In a typical community supported agriculture (CSA), members pledge to help cover the anticipated costs of the farm’s production for part or all of the growing season. In return, the members receive a portion of the farm’s crops over the period of time specified in the CSA membership agreement, usually summer through early fall. The CSA model allows farmers to get needed capital at the start of the growing season while providing members with fresh locally produced fruits, herbs, meats, …
Phil Kenkel
Bill Fitzwater Cooperative Chair, Oklahoma State University
Prices of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash fertilizers began increasing in 2002 and then increased sharply and reached historic highs in mid-2008. During the 12 month period between April 2007 and April 2008, nitrogen prices increased 32%, and the price of phosphate and potash nearly doubled. The USDA Index of Prices Paid by Farmers for Fertilizer, which reflects all types of fertilizer and has a base period of 1990-92, increased by 216
USDA Rural Development has released the November/December 2013 issue of Rural Cooperatives magazine.
This issue of the magazine features the article, ‘Growing a Cleveland Renaissance,’ on Green City Growers (GCG) cooperative greenhouse. The urban greenhouse, which is owned and operated by its 25 workers, provides new jobs and local foods in a struggling neighborhood. With 3.25 acres of growing area, this large-scale greenhouse raises a number of varieties of high-quality lettuce and other leafy vegetables hydroponically.
The November/December 2013 …
As discussed in the “preferred stock” section, cooperatives can issue preferred stock to both members and non-members. Preferred stock is typically non-voting and has proportional-to-capital dividends. Preferred stock has a senior claim on assets in respect to common stock and liquidation and typically has a senior claim on dividends. Approval rights or performance benchmarks may also be required before the cooperative can redeem common equity. Preferred stock may or may not have a redemption date.
Preferred shareholders may be given …
Madeline Schultz joined the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Value Added Agriculture Program in 2003. Extension provides practical education you can trust to help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future. Madeline provides practical Her agricultural business development activities include cooperative development, business planning, risk management, market analysis and group facilitation. She is Co-Director of the Annie’s National Network Initiative for Educational Success where she helps educators in 36 states offer Annie’s Project, …
Photo by: Daniel Parks
Grain marketing cooperatives are an important part of the U.S. grain marketing system, accounting for over $22B in sales in 2001 (USDA, 2001). The traditional role of these firms was to enable their farmer members to capture economies of scale and size in grain assembly, storage and cleaning. In pursuit of further economies, a system of federated regional grain cooperatives also developed. Under the federated system local cooperatives had the opportunity, but not the obligation, …
Cooperative conferences, workshops and other events allow you to meet fellow professionals, learn about current research projects and explore ways to collaborate with others. Upcoming national or regional Cooperative events include:
2014
February 12 – 14
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 8-11
National Farmers Union
Santa Fe, New Mexico
May 30 – June 1
U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives
5th National Worker Cooperative Conference
Chicago, Illinois
June 9 – 11…
Phil Kenkel
Bill Fitzwater Cooperative Chair, Oklahoma State University
In a recent national project, academic researchers, cooperative managers and members, USDA, agricultural foundations and other stakeholders collaborated to identify the critical issues facing agricultural cooperatives. A two-stage Delphi survey was conducted, followed by expert panel sessions in Washington, D.C. and Minneapolis, Minnesota. The material below summarizes some of the findings from the project.
Numerous studies over the years have identified regular and effective strategic planning as a critical activity for …
Phil Kenkel
Bill Fitzwater Cooperative Chair, Oklahoma State University
In a recent national project, academic researchers, cooperative managers and members, USDA, agricultural foundations and other stakeholders collaborated to identify the critical issues facing agricultural cooperatives. A two-stage Delphi survey was conducted, followed by expert panel sessions in Washington, D.C. and Minneapolis, Minnesota. The material below summarizes some of the findings from the project.
Market Volantility
Wide spectrums of issues both external and internal to the firm impact the competitiveness, stability …
