In these strange and uncertain times, it’s good to remember you can always go plant something.
In 1978, an innovative new worker- and consumer-owned co-op sprouted up in Clinton, Maine, a beautiful little town about 30 miles northeast of Augusta. The co-op offered seeds particularly suited for cold climates. It had 98 orders that first year, all of them from growers and gardeners in its home state.
Today Fedco serves all 50 states, filling more than 24,000 orders totaling more than $3 million annually. We partnered with Fedco early on, and together our co-ops serve our member-owners throughout the Upper Valley every year.
One of many Co-op member benefits is a 20 percent discount on seeds through our annual group order to Fedco. Catalogs are in stores now and the deadline for the group order is February 15.
Fedco sells vegetable, flower, and herb seeds selected for their ability to grow well in northern New England. Because Fedco does not have an individual owner or beneficiary, profit is not its primary goal. Consumers own 60 percent of the cooperative and worker members 40 percent. Consumer and worker members share proportionately in the cooperative’s profits through our annual patronage dividends.
Take advantage of being a Co-op member-owner and take part in this unique cooperative partnership! Catalogs and the Co-op’s special ordering information are in stores now.
Please return the completed forms, with payment, to the Service Desk by February 15, 2025, at 6 p.m. Note: the Co-op does not take orders for the Seedlings or Moose Tubers divisions of Fedco, nor can we accept late orders.
Happy growing!
—Ken Davis, senior writer
