The article describes the development of farmers' co-operatives in the villages around Kranj from its beginnings in the 1890s to World War II. This organised approach to farming that developed in the rural hinterland of Kranj aimed at helping farmers solve their every-day economie problems and attempted to provide for all their needs. In addition to dairy and livestock societies, agricultural co-operative societies (co-ops for the use of agricultural machinery) and pasture co-operative societies, there were also financial co-operative societies, power plant and waterworks societies. The pattern of development of the farmers' co-operative societies around Kranj is in a way similar to the well-known pattern of development of these societies in Slovenia, although the region also has its own specific characteristics. Above all, the co-operative societies had a strong influence on the local economy, resulting in an indirect effect on the area's social and politicai development. Naturally, this was reflected noticeably in the everyday life of the area.