Cooperatives are designed to meet the common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations of a group. Making sure the group’s values and cultural dynamics are honored is fundamental to successful cooperative development; this makes the co-op model attractive to many groups, including the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF).

Growing up, we all remember visiting the local pool or water park. Lifeguards blew a whistle warning us to slow down as we dashed to the refreshing water on dangerous slippery, molten-hot concrete.

But today’s pools, water parks and splash pads are much safer thanks to companies like Life Floor.

Erik Martinez, Sr. and his wife Ana immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico about 30 years ago with the dream of making a better life for themselves. They settled in Napa Valley in the world-famous wine region where Ana found work in hospitality and tourism and Erik began working at a winery.

Though living expenses in this area are high and money and opportunities are limited, Erik and Ana settled into a trailer where they raised four children.

A few years ago, Ana learned of a local organization called Our Town St. Helena which helps families like hers become homeowners.

The journey to homeownership is often filled with anxiety, unknowns, frustrations and eventually excitement as you move into your home. For Shalyn Janis, this journey began in 2018. She had been trying to buy a home for a while when she heard about USDA’s Native Relending, or 502 Direct Loan program.

“I tried everything possible to get a house. Then a coworker told me about Mazaska’s program,” said Shalyn. “I applied and I just kept going forward with everything they asked me to do and just kept being positive about it.”

Elizabeth Brewster grew up in Paradise, California. After a time away for her career, she knew she had to come back to the place she called home – a home that had been in her family since the 1960s.

In 2018, tragedy hit. The Camp Fire, the deadliest fire in the history of California, decimated the town of Paradise, taking with it the Brewster’s family home.

First responders are often on the front lines of health care, and their impact to rural communities has been immeasurable. For Lisa Fensick of Seaford, Delaware, this impact drove her desire to become a nationally registered Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT). 

“I became a firefighter and EMT, volunteering my time,” Fensick said. “All day long and all night long, I would ride on the ambulance or in fire trucks. Firefighting is one of the most exciting things in the world. And being an EMT is the most rewarding thing.”