Cass-Clay Creamery

Cass-Clay Creamery. . The Cass-Clay Creamery was built on site at Bonanzaville in 1984 and designed to resemble a former 1930s creamery from Kenmare, North Dakota. Much of its interior and equipment comes from the Cass-Clay Cooperative Creamery headquartered in Fargo., The end of World War I and lack of available farmland decreased crop values which proved too much for farmers to turn a profit. North Dakota farmers turned toward cooperatives (co-ops) as a method for handling this situation. Locals organized co-ops to provide their own services for product development, and all profits went back to its members. Since the farmers shared a common interest, they pooled their money together and increased their purchasing power. This method decreased member costs and increased potential income. Dairy co-ops also helped farmers manage their representation at the state and national levels to avoid being taken advantage of by large companies. The smaller populations and large distance between towns made the business model of co-ops more efficient. North Dakota co-ops prospered more than their counterparts in other states., (Caption) , Interior of the Cass-Clay Cooperative Creamery, ca. 1934