Cooperatives bring strength to rural communities by providing jobs, building economic stability and supporting local services. Through the CHS Foundation and community giving programs, CHS is committed to developing the next generation of ag leaders and elevating the CHS values of safety and cooperative spirit. CHS also provides learning and development opportunities for cooperative employees and helps member cooperatives connect with candidates looking for leadership roles in the cooperative system.
See how we strengthen hometown communities
Supporting students while filling an employment gap
A commercial driver’s license preparatory class at a Washington high school is giving students new employment possibilities and helping fill a need for drivers. This program and others like it are made possible in part by a CHS Seeds for Stewardship grant.
Educating students on ag biotech
To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the CHS Foundation awarded $75,000 in grants to teachers to bolster ag education programs at their respective schools. Learn more about how these teachers are helping to develop the next generation of ag and community leaders.
Advancing precision ag education
The CHS Foundation has committed more than $2.3 million since 2018 to support new and expanding precision agriculture programs at U.S. colleges and universities.
Increasing mental health awareness
CHS support helps cooperatives to offer training and resources that raise awareness about mental health in agriculture.
Tap into a global supply chain
As a cooperative owner, you are part of an extensive grain origination network that links your farming operation to world markets. And you benefit from a broad-based input system that harnesses the power of cooperative-owned refineries and growing agronomy resources to deliver inputs when and where you need them.
Strengthening the fertilizer supply chain
Improved infrastructure, from ports to terminals, is strengthening the fertilizer supply chain to give farmers a more reliable crop input supply.
Benefit from long-term thinking
Looking for the next right answer is central to the cooperative model. That balance drives cooperatives to look for more efficient ways to do business with an eye to long-term success and value. Cooperative ownership lets you lean on a global network of experts and advocates, so you can focus on your business.
Advances in agronomy technology
CHS is optimizing its agronomy fleet to better serve cooperative customers by investing in digital connections to reduce downtime and improve efficiency.
Transforming the trucking industry
CHS helps producers and fleet operators understand the rapidly changing energy industry as the push to reduce emissions continues.
Cooperative Ventures announces first investment in ag startup
Cooperative Ventures, a $50 million venture capital fund started by CHS and Growmark, has invested in a company developing autonomous tractor technology for row-crop farmers.
Powering vehicles with propane autogas
As stricter EPA emissions standards focus on carbon cutting, propane engine technology provides a solution for fleet operators. Learn how a local co-op is helping fleet operators convert to cleaner fuel.