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“There were not nearly as many families here one hundred years ago” he said. “My grandparents and great-grandparents were some of the original customers.” Membership that Gives Back Co-op' active participation in community giving and local events is another reason for the Wierenga famity's long-time support. Hosting community breakfasts, and sponsoring local events such as Canada Day celebrations, agronomy and technology information sessions — these and many other events help to support and grow the community, benefit local businesses and provide a place to connect. “Our Co-op and its staff help organize and run many community events. It's centralto the identity of the com- munity. We're all owners. We're all in it together," said Wierenga. "It's a place where everyone inthe community can feel at home." Steven DeVries, General Manager at Neerlandia Co-op, expresses a similar sentiment. For DeVries, spon- sorships and events are part of “being a good neighbour" as well as a way for the local community to invest in it- self. Unlike other businesses, 100 per cent of the Co-op's profits stay in the community it serves. “We're all part of a successful business. When people purchase products from the Co-op, they're investing in our own community. Our profits go into building infra- structure, giving back and ultimately building value for members." A Consistently Growing Membership Like many local Co-ops, consistent and increasing membership has helped Neerlandia Co-op grow from humble beginnings to a business that supports major farming operations and communities over 75 kilometres away. MEMBERSHIP MATTERS MORE. It's not uncommon to hear stories of communities com- ing together and working alongside local Co-op team members in both times of celebration and of tragedy. Neerlandia Co-op story is one of them. While a 2013 fire at the Co-op's former hardware store initially proved traumatic for many, the subsequent con- struction of a new multi-faceted store and supply facility added to the community's cohesion. “The fire brought a lot of people together. We've expand- ed our facility a lot,” said DeVries, reîterating the Co-op's trading area has expanded significantly. “We all have our little communities within the community, whether it's à hamlet or a church, but the Co-op brings us all together." For Co-ops across Western Canada, members make sto- ries Like this possible. Membership benefits individual farmers, their families and their wider communities, pro- viding products, services and teams of experts they can trust year-round. CALEB W. Co-op Member AGRO | 19