Agricultural Cooperatives: Economics, Opportunities and Structure in a New Era of Food, Fiber and Fuel

The structure, focus and business environment of agricultural cooperatives has changed dramatically over the past twenty years. This project, "Agricultural Cooperatives: Economics, Opportunities and Structure in a New Era of Food, Fiber and Fuel" identified critical issues and opportunities facing cooperatives and the agricultural community that they serve. Academic researchers, cooperative managers, cooperative members and other stakeholders were involved in this timely and important effort. The program focused research attention on the future of cooperatives. The steps of the project are as follows:

Step 1 -- Expert Panel Meeting -The St. Regis Hotel Washington, D.C. August 4, 2011
A panel meeting of cooperative professionals and experts were convened to identify challenges and opportunities facing agricultural cooperatives. The panel identified critical issues and research needs, and explored strategies to increase the competitiveness, stability and success of cooperatives. In addition to the expertise on the panel, which included key individuals from industry, universities and government, the panel gathered input from a wide range of stakeholders Themes examined by the panel included:

1. Finance
2. Strategy
3. Governance
4. Communicating the Value Package
5. New Cooperative Development

View the agenda
View the attendee list

Step 2 -- Papers by Specialists
Papers published in Choices magazine define critical issues and focus research needs. Choices is an online peer-reviewed magazine published by the AAEA for readers interested in the policy and management of agriculture, the food industry, natural resources, rural communities, and the environment.

View articles: http://www.choicesmagazine.org/choices-magazine/theme-articles/critical-issues-for-agricultural-cooperatives

Step 3 -- Follow up Panel, St. Paul Minnesota, November 3, 2011
Following the initial panel meeting and the papers, representatives of the Expert Panel re-convened in conjunction with the Farmers Cooperative Conference and the NCERA-210 Cooperative Research Committee to share the results of the panel’s efforts and to expand the discussion with a diverse audience of industry professionals and researchers.

For registration information click here: http://www.uwcc.wisc.edu/outreach/FCC/FCC2011/program.html

Step 4 -- Webinar Challenges and Opportunities for Cooperatives and their Producer Members
Following the panel meetings and papers we conducted a national webinar summarizing the panel’s efforts. The webinar provided an opportunity for further stakeholder involvement.

Webinar

We would like to thank the following individuals for their contributions to the project:

Finance Co-Chairs: Dave Barton, Kansas State University and Mike Boland, University of Minnesota

Contributors: Mike Meisenheimer CPA, Lindburg Vogel Pierce Faris Chartered, Mike Hechtner Regional Manager CoBankTerry Barr, Senior Director of Industry Research, CoBank, Amy Gales, Executive Vice President CoBank Regional Agribusiness Banking Group., Denis Blick Vice President and Regional Manager, CoBank, Jeff Stroburg, CEO, West Central Cooperative, Fabio Chaddad, University of Missouri and Eldon Eversol, USDA Rural Development

Strategy Co-Chairs Mike Boland, University of Minnesota, Greg McKee, North Dakota State, and Mike Cook University of Missouri

Contributors: Karen Grabow Senior Vice President, Business Development Services & Government Relations, Land O Lakes , Lyndon Johnson Vice President Business Solutions CHS, David Peters, CHS National Account Director Barry Kriebel, President, Sun-Maid Growers of California Inc. Julie Hogeland, USDA Rural Development, Phil Kenkel, Oklahoma State University

Communicating the Value Package Co-Chairs: Jennifer Bond, Colorado State University and Sanjib Bhuyan, Rutgers University

Contributors: Chuck Conner, President and CEIO, National Council of Farmers Cooperatives, Karen Grabow Senior Vice President, Business Development Services & Government Relations Land O Lakes, Phillip Miller, VP and Controller, Southern States Cooperative, Sarah Dorman, Communication Specialist - West Central Cooperative Todd Schmidt, Cornell University, Tom Gray, USDA Rural Development, Brian Henehan, Cornell University

Governance Co-Chairs: Greg McKee, North Dakota University and Brent Hueth, University of Wisconsin

Contributors: Rod Kelsay, Executive Director, Mid America Cooperative Council, Bill Wilson, Farm Credit Services, Ken Nobis; Chairman of the Board, Michigan Milk Producers, Phil Kenkel, Oklahoma State University, Fabio Chaddad, University of Missouri, John Park Texas A&M University, John Wells (USDA RD)

New Cooperative Development Co-Chairs: Brian Henehan, Cornell University and Ann Reynolds, University of Wisconsin

Contributors: Mike Carpenter, Energy Recovery Group, LLC, Kate Smith, Executive Director of the Keystone Development Center, Ralph Paige, Executive Director Federation of Southern Cooperatives, Kevin Edberg, Executive Director, Cooperative Development Services Chelsey Simpson Oklahoma Food Cooperative, Shermain Hardesty, University of California Davis, , Madeline Schultz, Iowa State University, John Dunn, NCBA, Bruce Reynolds, USDA Rural Development, Tom Gray USDA Rural Development

Other Contributors
Tim Daughterly, Land O Lakes and Anne Reynolds, University of Wisconsin

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