Cooperative Hall of Fame
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Search complete. 17 mentions across 4 episodes found for "Cooperative Hall of Fame".
Oct 8, 2026
Vernon OakesHOST
This program is dedicated to bringing attention to the impact and benefits of the cooperative business model.
Vernon OakesHOST
Today, we continue our tribute to the twenty twenty-six Cooperative Hall of Fame inductees with this conversation with Kevin Steele.
Vernon OakesHOST
Kevin grew up on a farm in West Central Illinois and began his career with a farmer-owned cooperative.
Vernon OakesHOST
He went on to become president and CEO of Keystone Cooperative, where his leadership helped guide the integration of non-cooperatives and transform Keystone into a major agricultural cooperative, serving more than twenty thousand farmer members across Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois.
Vernon OakesHOST
Kevin also served on the broader cooperative systems through twenty-three years on the co-op board, CoBank board, including serving as chair since twenty twenty.
Vernon OakesHOST
He's also been on the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, cooperatives and other agriculture and cooperative organizations.
Vernon OakesHOST
Kevin, congratulations on your induction into the Cooperative Hall of Fame, and welcome to Everything Co-op.
Kevin StillGUEST
Thank you.
Vernon OakesHOST
She has worked to expand financial well-being, reach underserved communities, develop future leaders, and strengthen the broader credit union movement.
Vernon OakesHOST
Crystal retired from GECU earlier this year, and on October the eighth, she will be inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame in Washington, DC.
Vernon OakesHOST
Crystal, welcome to Everything Co+op, and congratulations on this tremendous honor.
Crystal LongGUEST
Thank you so much.
45 MINS LATER
Crystal LongGUEST
[laughs]
Vernon OakesHOST
So on October eighth, you'll be inducted into the Co-op Hall of Fame.
Vernon OakesHOST
I believe that when you started as a file clerk, you didn't say, "Well, someday I'm gonna be in the Cooperative Hall of Fame." [laughs]
Crystal LongGUEST
That didn't enter my mind, no.
Vernon OakesHOST
I'm your host, Vernon Oakes.
Vernon OakesHOST
Today, we continue our tribute to the 2026 Cooperative Hall of Fame inductees by remembering Fannie Lou Hamer, who is being inducted as an unsung hero.
Vernon OakesHOST
Many people know Ms. Hamer as a courageous leader in the struggle for voting rights.
Vernon OakesHOST
Today, we're going to explore another part of her work, the Freedom Farm Cooperative, which she founded in Mississippi in 1969.
Vernon OakesHOST
She understood that the right to vote mattered deeply, and that people also needed food, land, housing, and a way to make a living.
Vernon OakesHOST
Our guest is Dr. Jessica Gordon Nembhard, who's professor at John Jay College.
Vernon OakesHOST
She's author of Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice, and herself, a 2016 Cooperative Hall of Fame inductee.
Vernon OakesHOST
Jessica, welcome and good morning.
Vernon OakesHOST
I'm your host, Vernon Oakes.
Vernon OakesHOST
Today, we continue our special series honoring the 2026 Cooperative Hall of Fame inductees.
Vernon OakesHOST
On October the 8th, the Cooperative community will gather here in DC, a- and we will honor the Hall of Famer.
Vernon OakesHOST
That's Margaret Bau, who's been on, Crystal Long, Kevin Steele, and today's guest, Michael Tolley.
Vernon OakesHOST
He is first and foremost a farmer.
Vernon OakesHOST
He and his wife, Sue, operates T&T Farms with their family in Minnesota.
Vernon OakesHOST
Mike, welcome to Everything Co-op, and congratulations on your induction into the Cooperative Hall of Fame.
Mike ToelleGUEST
Thank you, Vernon.