The Cooperative Council of North Carolina started May 2, 1935 when a group of agricultural leaders in our state joined together to form an organization that would assist all involved agencies in efforts to contribute to the agricultural cooperative movement and other movements that would improve agricultural conditions in North Carolina. Founded on the heels of the Great Depression, it became vital to start an organization that would assist rural citizens and farmers, especially through the development of new cooperatives. Originally called the Farmers Cooperative Council of North Carolina, the “Farmers” name was later dropped. In its history, the Council has had a line of agricultural and cooperative leaders to serve as board chairmen to help conduct council business. It has also had several prominent Presidents and Executive Officers to lead the organization, staring with Harry B. Caldwell who led the organization for 36 years, starting in 1938. Caldwell’s influence was not only instrumental in founding the organization, but his leadership helped grow the organization to what it has become today. After Caldwell’s retirement, the Council moved its office from Greensboro to Raleigh in 1976. Following in Caldwell’s footsteps to lead the Council were Charles D. Colvard in 1974 and Carlyle Teague in 1982. Jennie Gentry served from 2008 to 2015 and the current is Emily Nail. Since its start in 1935, the Council maintains its original purpose: to promote cooperatives, educate our state on cooperatives and their importance and connect cooperatives in the state. The Council works hard to provide an effective coordination of educational, public relations and legislative activities benefiting cooperatives in our state. Working with leaders across the state, our organization strives to preserve and ensure a thriving future for cooperatives.