Northwest Agricultural Cooperative Council (NWACC) was created in December of 2017 with the merger of the Agricultural Cooperative Council of Oregon (ACCO) and the Washington State Council of Farmer Cooperatives (WSCFC)
NWACC is the professional organization of farmer–owned businesses operating in Washington and Oregon. NWACC advocates on behalf of agricultural cooperatives and provides education about cooperatives to high school and college students. In addition NWACC funds scholarships for college students studying agriculture.
Professional development is a key part of the organization. NWACC helps coordinate educational programs that benefit cooperative directors, management and employees.
As part of its advocacy role, NWACC works closely with lawmakers and government agencies on issues that impact cooperatives and their members.
Founded on June 20, 1921, ACCO (or Oregon Cooperative Council as it was called then) was the first state cooperative council started in the United States. It served as a model for other state cooperative councils and for what is now the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.
Founded in 1936, the Washington State Cooperative Council, predecessor to the WSCFC, was housed at the Western Washington Experiment Station at Puyallup. A handful of founding members are still active or have successor organizations that continue to thrive as members of NWACC.
