Founded in 1962, the mission of the Virginia Council of Farmer Cooperatives is to promote the understanding of the history, purpose, services and bright future of farmer and consumer-owned cooperatives in the Commonwealth and their major contributions to the state economy.
The not-for-profit Council strives to accomplish its mission through educational programs aimed at the general public and especially at young persons. The Council works closely with the state's land-grant universities, Virginia Tech and Virginia State, 4-H and FFA programs in these efforts.
Members of the Council include a variety of cooperative businesses and organizations including farm supply cooperatives; electric and telephone cooperatives; Farm Credit Associations; commodity groups and marketing cooperatives.
Board Of Directors
| Representing Marketing Cooperatives | |
|---|---|
| Dale A. Gardner | Virginia State Dairymen's Association |
| Carl Privett | MD & VA Milk Producers Cooperative |
| Representing Purchasing Cooperatives | |
| Allen Melton | Southern States Cooperative, Inc. |
| Kevin McLaren | Augusta Cooperative - Farm Bureau |
| Dave Durr | Culpeper Farmers' Cooperative, Inc. |
| Representing Service Cooperatives | |
| Ron Leathers | Farm Credit of the Virginias, A.C.A. |
| Brian Mosier | Mecklenberg Electric Cooperative |
| Representing Cooperatives At Large | |
| Jim Belfield | Colonial Farm Credit, A.C.A. |
| Jennifer Culbertson | Southern States Cooperative, Inc. |
| Richard Johnstone | Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives |
| Public Directors | |
| James Graves | Graves Mountain Lodge |
| Bette Brand | Farm Credit of the Virginias |
| Brian Wolfe | Rappahannock Electric Cooperative |
| Advisors | |
| Dr. Glenn Anderson | Specialist Ag. Education |
| Dr. Dixie Watts Reaves | Dept. of Ag. & Applied Economics |