History of Iowa Institute for Cooperatives

THE IOWA INSTITUTE FOR COOPERATIVES: LIGHTING THE WAY SINCE 1951

To stay competitive in today’s economy, your cooperative’s future depends on your ability to manage change, recognize threats, evaluate opportunities, and promote efficiencies in your operation.

Since 1951, the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives (IIC) in Ames has helped cooperatives throughout the state prepare for the dynamic changes that continue to reshape the economic landscape. We understand the key issues facing cooperatives today in a variety of industries, including agriculture, credit unions, rural electricity, rural telephone service, farm credit, petroleum, consumer goods and services, and more.

In addition to promoting cooperation among our members to reach common goals, we offer a number of valuable resources, including:

  • Education and training. We provide director training, local cooperative member education programs, an IIC annual meeting, and special programs on current issues.
  • Legislative support. Through our network of legislative contacts, our lobbyists monitor legislative and regulatory activities to protect your interests.
  • News updates. To keep you informed, we provide a newsletter, a weekly legislative update, and timely updates on critical issues.
  • Special projects. Whether you need help with long-range planning, cooperative benchmarking, feasibility studies, or other projects, the IIC provides a wealth of resources, whether you’re an existing co-op or you’re interested in forming a new cooperative.

We invite you to contact us!