Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund

08/25/2025

Dear Federation Family,

In honor of the life and legacy of Mr. Charles Prejean, the first Executive Director of the Federation, our offices will be closed on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, to celebrate his memory and allow staff to participate in his memorial service, either in person or virtually.

Mr. Prejean’s contributions and leadership laid the foundation for much of the work we continue today. We pause to remember him with gratitude.

Cornelius Blanding
Executive Director
Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund

Read John Zippert's tribute to Mr. Prejean>> https://conta.cc/45wH8kf

08/19/2025

We celebrated our 58th Annual Meeting—a three-day event beginning Thursday, August 14, 2025, in Birmingham, Alabama, and continuing through Saturday, August 16, at our historic, Rural Training and Research Center in Epes, Alabama.

This year, we honored Phylicia Rashad as the 24th recipient of the Estelle Witherspoon Lifetime Achievement Award, the Federation’s highest honor.

The theme of this year’s Annual Meeting is “Memorializing Our Legacy.” This powerful theme honors the generations who built, protected, and advanced the cooperative movement across the rural South. Together, we will honor the past, uplift the present, and prepare for the future.

07/01/2025

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🚜 Say hello to the newest addition to our fleet at the Federation’s historic 1,100-acre Rural Training & Research Center in Epes, Alabama — a brand-new side-by-side utility vehicle!

This versatile off-road vehicle will help us safely navigate our forestry demo sites, support prescribed 🔥burns, and transport equipment across the property. Another step forward in sustaining our land and supporting the farmers, landowners, and cooperatives we serve.

A side-by-side (also known as a UTV) is an off-road vehicle built for work!

Look out for it in action during upcoming RTRC events, such as field days and workshops.

06/25/2025

Join us, the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund, in celebration, solidarity, and collective power as we celebrate 58 years of cooperative power and progress during our Annual Meeting in Alabama.

❤️ August 14-16th, 2025

We provide our membership of Black farmers, landowners, and cooperatives across the South with cooperative development, land retention, and advocacy.


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06/17/2025

This year on Juneteenth, we’re proud to share that Kontent Films is offering a free virtual screening of "Farming While Black," a powerful, feature-length documentary that uplifts the legacy, resilience, and leadership of farmers and land stewards across the country.

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund is honored to be featured in the film, which shines a light on our movement for land retention and cooperative development in the South.

🎥 Streaming Date: June 19, 2025
🕛 Available for 24 Hours
🔗 RSVP to Watch: https://bit.ly/3FYLaIb
📖 Learn More: https://conta.cc/3FYRmQm

Click here to learn more: https://conta.cc/3FYRmQm

Email from Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund Tuesday | June 17, 2025 📣 FSC/LAF Community Alert Photo by Kontent Films This year on Juneteenth, we’re proud to share t

06/13/2025

June is Great Outdoors Month! In that spirit, the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund proudly hosts our 28th Annual Forestry Camp at our historic Rural Training & Research Center in Epes, Alabama.

Camp is open to male and female students ages 13-18 from all across the Southern Region.

Campers will:
*Explore the forest while learning about conservation and natural resources
*Receive an introduction to careers in natural resources
*Build life & outdoor skills
*Create meaningful connections

Slots are still available! Apply here https://bit.ly/4jbbpbP

04/10/2025

🌱 Join us in Alabama for Coop Symposium 2025 🌱

During this year’s symposium, attendees will participate in state-based sessions to dig into local policies and challenges facing cooperative businesses. These conversations will help shape a shared set of advocacy priorities to strengthen cooperatives across the South.

By the end of the day, attendees will have: ✅ Discussed pressing cooperative legislative needs
✅ Worked together to build regional advocacy priorities
✅ Gained insights into state-specific policies and strategies to push for more substantial support in their communities

Date: April 25th
Time: 9 AM until 2 PM CT
Location: 575 Federation Road, Gainesville, Alabama

Register: https://www.federation.coop/events/coop-symposium

Together, we’re building the future of Southern cooperatives.

Visit www.federation.coop to learn more about our work.

💪🏾

03/20/2025

The Federation's Mississippi Association of Cooperatives (MAC) hosted the Mississippi Agritourism Summit in Petal, MS.

This event, which was proudly part of the World Farmers Markets Coalition along with Campagna Amica and Terra Nostra of Coldiretti brought together passionate individuals dedicated to exploring agritourism.

During the summit, the coalition engaged in heartfelt discussions on how to support and empower local farmers by incorporating this sustainable business model into their practices.

It was a meaningful opportunity to share ideas and connect with one another in our shared commitment to enhancing the agricultural community.

03/08/2025

📢 Today is International Women's Day! 🎉

International Women’s Day is a global celebration of women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements.

This year, the National Women’s History Alliance has chosen the theme: "Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations." 🌟

This theme honors the power of women in education, mentorship, and leadership and emphasizes their vital role in shaping future generations.

At the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund, we proudly salute the remarkable women who have shaped our mission by leading the charge in cooperative development, land retention, and advocacy.

💜 Their dedication continues to strengthen the communities we serve!

Join us for our 3-part "Living Black History Series" in celebration of Women’s History Month! We’re honoring women whose work with the Federation has been instrumental in advancing the cooperative movement across the rural South:

📌 Dr. Carol Prejean Zippert – Monday, March 24 at Noon ET | 11 AM CT🔹 discussing organizing cooperatives with a focus on credit unions.

📌 Melbah M. Smith – Wednesday, March 26 at Noon ET | 11 AM CT
🔹 Sharing how cooperative development has brought health care, economic opportunity, and social justice to people in need.

📌 Shirley Blakley – Thursday, March 27 at Noon ET | 11 AM CT
🔹 FSC/LAF Board Chair will discuss leadership and its impact on cooperative communities.

✨ Register to learn from these incredible women about their lasting impact>>>https://bit.ly/41OBB6zFSCLAF

02/24/2025

Join the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund for a special three-part Living Black History series featuring our founding members and organizers.

Gain firsthand insight into organizing, cooperative development, and land retention from the pioneers who helped build the movement and shape our work.

🔹 Visit www.federation.coop to register for each session you’d like to attend.

01/30/2025

Georgia Black farmers, landowners, and cooperatives join the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund for our 42nd Georgia Farmers Conference on February 14th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Albany, GA.

Register >>> https://bit.ly/4hymhQG

This exciting event will feature informative workshops, discussions with USDA agencies and FSC/LAF staff, and invaluable networking opportunities with farmers, landowners, and cooperative members from across the state.

Hotel Information
Hilton Garden Inn
101 S. Front Street, Albany, GA 31701
Phone: 229-888-1590 | Reservations: 1-800-362-2779

01/16/2025

Join the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund for a virtual training session on cooperative development. Attendees will be provided an in-depth understanding of cooperative board roles and responsibilities and effective governance practices.

Register here: bit.ly/3PzYZxJ