Carl Casale formerly led CHS Inc., the largest member-owned agricultural cooperative in the United States. In his work with CHS Inc., Carl Casale helmed a company committed to “farmer-first” values that dedicated itself to the success of workers in the sector.

1. How Agricultural
Cooperatives
Benefit Farmers
Carl Casale

2. Introduction
Carl Casale formerly led CHS Inc., the largest member-owned
agricultural cooperative in the United States. In his work with CHS
Inc., Carl Casale helmed a company committed to “farmer-first”
values that dedicated itself to the success of workers in the sector.
An agricultural cooperative is a group owned by member farmers
that works collectively to supply the farming community with the
products and services necessary to successfully operate. It also
allows farmers to work collaboratively to market and sell products at
a rate and scale that increases the likelihood of product sales.
Mass collaboration also allows members to have access to services,
tools, and goods crucial to farm operations that they may not have
been able to afford independently.

3. Agricultural Cooperatives
It is especially important for owners of middle-sized farms, who
cannot subsist solely off of sales at farmer’s markets, but who
lack the resources to sell at the level of their large-scale
counterparts.
Since farmers own the cooperatives, they have a direct hand in
operations, rather than leaving its fate to investors who are not
part of the agriculture sector. This provides some financial
security by ensuring all members receive a share of the profits
when the larger cooperative is successful.