Editor's note: Jackson won the FFA speaking contest at the 2005 Missouri Institute of Cooperatives. Here we print the speech she delivered for the contest, and as the winner, to the institute's member banquet.

What do Ace Hardware, Sunkist, Dairy Farmers of America, MFA, and your Rural Electric Cooperative all have in common? They would seem to all be different shaped-pieces of a large puzzle. Although uniquely shaped, they are all held together by one major characteristic: each is a cooperative. Cooperatives are grass-roots organizations where the one-member, one-vote rule puts decision-making and direction of the group in the hands of its members. Voluntary and open membership allows the cooperative to strive to meet the economic and business needs of its members. United States cooperatives are such an important part of our country that over 120 million people have become members of 48,000 cooperatives, nationwide. Whether producer-owned, consumer-owned or worker-owned, citizens have the opportunity to be a part of a network of cooperatives in today's economy.

Whatever the purpose of the cooperative, each of them becomes a vital and contributing asset, not just to the members, but to entire communities where they are found. Their effects broaden beyond that, to the larger realms of our entire state and nation. Today we are going to discuss examples of how cooperatives glue the community puzzle together by serving members, promoting democracy and supporting personal development within that area.

First, cooperatives are important community assets. Whether it is the local feed store, electric cooperative or telephone company, when members live within the community, dollars stay in the members' business area.

Since members are the owners, a cooperative exists to fill a need in a community and its interests, so profits and decision-making stay right there.

The cooperative operates for the benefit of its members, providing them with the goods and services they need. Northeast Missouri is privileged to be the home of multiple community-oriented co-ops. When 331 corn producers organized the first "New Generation Cooperative" ethanol plant in Macon County, they began an enormous venture. The result, NEMO Grain, uses 43,000 bushels of corn every day. They buy not only from members, but from any corn producer in the state. Using their electric generator, the plant supplies most of the power required by the city of Macon, a joint venture for the common good of both entities and its citizens.

According to Steve Burnett, CEO, NEMO Grain provided in excess of $86,000 to Macon schools this year. At the same time, it provides 1,900 jobs from the trickle effect of corn, goods and services purchased statewide. We see the pieces of this cooperative interlocking in the puzzle of Missouri's agricultural economy.

Second, cooperatives promote democracy. When my parents' little dairy cooperative combined with a larger one, they were worried that they would lose their voice in the organization. As they became involved with the co-op further, they were reassured that local representatives still served on the boards that make decisions affecting its members. All are elected by the members and take their cues from regional needs, desires and concerns. The co-op membership meets at regular intervals, reviewing detailed reports and electing the directors from local communities. Anyone who works for that cooperative answers directly to the representatives, and in turn, to the members.

MFA Incorporated, my neighboring feed outlet, elects its directors straight from the pool of its customers, further ensuring that its organization will be run to best help its local area. These representatives share the same values and desires of the people they serve, making them better able to decide issues concerning the entire cooperative membership.

In return for the patrons' loyal support, MFA offers $3 million in profits back to the farming communities in which they operate. They also support hardworking young people in these areas by giving 300 scholarships annually to graduating high school seniors.

A third contribution of cooperatives is that they raise human dignity. Owning a home, giving their children an education or making a living through agriculture or any chosen field can be accomplished more easily thanks to cooperatives. Members are empowered when they are able to have a say in decision-making choices. Armed with this ability to effect change, members are able to gain self-esteem as well as prosperity in their chosen occupation.

Cooperatives give members a sense of being involved in something bigger than themselves or their family farming operations. In turn, the cooperative inspires service and efforts, making a difference in lives. A wonderful example of changing lives in communities is our area rural electric cooperative. Not only does it serve 11,500 customers in nine counties, it employs over 40 local workers. As a cooperative, they provide capital credits, which puts money back into members' pockets. More than that, they assist towns with lighting baseball fields, Christmas lights, economic development, community donations and sponsoring four teens on a trip to our nation's capitol.

All types of cooperatives fit into the diverse puzzle of America's economy. They help us process and market products, purchase necessary goods and services, give us needed capital and essentially make our lives better each day. Today I've shown you that cooperatives benefit society through their members, promote democracy on a fundamental level and raise human dignity among their customers. The puzzle should now be solvedÑcooperatives, no matter what kind, enhance all our lives by contributing to the success of our communities.