Marketing Coops

 

 

Colorado Resources

New Mexico Resources

Regional Resources

Organizations and Web Resources Lists

Feasibility Study Information

Challenges, Benefits and Limitations of Coops

Legal Considerations for Coops

Marketing Resources for Coops

Processing Cooperatives

Funding Resources

 

 

*Each resource within the Four Corners will be marked with an asterisk

 

See also:

 

 

Colorado Resources

 

*Rocky Mountain Beef Cooperative

This article tells the story of Colorado ranchers who joined together to form the Rocky Mountain Beef Cooperative.

http://cals.arizona.edu/AREC/wemc/westernprofiles/7%20rocky%20mountain%20beef%20coop.pdf

 

New Mexico Resources

 

*Farmer Co-ops Key Element in Effort to Help Hispanics and Pueblo Indians Build Sustainable Communities

Through a strong partnership of northern New Mexico producers, community development leaders and agricultural professionals, a promising mix of small-scale farming and value-added enterprises is emerging and reconnecting the community to its agricultural resources.

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/pub/aug99/boost.htm

 

*Select Milk Producers, Inc.

Select Milk Producers, Inc. was formed in 1994 by a group of large dairy producers with high quality milk and efficient dairy farm operations. Their common goal is to provide the highest quality product in the market place and do so with the highest level of service.

www.selectmilk.com

 

Regional Resources

 

*Rocky Mountain Farmers’ Union: Cooperative Development Center

The Rocky Mountain Farmers’ Union operate the Cooperative Development Center to provide services and assistance to farmers exploring new member-owned marketing and processing opportunities.

http://www.co-ops.org

 

Organizations and Web Resource Lists

 

National Council of Farmer Cooperatives

Since 1929, NCFC has been the voice of America's farmer cooperatives. Members are regional and national farmer cooperatives, which are in turn comprised of nearly 3,000 local farmer cooperatives across the country.

http://www.ncfc.org/

 

Organic Valley

Organic Valley serves small farmers and rural community health by combining two alternative business models - the family farm and the cooperative.

http://organicvalley.coop/

 

Feasibility Study Information

 

Cooperative Feasibility Study Guide

This guide has been designed to assist agricultural cooperatives in completing a feasibility study. Rather than being a complete handbook, this publication presents the important elements to consider when conducting a feasibility study.

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/pub/sr58.pdf

 

Challenges, Benefits and Limitations of Coops

 

Agricultural Cooperatives in the 21st Century

This report identifies challenges and opportunities facing farmer cooperatives in the years ahead and offers strategies to increase their chances for success. The external forces besetting cooperatives are examined as are their internal strengths and weaknesses.

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/pub/cir-60.pdf

 

Cooperative Benefits and Limitations: Farmers Cooperatives in the United States

Successful cooperatives can benefit their farmer members and others in many ways. But even the most successful cannot be all things to all members. Understanding the more common benefits and limitations of cooperatives will help clarify their role in American agriculture.

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/pub/cir1sec3.pdf

 

Coops 101: An Introduction to Cooperatives

This report provides a comprehensive summary of basic information on the cooperative way of organizing and operating a business.

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/pub/cir55/c55text.pdf

 

The Role of Cooperatives in Community Development

Cooperatives have the potential to foster economic growth at the community and regional level, building on the spirit of cooperation that is already prevalent in rural areas.

http://www.uwcc.wisc.edu/info/uwcc_bulletins/bulletin_09_02.pdf

 

Legal Considerations for Coops

 

The Farmer’s Legal Guide to Producer Marketing Associations

This book looks at some of the issues raised when farmers decide to work together. The book is focused on legal issues, yet it also looks at some of the business fundamentals and marketing issues farmers need to consider as they approach a producer marketing association.

http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/articles/obrien_producermarketing_book.pdf

 

Marketing Resources for Coops

 

Collaborative Marketing: A Roadmap and Resource Guide for Farmers

A resource book that features Minnesota farmers engaged in successful collaborative marketing efforts. Includes resources used by the farmers and overviews of collaborative marketing concepts. 

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/businessmanagement/DF7539.html

 

Rural Cooperatives Magazine

Rural Cooperatives is published bimonthly by Rural Development, Business and Cooperative Programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/pub/openmag.htm

 

Processing Cooperatives

 

Five Questions to Ask Before Joining a New Processing Cooperative

Several factors make a new venture processing co-op membership decision complex. The following questions should help you make an informed decision

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/agecon/farmmgt/ec1108w.htm

 

Should I Join a New Processing Cooperative?

This article helps analyze the short and long-term financial impacts of joining a cooperative. The article guides the reader through an analysis of their unique personal and business goals and how those goals may influence a decision about cooperative membership.

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/agecon/farmmgt/eb67w.htm

 

Funding Resources

 

Please see:

  • Financing for general resources to help fund agricultural marketing ventures.