Owners of large farms and plantations, particularly coffee plantation owners, usually belong to one or more agricultural associations. The largest of the national agricultural organizations is the National Confederation of Agriculture, but, in general, local member groups of the federation, such as the Paraná Coffee Producers' Association, the Association of Coffee Farmers, and the Brazilian Rural Society, are more powerful than the national organization. Agricultural societies are organized for the primary purpose of promoting favorable legislation toward agriculture in the Congress, and they have become important political units over the years. Other agricultural groups include cattlemen's associations, dairymen's associations, and rice growers' and grain producers' organizations, usually organized on a statewide basis. These are strongest in São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Goiás, and Rio Grande do Sul. Chambers of commerce function in every state.
Most international service, social, and fraternal organizations are represented in Brazil. The Rotary International is well organized in the industrial cities of the south, the Boy Scouts of Brazil and the Federation of Girl Guides of Brazil are active nationwide and there are Lions clubs and societies of Freemasons. The Catholic Church and the growing number of Protestants maintain various organizations. Catholic Action and the Catholic hierarchy have actively addressed themselves to combatting misery and disease, especially in the big-city slums and in the northeast. Brazil has chapters of the Red Cross, Amnesty International, and Greenpeace. Professional organizations exist for a number of trades and interests.