News – Virginia Cooperative Council

2023 Award Winners

Longtime Rockingham Cooperative CEO Norman Wenger, who retired earlier this year, received the Cooperative Leadership Award at this year’s Co-op Month Breakfast on October 4. Dairy Thomas French received the Young Cooperator Award and a $500 award, which he plans to use at Rockigham Cooperative! Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative CEO John Lee, who will be serving as interim CEO of the power supply cooperative Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, gave an inspiring address.

300+ Area Students attend Co-op Expo on Oct 4 at Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex

More than 300 students in grades 6-12 from Henry, Pittsylvania and surrounding counties attended the Co-op Expo from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4. Many thanks to the dozen co-op members who provided great giveaways while educating young Virginians about the cooperative business model, and to our state FFA officers who led students in a workshop to develop leadership qualities!

Council Elects New Leaders, Gears up for Virginia Institute on Cooperative Education

During the Council’s 61st Annual Meeting, members elected Gerald Anderson, Mike Cannon, Laura Jackson and Adam Shiflett to three-year terms on the Council board. VDACS Commissioner Joe Guthrie gave a wonderful presentation and answered several questions from attendees. Before attendees departed for a tour of Friendly City Food Cooperative, the board elected Adam Shiflett as president, Adam Ford as Vice President and Jessica Harris as Secretary.

Rockingham Cooperative to host March 2, 2023 Annual Meeting

Joe Guthrie, Commissioner of the Virginia Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, will be keynote speaker for our 61st Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 2, 2023 beginning at 9 a.m. This event is free to all members and guests, with an optional tour of Friendly City Food Cooperative to follow. RSVPs are requested by Feb. 27 to mary.howell@sscoop.com. Please specify if you wish to stay for the tour as well; lunch will be provided for up to 30 attendees.

Virginia Institute on Cooperative Education applications accepted through Feb. 15, 2023

Now’s the time for students 16-19 (grades 11 & 12) to decide which Virginia cooperative they want to profile as part of their 2023 VICE application. Scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,500 will be available to participants who attend the March 24-26, 2023 VICE.

Graves and White Honored at Sept. 30 Co-op Month Breakfast

Jimmy Graves and Greg White were honored with Career Cooperative Leadership Awards at the Co-op Month Breakfast, held Sept. 30 at The Place in Glen Allen. Keynote speaker Thomas Beckett of Carolina Common Enterprise shared his efforts to help launch and support new cooperatives in North Carolina.

2023 Virginia Institute on Cooperative Education applications accepted through Feb. 15, 2023

Now’s the time for students 16-19 (currently in grades 11 & 12) to decide which Virginia cooperative to profile as part of their 2023 VICE application. Scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,500 will be available to participants who attend the March 24-26, 2023 VICE.

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