Rural friends and fellow co-op owners,

In all likelihood, a real high percentage of you as rural friends, are also members and owners of one, or many more, cooperatives. It wouldn't surprise me if rural participation in co-ops approaches 100 percent. October is 'Cooperative Month', and we have lots to celebrate and consider in North Dakota. USDA Rural Development has been a proud partner of the successful 'self help' idea of cooperative business that believes in the power of taking ownership and taking responsibility for the life we build in rural North Dakota. We do this with supportive loan, grant and guarantee programs for rural electric, telephone and water systems, as well as the businesses and entities that supply our rural reaches with the supplies and marketing outlets we need. It makes me think of the phrase 'count your blessings', and we have many. In the rural place where I ranch, I also 'count my cooperatives' that have blessed our quality of life. I tallied up 10 co-ops owned and used by my family. I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the cooperative employees for their dedication and hard work to provide us with valuable services. Enjoy your month, and enjoy the benefits of cooperative ownership.