USDA proclaims October 2026 as National Cooperative Month

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proclaimed October 2026 as the 62nd National Cooperative Month. USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins signed the official proclamation, adopting the theme ‘Built for this Moment,’ a selection made by the National Cooperative Business Association.

The designation highlights the role of cooperatives in driving economic growth and supporting rural infrastructure. Under the current administration, the USDA has invested over $18.1 billion in loans and grants to support 242 cooperatives nationwide. These funds, distributed through Rural Development programs, aim to bolster job creation, electrical infrastructure, broadband access, and agricultural market connectivity.

The month-long celebration will focus on four primary cooperative sectors: electric cooperatives providing rural energy, food cooperatives connecting farmers to markets, housing cooperatives offering long-term affordability, and worker cooperatives helping to preserve local businesses.