In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. (1) "Rural area" means any area not included within the boundaries of any incorporated or unincorporated city, town, village or borough having a population in excess of twenty-five hundred persons; provided, however, that a consolidated political subdivision existing pursuant to the Constitution of this State shall be deemed a "rural area."
2. (2) "Person" includes any natural person, firm, association, corporation, business trust, partnership, Federal agency, state or political subdivision or agency thereof or any body politic;
3. (3) "Member" means each incorporator of a cooperative and each person admitted to and retaining membership therein and shall include a husband and wife admitted to joint membership; and

4. (4) "Articles of incorporation" includes the articles of conversion of a converted corporation.

   Corporations organized under this chapter and corporations which become subject to this chapter in the manner hereinafter provided are hereinafter referred to as "cooperatives."