Each association incorporated under this Part shall have the following powers:

            (1) To engage in any activity in connection with the marketing, selling, harvesting, preserving, drying, processing, manufacturing, canning, packing, grading, storing, handling, or utilization of any agricultural product produced or delivered to it by its members; or the manufacturing or marketing of the by-products thereof; or in connection with the purchase, hiring, or use by its members of supplies, machinery, or equipment, or in the financing of any such activities; or the representation of the interest of its members; or any lawful activity for which any corporation may be formed under the laws of the state of Louisiana. No association shall handle the agricultural products of any non-member, except as necessary and incidental to the handling of the products of the members; and in any case, the value of the products of nonmembers handled, shall not exceed the value of the products handled by the association for its members.

            (2) To borrow money and to make advances to members.

            (3) To act as agent or representative of any member in any of the above mentioned activities.

            (4) To purchase or otherwise acquire, and to hold, own, sell, transfer, pledge, or guarantee the payment of dividends or interest on, or the retirement or redemption of, shares of the capital stock or bonds of any corporation or association engaged in any related activity or in the warehousing, handling, or marketing of any of the products handled by the association.

            (5) To establish reserves and to invest the funds thereof in bonds or such other property as may be provided in the by-laws.

            (6) To buy, hold, and exercise all privileges of ownership over such real or personal property as may be necessary or convenient for the conducting and operating of any of the business of the association or incidental thereto.

            (7) To do each and everything necessary or proper for the accomplishment of any of the purposes or the attainment of any of the objects enumerated in this Part; or conducive to or expedient for the interest or benefit of the association; and in addition to exercise and possess all powers, rights and privileges necessary or incidental to the purposes for which the association is organized, or to the activities in which it is engaged; and to do any such thing anywhere.

            (8) To sue and be sued, prosecute and be prosecuted before any court; and to contract.

            (9) To have perpetual existence, unless a limited period of duration is stated in its articles of association.

            Acts 2001, No. 41, §1; Acts 2017, No. 65, §1.