2026 Cooperative Leadership Award
The Virginia Cooperative Council (VCC) is proud to announce that Sam Liggett of Rockingham Cooperative has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Cooperative Leadership Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the cooperative community, agriculture, and rural Virginia throughout a distinguished 41-year career.
Established in 1976, the Cooperative Leadership Award recognizes cooperative educators, employees, and leaders who have consistently advanced the success of cooperatives in Virginia and whose career contributions merit statewide recognition. [virginia.coop]
Liggett was honored during the Virginia Cooperative Council's annual Co-op Month Breakfast on September 30 at Southside Virginia Community College's Workforce Development Center in Alberta.
Throughout his career with Rockingham Cooperative, Liggett has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the cooperative business model and the communities it serves. His leadership, service, and dedication to cooperative principles have left a lasting impact on countless producers, youth organizations, and fellow cooperative leaders across the Commonwealth.
Among the many accomplishments highlighted in his nomination was his steadfast support of local 4-H and FFA programs throughout the communities served by Rockingham Cooperative. Liggett has long recognized the importance of investing in young people and has consistently supported opportunities that help develop the next generation of agricultural and cooperative leaders.
Liggett has also been a dedicated supporter of the Virginia Institute on Cooperative Education (VICE), helping provide scholarship funding each year to allow students to participate in the program and learn more about the cooperative business model. His commitment to cooperative education extends beyond financial support, as both of his sons participated in the program, reflecting the family's belief in the importance of cooperative leadership and learning.
In addition, Liggett played a key role in establishing Rockingham Cooperative's"Pork for the Pantry" initiative. The program creates a meaningful connection between youth livestock producers and local families facing food insecurity by providing high-quality pork donations to community food assistance efforts. The initiative exemplifies the cooperative principles of concern for community and cooperation among stakeholders while supporting both local agriculture and residents in need.
"Sam Liggett's career reflects the very best of the cooperative spirit," said the Virginia Cooperative Council. "His commitment to cooperative values, agricultural education, youth development, and community service has strengthened not only Rockingham Cooperative but the broader cooperative community across Virginia. We are honored to recognize his lifetime of achievement."
Liggett joins a distinguished list of Cooperative Leadership Award recipients whose leadership and service have helped advance cooperatives throughout Virginia.
The Virginia Cooperative Council congratulates Sam Liggett on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his decades of service, leadership, and dedication to the cooperative movement.
