October 2026
This is the 900th issue of Cooperative Living, a milestone that comes as we celebrate our 80th anniversary.
Throughout 2026, we’ve looked back on eight decades of telling the stories of the people and communities we serve — and chronicling the evolution of rural America.
What an extraordinary journey it has been.
This month, we welcome back Richard Johnstone, who served as editor of this magazine and as president and CEO of the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives during a 36-year career. His guest column, along with Deputy Editor Laura Emery’s memories of her 26 years with the magazine, offers firsthand accounts of the people, events and changes captured in these pages.
As we look ahead, we know much will change. Technology will advance. Communities and lifestyles will evolve. The ways we generate, deliver and use electricity will continue to transform.
But some things will remain the same.
The people and communities we serve will continue to depend on their electric cooperatives to power their homes, businesses and local economies. Dedicated cooperative employees — from lineworkers and customer service representatives to engineers, office staff and communicators — will continue doing the often unseen work required to keep the lights on for their neighbors.
And we will continue working together to meet growing energy demand, navigate data center expansion and affordability pressures, and manage an increasingly complex electric grid — while protecting the communities we are proud to call home.
Through it all, Cooperative Living will continue doing what it has done for 900 issues: telling the stories of the people and places we serve.
Eight decades have taught us that many things change.
But our purpose does not.
At your electric cooperative, it has always been — and always will be — about the people we serve.
Brian S. Mosier, President & CEO
Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives