### Question
How does the law define cooperative association?


### Answer
Under *12 U.S.C. § 1141j*, **cooperative association** is defined as:

> any association in which farmers act together in processing, preparing for market, handling, and/or marketing the farm products of persons so engaged, and also means any association in which farmers act together in purchasing, testing, grading, processing, distributing, and/or furnishing farm supplies and/or farm business services: *Provided, however*, That such associations are operated for the mutual benefit of the members thereof as such producers or purchasers and conform to one or both of the following requirements:


First

#### Citation:
  - *12 U.S.C. § 1141j*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 7A-AGRICULTURAL MARKETING**

