January / 2001
Commonwealths

Announcing: DOT CO-OP

Later this year cooperatives will be able to have their own Internet addresses on the World Wide Web.

The international body that approves Web addresses, like the well-known .com at the end of a Web site name, has OK'd .coop. The other new domains that will join the existing .net, .org, and .edu are: .aero, .biz, .info, .museum, .name, and .pro.

Paul Hazen, president and CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association, which submitted the request for .coop, said the decision "will give cooperatives instant recognition on the Internet and help consumers find the businesses they trust online."
The .coop domain will be restricted for use by approved cooperative businesses. There are more than 750,000 co-op businesses in the world, including credit unions and food and electric cooperatives, with some 725 million members.

For more information visit the National Cooperative Business Association Web site at www.cooperative.org.

Farm safety manual
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has made a second printing of its new Farm and Home Safety Plan. The 16-page planner gives families the tools to establish a personalized plan for emergency situations. The plan covers topics such as equipment operation and maintenance, chemical storage and containment, and medical histories of family members and employees. The publication can be obtained by contacting the Kentucky Department of Agriculture at (502) 564-4696. It also is available online to all Kentuckians through the department's Web site at www.kyagr.com.