Established in 1946, the Minnesota Association of Cooperatives (MAC) is the one statewide organization that represents all Minnesota’s cooperatives. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., MAC is involved in lobbying, education, public relations and technical services for a wide variety of cooperatives, including farm supply, health care, dairy marketing, consumer, credit union, livestock marketing, farm credit, electric, housing, insurance and more.

Cooperatives are an important contributor to the economy in Minnesota, with approximately 1,000 cooperatives operating in the state. In fact, Minnesota leads the nation in total number and breadth of cooperatives businesses. Each cooperative business is unique, yet similar, in that they all abide by cooperative principles.

MAC’s mission is to be the leading voice for the diverse and expanding cooperative community doing business in Minnesota. Through MAC, cooperatives of all types are able to accomplish goals they could not otherwise achieve on their own. MAC delivers quality services and programs in areas such as governmental affairs, communications, and education.

In 2004, MAC members voted overwhelmingly in favor of a formal unification with the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives (WFC). Today, WFC/MAC represents approximately 400 cooperatives operating in the two states. The organizations share joint staffing, program ideas, education offerings and host a joint annual meeting each November.

MAC welcomes all cooperatives doing business in Minnesota to join. For more membership information or to schedule a visit by MAC staff to your cooperatives, please contact Amy Fredregill by calling (651) 228-0213 or .